24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week. Junior investment bankers regularly work 80-90 hours a week. Many other high profile professions require the same level of commitment. Often those on the outside claim that working 80-90 hours a week is bad/wrong/terrible/silly/etc but we’ve spoken with so many folks who say working that much has been the best decision of their life – it allowed them to develop a deep and strong skill set far faster than would have been possible otherwise. In other words, by working 2x the hours, they were able to generate 5x or more the rewards. And depending on where you are in your career, investing heavily in your skills and competence can pay dividends for a long time.

Nelson Bonilla | Professional Story Teller & Creator of Backyard Worlds

For most us it is a constant battle to focus on what truly matters. There are so many aspects of life fighting for our attention and energy. If I’m not careful I can find myself lost in past decisions or obsessing about what I want the future to look like. All the while missing the gift standing in front of me. I believe mindfulness leads to stillness which leads to vision. Once I’m able to see than I can have a balanced approach to whatever is front of me. When your mind, body and spirit are properly balanced, you are much better equipped to handle whatever the acting world can throw at you. Read more>>

Mike Smith | Visual Artist & Educator

How has my balance changed over time? I take a lot more me time. Lol. We have been conditioned to think that if we are not working we aren’t being productive or getting enough work done. When I was younger, I, like many others, subscribed to the thought that I had to always be grinding. While in college, I worked full time and went to school full time. On top of that, throw in trying to start and learn a business and how to navigate that industry. I was burned out plenty of days. Now that I have been full time in my career for a few years, I’ve learned that if I do not take the time to mentally, physically, and emotionally recharge, I won’t be good for anyone including myself. My advice to anyone is to take at least a day where you do nothing at all. Taking it a day at a time, you’ll start to learn to create space for yourself. Read more>>

Morgan Forcey | Content Creator

Since I’ve become more entrepreneurially-minded throughout my young adulthood, balance is always something that i’ve struggled with. From the time that I started my creative career at 16, I can remember taking on every shoot I could schedule and missing out on a lot of things that might have otherwise contributed to my personal growth. Though this taught me to be a hard worker, I put a lot of pressure on myself at a young age (and still do 8 years later). I would find myself replying to client requests in the middle of the night, because I was so eager to get another shoot on the books. I realized this never worked, because I didn’t have the rest and conscious mind I needed to figure out a good balance for my schedule. For me personally, having a good work-life balance means being able to come home at the end of the day and not dread the next venture. Read more>>

Rochelle Sodipo | Creative Director

I don’t believe in balance. The idea of achieving balance has permeated our minds and our online diets for a long time now. The way balance has been explored and dissected has left me with the (admittedly cynical) opinion that it only appears either by a miraculous occurrence or by sheer will. Achieving balance feels like a neat trick like “pick a card, any card”! I do, however, believe in harmony. A harmonious existence is a well cultivated, orchestral-like dance. It arrives at the intersection of the right partners, the right music, the right atmosphere, and the right moves. One cannot simply remove some weight from the atmospheric element and add it to the musical element and voila “balance” appears! No. One must endeavor to work so that every element: personal life, family, business, friends, etc. are all working in concert together. Read more>>

J.LeVar Bryan, Sr. | CEO

Over time, I have realized that there are too many factors that play a role in work-life balance. To create that balance, here are some questions to consider: — What does your family situation look like? — Do you have kids or not? — What does your support system look like? — How demanding is your job? Your business? — Where are you mentally and emotionally when it comes to valuing sleep? Me time? Time with friends and family? — Do you have a significant other’s schedule and time to consider? — What’s your definition of productivity vs being busy? There are many other thoughts to consider, but these are a few that come to mind. Once you’re able to realistically answer those questions, you can begin the process to make a plan for your work-life balance. I’ve also learned that this plan has to be extremely flexible for all the unknowns you will encounter. Read more>>

Tamlin Hall | Nonprofit Founder & CEO

I’m blessed to have two sixteen-month old identical twins boys. They’ve shown me that I’m a much better father than business person. Before they entered our lives, I didn’t plan any family time around work. I planned work around work. I’m deeply proud of my wife – she runs a very successful company – so we have to balance our schedules around the boys. There’s specific times of the day that I have to block out for the boys. They need me. It took a miracle for them to arrive so I have to honor through gratitude and respect. Someone told me that you become a master at time management when you have kids. That’s the truth. You have to be efficient, nimble, and open to evolve. Read more>>

Sheryl Mays | Chief Learning Officer, Lean Transformation Specialist, Speaker, Author & On-air Personality

I used to believe in work-life balance; but now, I understand it is impossible to achieve a level of balance. Balance is defined as “equal distribution”. You can’t achieve equal distribution in all areas of your life. Not even in two areas of life. When you attempt to do so and are unsuccessful you find disappointment, quilt, anxiety, remorse and stress. Then the negative chatter, or one might use the term “inner critic” surfaces and you have created a negative mindset. So, let’s be clear that a goal of balance is impossible. My studies and practice helped me understand there has to be a work-life integration. We operate in seven areas of our lives. Career, financial, spiritual, social, mental, family and physical. I have learned to use my skills, talents and gifts to achieve a level of success in all areas. Read more>>

Andrea Jones | Creative Journeyer

The first time I was interviewed by Voyage ATL I was a salon owner in Buckhead.. I was trying to balance my creative pursuits (stying and coloring hair) while learning how to stretch myself into becoming someone who can structure a budget and keep a business organized! In February of 2020 my life changed drastically and I am now a full time mom! I’m learning how to let go of my sense of physically producing to be worthy and learning what patience and unconditional love means. As a female in the feminist era I have found that you don’t get a ton of respect as a stay-at-home mom, but let me tell ya sis, it’s not for the weak. Before my change of status my balance looked like meeting up with my husband and our friends after work, having drinks, lots of social time.. Now it’s more like reading a magazine during his naps to “numb out” for a bit or going on walks for some fresh air or maybe even meeting up with friends at a park for some adult conversation! Read more>>