Work-Life Balance doesn’t exist.
We have to stop using the word. It immediately forces a dangerous and inaccurate trade-off.
There is only your definition of success. And the work-life harmony you create around that.
There are four burners in life – Community, Friends/Family, Professional, and Personal.
And there will be intense seasons on every burner.
Stop hunting for rainbows. Balance is a myth. The only people who look like they have balance, built that life on a series of imbalanced sprints.
As Shane Parrish said, “In a world that seeks balance, progress comes from imbalance.”
I have my rules:
Order the healthiest thing on the menu (with double the protein) at business dinners, Only 5 “sugar” days per month (goodness I love february).
Marc Randolph had his Tuesday Night Rule. I love that.
I have my core metrics:
1. Nights that i’ve had supper and bedtime routine with my daughters – that 5-8 timeframe is precious.
2. Extra Curricular activies I’ve made it too (Hockey and Skating – And last night, on my way back from Pictou, I made it for the last 15 minutes of skating. And it was great, because my daughter had hit her head, she was in pain, and wanted a daddy hug. I got to give her that
3. Family Moments (Experiences) – Paris and London soon (Our family is going with my aunt Evelyn Bannister, my cousin Tracy, and her three kids). Ireland in the summer
4. Quarterly Couples Retreats and Monthly/Weekly Checkins with Emily Dugas
5. Run 100 miles a month (this one has been tough and I’ve fallen short a few times lately). Healthspan (defined by VO2 and Grip Strength)
6. Recharge Time (two think weekends and one time away with friends – Can’t wait for the Ireland/Scotland golfing adventure this summer with my Irish mates from my time in Korea).
And then I have the burner that is on HOT.
That is professional right now. As we work to help transform other businesses and our own, AI has taken centre stage and requires a lot of my time to learn it, integrate it, and speak about it.
I keep the rest on warm by booking the non-negotiables.
But I’m imbalanced right now and spending many hours on the professional side. And I’m excited to be doing it as we grow a purpose-driven portfolio of companies and support the region on AI integration.
Stop chasing Balance.
1. Define Success by the four burners.
2. Execute on that plan.
3. Adjust if you’re not getting what you want out of life.
Naval Ravikant once said “The only real test of intelligence is if you get what you want out of life.”
