What’s the right balance between work and non-work time? The traditional 9-5 has slowly disappeared with the emails and zoom and texting going far beyond traditional business hours. We asked members of our community to share with us how they think about work-life balance.

Ethan Kotel | Audio Engineer & Producer

I have, at various times, worked upwards of 90 hours a week on my business. No matter how much you love what you’re doing, this is never sustainable. Understanding your own limits and working towards ensuring that you are taking care of your mental health and engaging in pursuits unrelated to your business is paramount as a small business owner. I now have a much healthier work/life balance, and find that that enables me to think more clearly and in a much more focused form about both my business and personal goals. Read more>>

Nick Irvin | Musical Artist

When I started taking producing and DJing seriously, I was so fortunate where success was finding it’s way to me very quickly. I was working a job where I could set my own hours and I thought that would be perfect because it would let me work on music as much as I wanted. I realized that in the long run that this wasn’t going to work. I applied at the most corporate job out there (nothing fits the rebellious style of Electronic music better than working for the man!) and I found out I had to utilize and manage my free time better after how much I was working. When I was working for myself, I was messing around way too much because I had this sense that I had all the time in the world. I made more progress in my music two months at the new job than I had a year at my old one! Also, a tip for other artists… You don’t need to be working on your art every minute when have free time! It’s ok to take breaks. In fact, I encourage it! Taking just a week, or even a few days off can reset your mind and give you clear insight to what you’re feeling stuck on. Read more>>

Dr. Elise Rigney | Entrepreneur, Chiropractor, & Owner of Impact Chiropractic

This is a question I am asked by many other women in our industry. How do I start a family and continue to grow my practice simultaneously? How can I be a present mom, wife, daughter, sister, etc but still kick ass in my career? It’s almost like we think we have to choose one or the other? You don’t. You can choose for your schedule and future to look different than what your parents, mentors, bosses, have told you. I own multiple businesses, am a wife and mama of three littles (6, 3, and 10 months) and a Chiropractor! I have found that building a team with incredible women has been a game changer for me. Our team cares for our patients and it allows the pressure to be off of me as a solo doctor. I’ve realized that I don’t need to be the person “doing” everything and that I can ask for help in most areas. Intentionality with my time has also helped . I time block my schedule so when I’m at clinic, I can focus fully on my team and patients. Read more>>

Sam Paul | Singer/songwriter

I spent five years working for myself as a music teacher/freelancer — I think I hoped that avoiding a “regular” job would force me to be more actively involved in my music. But a little over a year ago I started working for a giant corporation, and even though the work itself is considerably more like a weight on my chest, the security that it provides has been important, and recently I’ve felt as productive as I’ve felt in a long time. Existing is pretty hard. Unfortunately, it’s probably significantly more difficult when you don’t have reliable income and health insurance etc. Sometimes it’s cool make art from a place of being extremely financially insecure, like the art is your only anchor, and without it you might literally die. But also sometimes you turn 30 and have like a breakdown or two and you get a day job. And maybe that’s okay too. Read more>>

Laura Resau | Author of Books for Kids & Teens

Early on in my career as an author, I let writing take over my life, stealing time from family, friends, and other creative pursuits. When we adopted our son from Guatemala thirteen years ago, I realized that I needed a better work-life balance. In the months before he came, I painted my formerly blood-red writing studio a soft sea-green for his nursery. My excitement over his arrival was mixed with panic as I realized I’d no longer have a “room of my own” to write books in our little two-bedroom home. On impulse, I bought a silver 1950s trailer from Craigslist (named Peachy after my great-grandmother) and fashioned her into a driveway writing studio. After our son came, I hired babysitters to spend a few hours each day with him in the house, while I worked in Peachy. He was still close– I was able to pop in and out of the house to say hi, but there was still a useful boundary. Read more>>