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Dangerous Advice About Work Life Balance

Writer's picture: Brian SharpBrian Sharp


"If you want to do great things, there is no balance."

 

This was the sentence in a recent LinkedIn post from a thought leader in tech that really got me thinking. No, it got me pissed off.


In my opinion, for many this is not just wrong, it's dangerous advice.

 

Perhaps this struck a chord for me it's because this concept is something I've struggled with most of my career and feeling guilty I'm finally prioritizing better balance in recent years. Perhaps it's because within the last 4 weeks I've seen 2 people close to me under the age of 30 tragically pass away, when they didn't have to. Perhaps it's because I personally understand the pain and pressure of struggling with mental health challenges, being a leader and high performer in endless pursuit of "great things".

 

I'm not going to argue any else's experience, this may be the formula for success for him and others. I just want to let those that read things like this to know that there is a different way.

 

For the ones that are burned out, exhausted, frustrated and maybe even losing hope they can hold it together. The ones "killing themselves" for their company because they are committed to "great things". The ones struggling with anxiety and depression behind the scenes but keep grinding away anyway. The leaders feeling the endless burden and pressure of taking care of their teams but not taking care of themselves.

 

I think there's a different way to be great, better way. I think…

 

 " If you want to do great things, there has to be balance"

 

I didn't arrive at this conclusion because I have it all figured out. I arrived at this because I messed it up for so long. It caught up to me and I paid the price. My health, my happiness, and yes, my work.

 

Actively finding balance is hard work for me every week because I love working hard, I love achieving, I love doing great things. But, I love my life, wife, family, health and happiness more. I've decided that I want both and while it's not easy - I can say I'm feeling and performing the best in my life (and career) BECAUSE of better balance.

 

In that post, he said we need to be honest. I agree:

  • We need to be honest about mental (and physical) health in our country and how it's killing us, literally

  • We need to be honest about the science behind high performance and change the narrative of what it takes to be great. Michael Gervais, Rich Roll and Cal Newton

  • We need to be honest about the data behind working from home and that it is the right decision for many employees and companies

  • We need to be honest about how we take care of our teams and the investment we make to help them feel and perform their best.

  • We need to be honest that you can choose what kind of culture/company you join to do great things.

 

So for those leaders and high performers that are burning out and/or struggling with mental health in the pursuit of great things - there is a better way - and just working harder is not the answer.

 

I hope you know you are not alone, nor are you faced with a binary decision to be great or be balanced.

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