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.

Janie Herron | Holistic Health Coach

I am a small business owner with 3 kids. My work life balance today looks drastically different from how it did before I had kids. It’s much more difficult to know when to prioritize work, family, fitness, nutrition, friendships and so much more. I no longer have the luxury of going to the gym for an hour 5x/week then watching tons of Netflix at night. I have to find balance between gym and home workouts. I have to find balance between helping my clients and taking care of my family. I have to balance responsibilities with my personal time. Read more>>

Jeremy Sharp | Commercial photographer and cinematographer

I’ve learned to stop basing my personal value on accomplishments and accolades. That only promotes an environment where we place our self-worth in the hands of others. I no longer strive to maintain relevancy or notoriety, but find my success in doing the best job possible regardless of how glamorous or exciting the project is. The majority of my projects come from recommendations by existing clients. That’s how I measure my success now. This allows me to spend more of my time when I’m not shooting, to focus on my home life. Having two young children, one of which who has special needs, means that I need to be present mentally and emotionally for them to be healthy. Being there for them is job number one. I feel very lucky that I am able to work around their needs, and still tell compelling stories for my clients. I know not everyone has that flexibility, and I don’t take it for granted. Read more>>

Thomas Welch | Business Owner – Home Birth Center

I think a proper work / life balance is critical to success. Of course, it’s also probably important to first define success. I don’t see success as the acquisition of wealth or fame. Nor do I think it’s about power and rank. Success is all about your personal life. Someone said, “the business of life is the acquisition of memories; in the end, that’s all you have.” You might think that not having a wife and children means you can just focus on work and certainly without a family, more of your time can be focused on work. But make no mistake, if you forsake the development and management of your personal life, you are lacking a critical aspect of success. Read more>>

Carley Washington | Electrical Engineer and Baker

My work life balance has changed tremendously. I have been a full time Electrical Engineer for about 2 years, and I started my business about a year ago, next month. I would consider myself a workaholic for sure. I never stop thinking about what I can do to help my efficiency at work and for my business. Its been hard for me to say no to certain things, because I just want to do it all!
After starting my business I quickly learned that I needed new ways to stay organized and that sometimes I do just need to say no. Whether that may be taking a weekend off to enjoy time with friends, or do a little self care.
Balance isn’t easy but it is so important, especially when it comes to mental health. I strongly believe that my best work comes when I make sure to feed my mind and body. Read more>>