Our community is filled with hard-working, high achieving entrepreneurs and creatives and so work-life balance is a complicated, but highly relevant topic. We’ve shared some responses from the community about work life balance and how their views have evolved over time below.

Avonne Hogan | Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor

I am still learning how to balance, but it has gotten much better over time. Balancing being a mother of 3, working, and building my career has been challenging but it has gotten better along the way. Change is always uncomfortable but when it is for the best, I will do what’s necessary to get any and everything done. Read more>>

Avari Suber | Fashion designer

I currently attend college and manage my apparel business on the side. It was difficult for me to manage the two, so I had to formulate a plan. I taught myself how to master time management. I create an agenda every week and a daily schedule. I prioritize the time I spend on my academics. I balance the remaining time to manage my apparel business, workout, and spend time with my family and friends. My balance is productive because I accomplish the goals that I set every day. I feel that if I continue to keep a balance, I will be a successful entrepreneur someday. Read more>>

Liam Gildea | Photographer

My work life balance is always relative to what is going on in my life. When I was still studying at school it was fairly easy to keep a well rounded schedule because i was surrounded by my creative peers at the same time as creating work, it was nice to be able to bounce ideas off of one another and to be inspired by each others thoughts. Now that I am in post grad, making photographic work is slower until I can afford to have the space for my own resources (dark room, scanning setup, printer) but I continue to photograph through my everyday life, stacking my pile of undeveloped film. Read more>>

Haoyang Sun | Cinematographer&Colorist

I think life and work balance is dynamic, and adjusting your mindset and expectations about how you approach work and life is key. Work stress is for the most part well documented, especially after a few years on the job. For the movie industry, the summer will be the busiest time of the year, while the winter will be more relaxed. So every year I have to adjust my mindset, routine, hours, etc. as we approach summer. For example, I plan to start working more hours every day, and I adapt my routine to begin exercising and sleeping regularly. All of this will prepare my body and mind for even more significant challenges. Read more>>

Colleen Lippert | Celebrity Publicist and Owner of Anchor Publicity

I used to work 24/7. I’d sleep with my phone next to my pillow and I’d check my email several times throughout the night. I learned quickly that this was the direct path to burning out. I’m getting better at setting boundaries – closing at 6pm, not taking work calls on weekends, etc. I have a running joke with my clients – “unless you’ve just been nominated for a Grammy, you’re bleeding or you need bail money, it can wait until the morning.” As much as I love my job, I do need to have some uninterrupted time with family and friends. Read more>>