Life / Work Balance - My Approach
“You will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life”~ Heather SchuckIn the realm of creativity and passion-driven professions, the concept of work-life balance is often nonexistent. I’d recommend shifting your perspective of “work-life balance” to one that favors “life-work balance”. The distinction is made when you stop adopting the idea that we are human beings enslaved to the workforce, with time to live our lives once work is finished. Instead, recognize that we are human first, experiencing life as our default, but allowing work to be a part of our human experience.
It is the alignment of life and work, mixed with an embrace of intense focus and purpose that will transform your life and creative endeavors, just as it has transformed mine.
Intense Focus
In the fast-paced world of creative work, the ability to focus intensely for a defined period can yield remarkable results. I prefer to focus for short bursts of time, in ‘sprints’, that allow me to make rapid progress over a short period of time. This often involves putting on blinders, essentially becoming narrowly focused on just one thing at a time.
For instance, it is not uncommon for me to spend 10 hours on a Sunday immersed in the process of editing a video, pouring my time into watching tutorials, learning new technical skills, and applying them to the current project. I eliminate all distractions and focus solely on the project at hand.
Then, after 2-3 days of this concentrated burst of effort, I’ll take 2-3 days off and won’t touch the project. I try to disconnect from social media and allow myself to completely detach from the project. I engage in activities that bring me joy and help me relax; my go-to activities are basketball and photography.
This intense focus followed by intentional rest and rejuvenation not only brings forth a refreshed perspective but also allows for the assimilation of these newly gained skills acquired during the sprint.
If there is more work to be done after this period, I go enter another ‘sprint’ until the project is completed. If the project is already finished, then I move on to the next.
I’ve found that bursts of high intensity, when balanced with deliberate breaks, are instrumental to propelling my creative work forward.
The Stealth Approach
If you’ve been following my journey over the past few years, then it is no surprise that I am a firm believer of building in public. I believe it’s important to share what I’m working on for two reasons:
Archival Purposes: Imagine being able to look back on what you were working on, your influences, and the ideas that made you excited at a certain period of your life. It’s important to look back and watch yourself grow over the years so that you can remember how far you’ve come.
Eyes on Your Work: You never know who’s watching. Regardless of if you have a lot of likes, comments, or views on your work, it is possible that a life-altering opportunity is on the horizon. If you don’t share what you’re doing, how will anyone know what you are capable of? There’s also a good chance that there are others on their own creative journey that are inspired by what you do - your work has the potential to inspire others!
However, sharing what you’re working on can sometimes lead to a false sense of accomplishment. You need to make sure you finish the projects that you start.
In the pursuit of creative excellence, it is sometimes best to go quiet and keep your intentions and progress to yourself. This ‘stealth approach’ creates a space free from external influence, allowing your work to develop organically and without distraction.
There is a certain merit to maintaining a veil of secrecy that effectively creates self-imposed isolation. This fosters hyper-focused goals and allows you to explore your creative instincts, experiment with different techniques, and push the boundaries of what you thought was possible.
When you embrace a ‘stealth approach’ from time to time, you can maintain creative autonomy and create work that is true to your artistic vision.
The Excitement of Purpose
As is true for many creatives, shutting off my mind and winding down before bed can be a difficult challenge. The excitement and passion that drive my creative work make it difficult to separate my work and personal life. I find it increasingly difficult to completely stop thinking about work. However, when your inner purpose fuels your work, this heightened state of enthusiasm can be a source of joy and fulfillment.
When I’m working as a director of photography on a project, I am wholeheartedly devoted to capturing breathtaking images on set. I wake up every morning with unwavering clarity about my mission, knowing that each day's work is a step closer to finishing the project. My work becomes an extension of my identity, providing a profound sense of purpose.
My deep-rooted passion for storytelling through visuals is not just a means of earning a living; it is an integral part of my being. I find great fulfillment in immersing myself in the world of filmmaking - collaborating with directors and other creatives to bring these narratives to life.
I strive to align my personal values with the projects I choose to work on. I select projects that resonate with my artistic vision and passion, ensuring that every day spent working is a rewarding experience. This alignment with purpose and work brings me immense joy and a profound sense of satisfaction
This approach highlights the importance of understanding the underlying purpose behind our work. When we have a deep-rooted desire for why we do what we do, burnout becomes uncommon. Waking up every morning with clarity about what needs to be done and how it will push us closer to our goals transforms work into a fulfilling and purpose-driven endeavor.
Work Ethic & The Quest For Balance
I often find myself immersed in projects that others might consider extraneous from the outside. Friends and family often wonder why I spend so much time working on creative projects throughout the week, even during my off hours.
From my perspective, my approach makes complete sense. The work I do is a labor of love. It brings me joy to witness my visions come to life and watch my ideas take shape. I understand that excellence is achieved through attention to detail and a relentless pursuit of perfection. When I take on a new project, I immerse myself completely, embrace the challenges, and push myself to achieve my full potential.
It is this deep sense of pride in my craft that makes it impossible for me to create work that is not up to my standard of excellence. This means that I will put in the extra hours, go the extra mile, and I will never settle for mediocrity.
And while some may think spending up to 50 hours on a music video is excessive, I deem it necessary for my own purpose and fulfillment.
The truth is, there isn’t a set amount of hours you should be working during the day, especially in the creative field. I believe it is dependent on how long it will take you to produce work you are proud of. This may mean working a lot more or a lot less than other people.
People may say, “wow, you work a lot” and to that, my response is “yeah, and you don’t work that much”.
It’s all relative!
There is really only an issue when you begin to neglect the other aspects that make life fulfilling. You have to understand that there is a natural ‘ebb and flow’ to your life that will place you in different stages - some stages will require more work and other stages won’t.
Some periods of your life may be more conducive to career growth. In this period, you may want to focus on honing your skills, experimenting with new techniques, and staying up-to-date with industry trends. In another period of your life, it may be more important to prioritize your health, spend time with loved ones, pursue hobbies outside of your work, and nurture your spirit.
It’s a delicate dance between experiencing life, continuing to grow creatively, nurturing relationships, and achieving personal fulfillment.
And I’ll be completely honest with you. I haven’t figured it all out yet…
Final Thoughts
Life / Work balance looks different for everyone. It all starts with figuring out why you do what you do. Become crystal clear on your goals and understand where you want to be and how you’re going to get there. There is no set amount of time you need to spend working, that is completely up to you and your standards.
Don’t neglect the aspects of life that are separate from your work, but allow them to intertwine with your work in a way that keeps you feeling fresh and inspired to continue pushing the needle.
Thank you for reading! If you’ve found this article valuable, please share it with a friend.
As always, keep creating.
-P