Do you remember that before the pandemic, everyone clamored for a better work-life balance? Some people thought that a 4-day workweek would solve the problem. Others wanted the employer to offer daycare, dining areas with included food, and other in-office perks. A camp proposed going remote full-time or at least some days of the week. The latter got their dream scenario for almost two years, starting in 2020.
We all went fully remote and tasted the sweet flavor of sleeping one more hour because we didn't have to commute. We could also work in our pajamas, have unlimited coffee breaks, and focus more on our job. Or so we thought. People quickly realized they were forcing themselves to be hyper-available to their bosses and colleagues. Others had so many interruptions during the day that they had to work later than usual. Suddenly, working from home became the new "toxic work-life balance."
So, what should we do now? Where can we find the elusive work-life balance that the self-help gurus talk about? Let me present you with my theory.
Work-life balance is the wrong concept. We may have yet to find a solution because we're chasing a false problem. Perhaps life is not about balance but finding the correct imbalance for specific times and situations.
Let me explain what the heck I mean by "correct imbalance" because I know it sounds funky. First, it means pouring yourself entirely into the task at hand, whether writing headlines for a campaign or playing basketball with our kids. That should be a given, but often we stray from one task to the other because we are bored or feel guilty (examples: 1. I should stop working on this because I haven't spent time with my kids today. 2. I should read and answer this work e-mail even though I promised my wife to spend time with her).
So, the correct imbalance starts with absolute focus. The second step is to stop dissociating your work from your life. This one is going to sound heavy but bear with me. If you are in the creative field, your personal life and work should be intertwined so closely that they are indistinguishable.
Yes, all the 24-year-old Instagram influencers tell you things like "you are not your job" or "your work doesn't define you." I only agree if you don't care about success, impactful work, or having a meaningful career. Otherwise, your work should be a major part of your life.
Now, you can do whatever you want with your career, but here's how I deal with mine: I don't work as a creative; I am a creative. It's not my job; it's my life. Everything I do is related to that. I see the world through the lens of my craft. I don't flip a switch at 6 p.m. and become someone else. When I'm not writing advertising copy, I'm writing personal essays about things that matter to me. When I'm not making client videos, I'm recording music videos with my daughters and their dolls. I plan and execute personal art projects when I'm not doing client photoshoots. My work is a reflection of myself, and I am built up by my work.
So, back to the point: what about the so-called "work-life balance"? Nothing. My work and my life exist in the same bucket. My personal life informs my creative style. My work shapes the way I see the world. They feed on each other in a symbiotic relationship. Sometimes my personal life is a remora, and my work is a shark. Sometimes is the other way around. Does this mean that sometimes I spend way more time working than doing other stuff? Yes. But it also means that sometimes I must clear my schedule to be with my family. Don't expect me to answer your work call during my daughter's birthday. Hell, I won't take my laptop on my vacation. And I won't send an explanatory e-mail apologizing for the "limited connectivity" that I will be experiencing. I'll let you know that I won't be available in any way.
This is the imbalance I'm talking about (I call it "pragmatic imbalance). "Balance" means 50/50, but real life can't be split that way. Meaningful things require lots of time and effort, which often means putting projects aside for a moment.
The purpose of living a life of pragmatic imbalance is to achieve a greater goal in the long term: a life of meaning. A life that you can look back on and see significant achievements, healthy relationships, and a happy family.
My challenge for you is to analyze your definition of "work-life" balance and judge if that is the right strategy to stand out from the crowd. Will working fewer hours help you hone your craft?
You and I know that creative endeavors take time and effort. So, unless you are "a creative" only from 9 to 5, by all means, work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, from a tropical paradise. But if your goals are ambitious and your dreams are huge, consider living a life of meaningful imbalance.
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