Working hard or hardly working?

What’s the right balance between work and non-work time? The traditional 9-5 has slowly disappeared with the emails and zoom and texting going far beyond traditional business hours. We asked members of our community to share with us how they think about work-life balance.

When I acquired Life’s Short Picnic, I knew there would be no work-life balance. I had to rebuild from the ground up, creating systems and processes that had never been in place. There was a long list of tasks that needed attention to ensure we could deliver the best service possible. It demanded my full focus, and days turned into months before I even noticed. This intense pace continued for almost two years as I worked to build the business, establish efficient systems, and develop the team and infrastructure that drive our success today. Read more>>

I think I probably have even less work/life balance now that I’m writing full time than I did when I worked full-time in media, but it feels very different because I’m working for myself. As an editor at various lifestyle publications, I often felt resentful when work spilled into my off hours. I think that’s because I didn’t always love what I was doing. As an author, I am so in love with my work that I often have to force myself to stop working. I feel very lucky! Read more>>

During college, my work-life balance was almost nonexistent, despite my professors emphasizing its importance. I was so focused on pushing myself to achieve the best results that I often prioritized work over everything else. While this dedication helped me grow and refine my skills, it wasn’t sustainable. Now, I’ve realized the value of maintaining a healthier balance. Although I still work hard, I make a conscious effort to ensure that work doesn’t take over my life or mind. I’ve learned to set boundaries and create space for hobbies, relationships, and relaxation. Read more>>
