A host of factors, developments, and dynamics have made most industries more competitive than ever. As a result so many of us wonder whether there is still such a thing as work-life balance. We reached out to the community to hear perspectives on finding the right balance.

Carolyn Yoo

Rather than viewing work and life as separate elements to balance, I see them as part of a holistic cycle that ebbs and flows. I look toward nature’s cycles and seasons as models for managing my energy and time. I am learning to accept that I will have periods of high output and periods of rest, just as there are different phases of the moon or seasons with varying moods. Thinking of my energy management in cycles helps me work with my natural tendencies rather than fight them. Read More>>

Claudia Frommenwiler

As I gained more experienced academically and professionally, and as I matured, my work-life balance improved significantly. In the early days of my career, I was eager to take on as many projects as possible. I had a strong desire to learn and expand my knowledge rapidly, even if it meant missing family gatherings or exhausting myself. However, over the last ten years, I’ve learned to maintain a much better work-life balance. Read More>>

Mario Sanchez

My balance has changed dramatically . I find myself spending 16 hours a day working on the production side of my music and half that with practicing my djing. I think there is balance in every aspect of life that you or me participate in and too much of something can lead to too little of something else. I try to take breaks from music and enjoy other things like photography, helping out on short films and martial arts. Read More>>

Shawn Levi

As I get more deeply involved with business, I’ve had to learn how to take care of myself better and better. I have to be more efficient with my habits and my time or else things wont get done and I’ll face the consequences down the road. I’ve had to take action regardless of how I feel, become more organized, and follow a set structure I’ve made for myself more and more in order to maintain health, balance, and peace of mind.  Read More>>

Cudimitsu

I didn’t realize how much I needed to sacrifice to truly dedicate my life to what I’m most passionate about. My work is my life. My passion is my lifestyle. Music is my first love, its constantly in my head, and I don’t know if I could be away from it even if I tried. Read More>>

Juliet Johnson

I think about this constantly. Balancing art, work, and life often feels a slippery and wriggling puppy always jumping out of my hands. As a multiply-disabled artist, my body often forces me to prioritize care (rest, bathing, eating, etc) in a way that has composed my life very differently than I once imagined.  Read More>>

Elias Benavidez

For the longest time, ambition was the premium fuel in my tank. If my foot wasn’t firmly pressed on the pedal, I wasn’t doing enough. If I wasn’t driven to write the next hit television show or great American novel, I was failing. After all, the entertainment industry was founded by hustlers, built by hustlers, and if I weren’t hustling like the hustlers before us, did I even stand a chance? It wasn’t until March of 2020, once the world stood still, when my perspective on balance started to expand. Read More>>

Tricia Maldonado

Work-life balance is incredibly important to me, especially as a parent to two young children. It’s something I consciously prioritize each week to ensure I’m present both for my family and my clients. Before scheduling any meetings or events, I carefully consider how they will impact my time with my family. I structure my calendar to allow for evenings spent taking my kids to their sports and activities, and if I have a busy event weekend, I make sure to be more available at home during the week. Read More>>

Jessica Hayes

I love this topic.

Ten years ago, I was obsessed with taking 0n as much work as possible, as often as possible. When you go into the performing arts, you are often given the message that you are a “dime a dozen.” You are told that you’re going to have to accept being scrappy— to me, that meant taking on loads of work, frequently, often for less than minimum wage… and being grateful. Read More>>