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.

Judy & Hannah Orbanosky | Furniture Restoration Artists

My first career was education. I was consumed by the many hours that were required of a teacher, a principal, and a district administrator. Much of my life during my first career had no balance. I retired in 2022 and knew that I still needed to be productive. I wanted something that would give me the flexibility to be more present with my family. I started flipping furniture as a creative outlet that allowed me to decorate our home with unique pieces. Read more>>

Brenda Rowe Plasz | The NOVA Collective Director of Operations & Founder, The Good Karma Place

I believe achieving work-life balance is a goal that most of us aspire to, but it can be challenging. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of climbing the corporate ladder, earning money, and raising children. For many years, I held a senior vice president position in corporate America while being a single mom to a teenage daughter. However, after going through a divorce and facing a serious health scare, I had to reevaluate my priorities and make changes for the well-being of both myself and my daughter. Read more>>

Emily Knight | Fine Artist

Balance can be an illusive thing when it comes to life and work. Seasons of life call for more or less and this constant Balance is a beautiful word and an ideal concept. To be maintained, intentional awareness and ‘just right’ influencing elements. A rock balances on a cliff when all factors of placement, weight, connection and environment allow it to do so. So while it looks effortless, its balance occurs because things are just right. Beautiful, but devastating if the balance is upset. Read more>>