A few thoughts on work-life balance
Work-life balance is relative to individual circumstances. For some, "balance" may mean dedicating 95% of their waking hours to achieving their goals. They might push themselves to the point of burnout after 10 days, take a day or two off, and then jump right back into their work. If this describes you, understand that you're part of a rare group, but this example highlights that balance looks different for everyone. Take, for example, a 23-year-old research student who spends nearly all his time in the lab. For him, this intense focus might be fulfilling, and he genuinely enjoys it. However, for most people, there are social needs that come with being human. Personally, I used to view these needs as a weakness, but I've come to realize they are an essential part of our nature. Once I accepted that, I found that while I worked fewer hours, my output improved because I was able to optimize my abilities. In the long term, I believe this is the best recipe for success, but it requires significant introspection. You need to consistently assess how passionate you are about what you're doing. You might love your work, but after several months of long hours, your productivity can begin to decline. Consciously, you may believe you're still passionate about your job, but unconsciously, you may start to resent it simply because of the repetitive focus. To clarify with an example: you may truly love your spouse, but would you want to spend 14 hours a day with them for six months straight? You can substitute "spouse" with anything—whether it’s sports, fashion, or technology. Too much of anything can lead to diminishing returns, even if it's something you love. BUT THAT’S DEPENDENT ON WHO YOU ARE. Also, once you assess what your passions are in life, you can start to balance them, e.g., work, family, friends, hobbies