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.

Grace Patterson | Actress, Writer

My dad always told me that the secret to life was balance. I have always been bad at it! I grew up dancing on competitive teams, on my drill team, and then became a college cheerleader and then a professional cheerleader. My life has never had balance! Eight hours of dancing a day for ten years was not balanced! Every time I start something-I make it my entire life. With acting, I have realized that balance is more important than ever, If I am not happy in my personal life- the camera sees it. When I take time to rest, hang out with my family, and slow down, I am much happier which makes my art better. I am finally learning balance and I now understand my dad’s advice. It really is the most important thing. Work hard but don’t forget to rest and have a life outside of your pursuits. Read more>>

Kaye Freeman | Artist

Interesting questions. I never thought of what I do as a business until around ten years ago. Probably because as a young woman growing up in the seventies, becoming an artist or owning a business wasn’t even a speck of an option. Being fluent in Japanese meant my only choices were to be a bilingual secretary to a CEO of a large corporation. This kind of thing really impacts your psyche. Now I’m in a position where I’m branching out with merchandise I call ©AngelDNA that you will be able to purchase from my website. I want to make things that are beautiful and life affirming because I think that’s what the world really needs right now. In my art I highlight the beauty and horror of life in a way that hopefully makes my viewers and clients think about how precious it is to be alive. Read more>>

Stephanie Sim | Animation Writer

Work/life balance has been an ongoing struggle for me, but it’s so important. I’m still finding the right recipe. I’ve certainly found what DOESN’T work. In the past, I viewed my body as an antagonist, always getting in the way of my success. It was frustrating that I had to eat, had to sleep, had to mentally rest. I’d fight it and push my productivity as far as I could, as if I could wean myself off of having physical needs. Spoiler alert: it was terrible! Now, I’ve accepted that the body is an essential part of the self, not an unfortunate side effect of being alive. It’s helped immensely—go figure! I’m still figuring out the rest of it. Sometimes I feel unfulfilled in my work, so I hole up with my computer and write for a month. Read more>>

Jennifer Hwang | Ambitious Business Owner

Work life balance and how it has changed… I went from being as capricious as the wind to balancing bricks on round stones to finally trying to deep root a tree to grow strong and tall. I am a mother, an unmarried wife, a daughter of 1st gen immigrants, and I am an entrepreneur. Balance is chaotic. Sometimes taking a breath is easily forgotten. I find having a support system, big or small, helps to make it feel easier, even though it isn’t. Balance, to me, doesn’t ENTIRELY mean having your shit together or being instagram model perfect. Balance is when the bills are getting paid, the house isn’t falling apart, your child is getting a childhood and you’re being a health dose of involved, you keep in touch with family and friends at least once in a blue moon, you make time to have a conversation or two to catch up with your significant other, all of this while building your business and making it grow while staying afloat. Read more>>

Selena Lucchese | Professional Dancer

I can relate to how a work/life balance can be a challenge, especially as a dancer. Turning 26 in August was a turning point for me where I started to view life differently. I’ve always believed in the importance of having a life outside of dance which became clear once I graduated high school. As a child, I missed out on many typical experiences like birthday parties and movie nights with friends because I was always so dedicated to dance. Lately, I’ve felt a strong need to stay busy and work in various areas. I’m striving to establish myself as a professional dancer in the industry, which is a demanding journey. Additionally, I’ve been working at my parents Italian restaurant immersing myself in the service industry to gain more experience. Read more>>

Patrick Record | Photographer

My work life balance has really changed over time. When I landed my first photojournalism job as an intern at the Daily Inter Lake in Whitefish, Mont., I remember I’d spend my free time making photos. I’d make some photos for the local brewery, or photograph a local band or a high school game. If a friend needed a second shooter for a wedding, sure I’d give it a shot. I enjoyed it, I was learning the art. Everything was about finding a photo opportunity. Today, it’s a lot different in that I really want to protect my personal time now that I have a family. My time with my wife and 19-month old daughter is so valuable. Read more>>

Chinwe Ohanele | Passionate attorney, visionary creative, and innovative business strategist

My perspective on work-life balance has evolved significantly over time, with a growing emphasis on health and well-being. When I first started practicing law, my focus was primarily on building a successful career, often at the expense of my personal life and well-being. The legal profession can be demanding, with long hours, high stress levels, and a culture that sometimes glorifies overwork. However, as the years have passed, I’ve come to realize the importance of a healthier work-life balance. I’ve seen the toll that chronic stress, burnout, and neglecting one’s physical and mental health can take on lawyers and other professionals. I’ve also seen the impact it can have on the quality of my work and my overall happiness. Read more>>