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.

Renetta Amador | Script Supervisor / Director

I find work/life balance incredibly important. In the film industry often our hours average 75+ a week. that’s almost 2x more than the average non-industry individual. the burn out caused by this can be really detrimental to not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. I have had to learn that i need the downtown, in between projects to recharge instead of going from film to film as i used to in the early days of my career. i plan more travel, and make working out a priority now. Read more>>

Art Zapata | Writer & Registered Nurse

When I was younger all my energy went into my passion. That being said, being a father of two boys I never let my passion get in the way of my priorities, being a father, having a day job that would provide medical insurance and a consistent cash flow, (Registered Nurse). Once I took care of that aspect I would write in my spare time. I would get up at 4am or start writing after a he family went to bed. Now that I’m older and my sons are over 18 years old I seek mental and physical health and balance above my writing , because without that I would not be in a good headspace to be creative. Read more>>

Emily Choy | Wedding photographer

Over time, my approach to work-life balance has transformed significantly. Initially driven by a relentless pursuit of success and improvement, I found myself immersed in a constant cycle of work. However, experiencing burnout prompted a crucial shift in perspective. Slowing down and being intentional about the projects I take on has become a deliberate choice. This shift allows me to approach my work from a place of inspiration rather than obligation. I now prioritize quality over quantity, understanding that constant busyness doesn’t necessarily equate to a fulfilling life or quality work. Read more>>

Laura Fuller | Somatic Therapist and Educator

I used to have something that felt like balance within my work. For many years, I spent half of my time doing somatic therapy and half of my time running my kids programs. This gave me a sort of balance. I could do deep trauma work with people and then go jump on a trampoline with a group of 4 year olds. I was witness to the most difficult things that can happen in life. But also to learning, progress, excitement, growth and the pure joy of aliveness. When lockdowns happened, I was so grateful to have the skills to help. I was able to go right into full-time trauma work via Zoom. Often, for 13+ hours a day. Before the pandemic, through my own healing and learning, I was feeling the best I had ever felt. Read more>>

Alysha Aiello | Mental Health Therapist, LCSW

My perspective on work-life balance has changed a lot over time. When I was in grad school and training to be a social worker and therapist, there was a lot of emphasis on making sure you engage in “self-care”. However, when it came to action, the mental health field often perpetrated a culture that was quite the opposite. In grad school I found myself trying to balance a full time job, unpaid internships, graduate school and homework, while also trying my best to be social. Looking back honestly, I don’t know how I even had enough hours in the day for this. While it was a necessity to balance work/internship/school at the time, I did not even consider I would be stepping into this career already burnt out and tired. Read more>>

Natalia Ortega | Actress

I used to be a workaholic and just always go, go, go. Without sleep, sometimes without eating, whatever it took (I thought) to move forward in my career. I spent several years worried about being perfect (spoiler alert: it’s impossible). I wanted to act, write, dance, take classes, go to all the parties, paint, exercise, be a good friend, have the perfect hair, the perfect everything. I was betraying myself and neglecting my body, convinced that one day I was going to be good enough. Until I finally realized that I had to love myself in order to be good enough (for myself). Read more>>

Milani Rivers | Musician

Working in music can feel like a constant job. Whether creating songs or pitching myself, I find it hard to separate Milani, the musician, from Milani, the person, at times. Since music is my career and passion, a steady balance is hard to maintain. I think it’s important when working in something you are passionate about to find ways to continue to enjoy the art. When everything I do is for music as a career, it can begin to feel stifling to do what I love. To combat this, I go to a lot of live music and concert events because it allows me to be a part of music, separate from my own work connection. Read more>>

Karin Skiba | Artist & Curator

Balance has been tricky but essential since I have been a college art professor for 40 years and a professional artist as well. I began to exhibit in 1975! Maintaining a studio practice has been vital and goes without question in my daily life. My passion is art, my dedication to teaching has been in art, and my well-being involves constant attention to creativity. Now that I am no longer teaching but involved in a community arts center in the Joshua Tree area as the gallery director, that balance comes into play once more. Read more>>

Jessie Fowler | Entertainment host, videographer & photographer and professional entertainer

It’s interesting working in this industry as it is also my ‘life’. My friends, relationships and future are all intertwined with what I do for a living. I’ve found that seeking balance in the beginning I was trying to separate the two and fight the fact that everything i do is very much intertwined. I’ve accepted that my personal life can be intertwined with my life as an entertainment host while also being connected to my life behind the camera as well as on stage dancing. So instead of seeking balance in separating it all, I’ve found the balance in my attention and time invested in myself and what I value personally. Reinventing this over time was stressful and dramatic at times but I am at a place now where I do have a lot more balance because of how I’ve defined this for myself. Read more>>

Sakina Ibrahim | Author | Artist | Social Entrepreneur

Work-life balance has evolved for me over time, adapting to the changing demands of life. As we progress through different seasons and face varied challenges, finding time for my wellness practices—such as prayer, meditation, working out, and cooking at home—has become more challenging. While I used to prefer dedicating an hour to a fitness class or gym session, I now often find myself squeezing in a 20-minute walk during breaks or 20 minute full body workout on YouTube. I’ve consciously adopted a mindset of doing my best each day without judgment or frustration when I don’t achieve a perfect balance. Some days, I successfully commit to my wellness routine, while others may be considered a failure. I view these setbacks as opportunities to learn, identifying habits that need adjustment to align with my goals and restore a sense of balance. Read more>>