We had the good fortune of connecting with Bruce Pulver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bruce, how has your work-life balance changed over time?

I don’t really believe in work/life balance. I believe its pursuit is futile and leaves many casualties in its wake. My experience has proven that a focus on work/life balance puts undue demand to keep all life plates (family, faith, fitness, finances, etc.) spinning at the same speed and intensity. When I have tried to attain this kind of synchronization, nothing performs at a peak level and everything suffers somewhat. I grow frustrated and often resentful, especially when the area that needed more attention during that moment suffers.

Instead, I have developed a mindset I call work/life “rhythm and tempo.”  This concept comes from my music background. Rhythm and tempo are key elements making music feel good. It’s what musicians call the “groove”. Here is how it works. There will be times when one aspect of music (and life) needs more attention than others.  Maybe a little more intensity, time, commitment, volume, and energy. That plate needs to be featured more prominently in the flow of life.  That plate needs to spin faster or it may be important for that particular plate to spin in a smooth manner so it doesn’t fall and shatter. Examples include a business deal that can help the family financially, an important event, a concert, a tournament that builds family strength and unity.  It could mean making time to support an important and meaningful project for a spouse or being there for a parent or relative.

The other plates must spin more slowly or more quietly or in some way sustain with less attention than the priority plate. The key to making life rhythm and tempo work is in the communication with family, business partners, and other members of your life who are impacted by these times of adjustment.

Personally, being hyper-focused on paying attention and adjusting the rhythm and tempo to the dynamic needs life offers, has proven to create a more positive professional and personal life journey that supports my mental and physical wellness in life.  I call it finding the JOY in the JOurenY (if you look for it, it’s already their J-O-Y).


Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My life journey has needed a machete to cut the path and some ointment to treat the cuts and wounds along the way. Like most folks, my life has taken some twists and turns.  Healthcare Information Technology is where I started right out of college after completing studies in Business and Music.

I have grown, evolved, been pushed, and pulled to become an Author, Speaker, Encourager, and “WORDshop” leader who speaks about mindset and the impact of our words on driving the outcomes we achieve.  I say that God molded (and continues molding me) through a series of life and career setbacks that have required many comebacks. My professional time now is dedicated to public speaking, writing, podcasts, and conducting my “WORDshop” events.

What stays top of mind through these challenges is that I developed a belief that “Life happening FOR me and not TO me.” It was through these career and personal path adventures that I began a daily journal. Well, really just journalling a single word.  I then paused to recognize the meaning merely by using its letters and what emerged was a positive message to lead my day.

Here are some examples:

STRONG became Stand Tall Remain Optimistic Now Go for it,

FAITH became Facing Anything Insurmountable Trust Him.

CALM became Catch A Little Moment

The writing became a book that led to speaking about the power of our words in affecting our mindset, actions, and results.  A TedX talk followed along with podcasting, global keynote speaking, and WORDshop events.

There was nothing easy about this transition or transformation. After 25 plus years in the same industry doing sales and client relationship work, the hardest part was believing that my story and my message would impact others in a positive way. I desperately wanted to make a difference. What I learned through my challenges begged the question “would these lessons mean anything to others and help change lives?”

My journey has shown me that we are all going through something.  We all have struggles, some degree of self-limiting beliefs, and we often question ourselves.  We also have unique GIFTS (God Installed Features To Share). We were born completely enough with all we need inside of us (some assembly required). If we step into these gifts, develop them then share them with the universe, we will indeed find our purpose to become all that God intends us to be.

My deepest desire is that my story touches one person and encourages others to reach into their potential, find their purpose, and pursue it to the fullest. There is nothing better than a life being lived using one’s unique GIFTS.


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Well, our guests are here for five days and it would all start with a Saturday morning breakfast in OUR kitchen. Brigette is an amazing chef and the breakfast would get us all started. She has several breakfast specialties so the choice would be up to the guest. She makes insane breakfast casseroles Sausage and Egg, Potato, and cheese. Maybe the selection would be her famous Egg in a Nest. I would have to offer my custom secret beverage concoction called the “Bloody Bruce”.

With the morning properly “pre-gamed” we would head to downtown and pick from two of these options: College Football Hall of Fame, The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, or High Museum of Art. Of course, lunch would break up the venue visits and without question, we would go to the Steamhouse Lounge for the Crab Dip, Steamed Clams, Raw Oysters, and a Frogmore Skillet. Can’t forget the Goombay Smash to quench the thirst.

After a recharging nap, we would head to Eclipse Di Luna on Miami Circle for an amazing Tapas meal. Small plates to share and the Grapefruit Martini or Sangria are definitely in order. Might hang for the live Salsa dancing before calling it a night.

Rise and shine. The next day we head to the White House Diner on Peachtree Rd for breakfast. For 70 years, The White House has served local business leaders, after church families, and is one of the best meet-up places for the AM crowd.

Let’s head over to the Battery for a Braves game. Must arrive early grab whatever we choose at the moment for a drink or meal before or after the game.

Up for a little golf. While there are many choices, we play at the gem of the newly recreated Bobby Jones Golf Course. The perfect setting for golf and great views of Midtown. Of course, we grab a BBQ sandwich at Boone’s restaurant after the round.

That evening the Atlanta United Soccer Team plays under the stars with the Mercedes Benz Stadium dome opened. The energy and passion (strike that) the obsession of the United fans is a can’t miss an evening of fun and excitement.

If we haven’t worn out the guest, the next stop will be a hike at Kennesaw Mounting with a stop first at Goldberg’s for some bagels and coffee to go. What trip to Atlanta is complete without seeing and hiking the Kennesaw Mountain battlefield. It’s a Southern thing, Right?  Speaking of Southern, we swing by the Varsity for lunch (what’ll you have? what’ll you have?) the perfect meal before the afternoon nap.  Up for a late afternoon adventure to that Atlanta Beltline. Ponce City Market for some shopping, breweries, and maybe a concert at the City Winery.  As the trip winds down, we have one more day. How about a trip to Lake Lanier and renting a houseboat for the day? We prep some food to cook on-board (Steaks or Shrimp to grill). A cooler of beverages and grab some Spotify playlists for a day at the lake.


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thanks to Brigette Pulver, my wife, life partner, mother to our children, and co-creator of the Rhythm/Tempo method of managing the balance of life. She is the JOY in my JOurneY and my life encourager.

Website: www.abovethechatterourwordsmatter.com

Instagram: Above_The_ Chatter_ Bruce_Pulver

Linkedin: @Brucepulver

Twitter: @abovethechatter

Facebook: Above_the_Chatter_Bruce_Pulkver

Youtube: Bruce Pulver

Image Credits
Steve Gallegos (TedX picture credit)

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