24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week. Junior investment bankers regularly work 80-90 hours a week. Many other high profile professions require the same level of commitment. Often those on the outside claim that working 80-90 hours a week is bad/wrong/terrible/silly/etc but we’ve spoken with so many folks who say working that much has been the best decision of their life – it allowed them to develop a deep and strong skill set far faster than would have been possible otherwise. In other words, by working 2x the hours, they were able to generate 5x or more the rewards. And depending on where you are in your career, investing heavily in your skills and competence can pay dividends for a long time.

Kayla Solomon | Trumpet Performer and Educator

Early in my career, I had the belief that if I wasn’t constantly working, I would fall behind. This often led to burnout, which resulted in guilt because I could not seem to complete all the tasks I wanted to. As I’ve grown as a person and a musician, I’ve learned that taking time to do things other than work actually make me more productive and more successful when I do start working on projects. Read more>>

CC Oronoz | Full Spectrum Doula

My work/life balance has changed drastically over time. I am the primary caregiver of my children and I work for myself so it is not easy dividing up my time. As I sit here writing this one of my children is hanging off of me! Lol. So while I am able to make my own hours to fit my needs as a parent, it is hard to still find time to devote to my business and my children.
It’s definitely never balanced! It’s never 50/50, it’s always 80/20 or 70/30. Read more>>

Tiger Darrow | Music Producer, Songwriter, Musician

To be your own boss, you have to be a bit of a workaholic to make ends meet–especially in the creative world. That said, there’s definitely a balance that takes some trial and error to come find. When I first quit my day job to be a full-time producer, I worked almost around the clock. I’d work until the wee hours of the morning to meet deadlines, which would either leave me with 4-5 hours of sleep until I’d finally crash and need to sleep until about 2pm. My diet was very poor, I left myself no room for exercise, and I would hardly get time to socialize with anyone other than my roommates. Read more>>

Zuzanna Gerulewicz | Portrait, Commercial and Wedding Photographer

Balance, what is it? Haha there’s no balance in my artistic life. But I like it this way! Ever since I remember it’s been pretty chaotic: from traveling a lot, photographing different projects to sitting and editing in front of my computer. I move around a lot for work and when I have an opening of free time, I try to use it for personal traveling so I feel like I’m always on the go, no matter if it’s for work or pleasure. This is something that works for me and that brings me joy. Read more>>

Ann Liu | Artist & Gallery Manager

Art is my life and I work in art, so in reality there isn’t too much of a balance for me. I wouldn’t really ask for or imagine it to be any other way. I’m also a Capricorn so I can hustle like a maniac so I sometimes struggle with being present. Read more>>

Iva Perez | Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapist

The narrative behind work-life balance is tiring! As women and mothers we tend to constantly feel like juggling all the balls up in the air no matter what. And that’s quite a stressful and tiring way to live! Plus, here’s a little secret: Life is not always 50-50 so being ‘in balance’ does not exist in my viewpoint. Read more>>

Catherine Tolentino | Business Owner

In the beginning, it was difficult for me to find a work-life balance. Running a business can be all-consuming. I wanted to do well, so for a long time, I prioritized the business over everything. Today, I have a more flexible outlook on work-life balance. Read more>>

Vanessa Marquez | Creative Director & Intuitive designer

Nothing makes you understand balance better than being knocked entirely off it. Sometimes life makes you find out the hard way, and my hard way was the ad agency life. No one really preps you for what work is actually like. When you get started in your career, you’re so excited that you just want to dive right in, so you say yes to everything. Read more>>

Brayden Massie | Record Label Owner and Producer

My work life balance has drastically changed a lot over time, especially in the last 10 years. During this time period, my life has been more about work than “life” simply because these last 10 years have been massive building blocks to my future (College, Grad School, business owner etc.). There have definitely been times where the “life” aspect has dominated my time in the past, but it has definitely been in the minority in terms of where my balance usually lies. Read more>>

Maddie Wagg | Motion Design & VFX

I am a strong proponent of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. My perspective on this was shaped by my experience transitioning from the Australian work culture to the American work culture. In Australia there was a prevalent focus on achieving a healthy work-life balance, which allowed me without effort to strike a wonderful equilibrium between productive work and personal time. Read more>>

Mikara Reid | Personal Style consultant

Balance for me is extremely important before I even started a business. Having too much of something gets me uninspired or not excited about getting started. As a person in the creative field, you have to be aware of what triggers you, moves you or challenges you to execute a final product. Thats the thing about being a creative, you have to take a break and not burn yourself out. Read more>>

Ashley Mejia | Mom & Non-Profit Co-Founder & President of MAEVE Burbank

Balance is something I feel like everyone strives for, but it is a constant struggle to achieve. It has changed for me because for the past six years I have been a stay-at-home mom to my two awesome kids (almost 6 and 3 1/2) and for the past three years I have been on the Executive Board of MAEVE Burbank. I have recently taken on the role of President and I am learning the various aspects of how to manage everything we offer to our community and being so actively involved can be challenging. Read more>>

Johnnie Taylor Trujillo | Dancer, Fire Eater, Comedic Chef

Work/life balance has been my theme this year actually. I like to say I’m finally becoming “human.” When I first moved to LA to pursue a dance career all I ate, drank, slept, and breathed was dance. Now as I’m gaining knowledge in other areas of my life, I’m learning that isn’t the healthiest approach.
I try to listen to my body and mind as much as possible and be realistic with myself and what I need. Read more>>