Please stop talking about work-life balance.
The only people that I know that have “balance” have so over the long term because of a series of imbalanced sprints.
Think about your life:
Education is a focused sprint where basic skill acquisition normally comes first.
For a while sports or arts may take over your life where a focused sprint allows you to build competency and participate at the level you want or are capable of.
Then perhaps the early stages of your career where focus on how to show up, be valuable to the organization, and progress takes centre stage.
Then, for some, partnership and family come into play. I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old. My mornings and evenings look very different and I wouldn’t trade those moments for the world.
On the other side, your parents or close family members and the needs in their last laps will bring another season of life that may require cycles.
All the while you’re building habits, that once built, aren’t as onerous to keep up with – health, nutrition, professional skills that pay you well without the same level of effort, etc… – that serve you in this life.
But at some point, everyone realizes that balance is a myth. (Here is 30 seconds from Alex Hormozi you won’t regret watching: https://lnkd.in/grr8Ejr3)
Even the word itself is loaded – As soon as you say balance, you’re creating a measurement in your head and depending on your last day or week, you’re going to find a reason it is off-kilter. (Thanks for the graphic Shane Parrish)
You have to decide for yourself, what season it is and then give an unequal amount of time and energy, WITHOUT Guilt.
Embrace JOMO – The Joy of Missing Out!
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Eric Schmidt argued that startups succeed because of a relentless work ethic, something he believes Google lost by prioritizing work-life balance over winning.
And if you’re going to take something form 0 to 1, it is going to require a significant investment of time, brain power, and other resources.
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And so here is the paradox you face as a business owner:
What are you offering?
At netflix, you’re going to advance 10 years in 2 years. You are part of a high-performing sports team. But it is all work.
And that’s okay. I admire their clarity and their zeal.
Some will stay for a season, a reason, or a lifetime.
At Symplicity we’re a village. We walk through the seasons of life with our team.
But even in our village, our growth plans are developed around the clarity of the four burners, where your current focus is, and the flexibility/autonomy to give energy to make their lives better in one of those burners…
Wellness & Contentment comes from living an intrinsically motivated life. One that aligns Purpose Enables Mastery, Embraces Autonomy, and is anchored in a community you respect.
Enjoy your Sprints! They are what bring energy and meaning to a life well lived.
And as a business owner get clear on what you’re offering.
