A host of factors, developments, and dynamics have made most industries more competitive than ever. As a result so many of us wonder whether there is still such a thing as work-life balance. We reached out to the community to hear perspectives on finding the right balance.

Mallory Ostrander | Family and Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

Work life balance… I am constantly examining what my priorities are and making sure I am fully present where I am. Before I started Mallory Christine Photography, I was stay at home mom with newborns and before that, I was a teacher. When I was teaching, it was a little easier to have that work life balance because I started teaching before I had kids. As time has passed and I’ve had 2 beautiful daughters and started my small business, this question has become more complicated. When Mallory Christine Photography started, my husband and I sat down and discussed what “our time” would look like. Read more>>

Josh Emerick | Video Producer | Mentor | Husband & Father

As a creative I find balance to be an interesting subject. I’ve lived on both sides and I think the real answer lies in determining your values, setting direction, and working with intention. I grew up blue-collar and value hard work, so early in my career, I gravitated towards a mindset of endurance and somewhat suffering until a handful of situations created health issues and I started growing and realizing I was a leader responsible for others too. About 7 years in this really started clicking that my mind and ability to solve problems with strategy was more important than my raw ability to outwork a situation: enter work-life balance. Read more>>

Jessica Hughey | Photographer & Hairstylist

From owning 2 small businesses and now being a new mama, I can definitely say that I have struggled a lot about how to keep a balance of work and life….. The biggest thing I have come to learn is that balance isn’t my goal anymore…. it’s alignment. After lots of coaching and A LOT of trial and error and lack of alignment with my businesses and personal life, I was able to shift my perspective to really dig deep and decide what I want from my life and for my family. That was to be someone who’s job could make others feel joy while also giving my best to my family. Read more>>

Davide Saraceno | Illustrator & Designer

This is a topic that I care about deeply, one affecting most freelancers / creatives today. When I started my career in 1999, combining my first freelance jobs with my studies, I was driven by an “uncompromising” passion and motivation that pushed me to throw myself into projects even at the cost of neglecting a healthy lifestyle, social relationships and, somehow, even my rights as a professional… When you love what you do, the lines between work and life can quickly blur. Read more>>

Jordan Scott-Benson | The Ebony Chandle

Work life balance haha what does that look like. My balance changes as often has life changes because my focus has to shift depending on what takes priority at the time. I often know when I am lacking a balance in a certain area(s) because I start feeling lack of or overwhelmed when most times everything is on time or completed. I have a lot of things going on along with my business atm (at the moment), I often times feel I am lacking balance in my business. Read more>>

Evans Kwesi Mensah | Educator and Author

Work life balance has become a buzz word far more than practiced. Without sounding perfect, because, of course, I have made some mistakes, however, through such mistakes, I’ve been able to control my family, social life and work related activities into a component, where each is tackled almost one hundred percent but in its separate bucket. I am a family man and a present father to my three boys, attending each’s sports games and various academic activities, at the same making time for friends and loved ones, while executing my consulting work with tact and diligence. The secret is calendar management. Read more>>

Sheli Baez | Bilingual Voice Actor

Being in the Corporate world for a large portion of my professional life subconsciously taught me to always be going full throttle as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. Once I became self-employed I had to teach myself to set boundaries and honor the restful moments. I also decided a few years ago that I didn’t want to be defined solely by my profession so, I learned to sew as a hobby. Having an activity I enjoy doing that is completely unrelated to my career has allowed me to learn different skills such as critical thinking and even some math. Surprisingly, those skills translate to my career and have made me better at my profession overall. Read more>>