I don’t need a work/life balance
I was interviewed earlier this week by Adam McFarland where I was quoted saying:
“As a young entrepreneur, you will have NO work/life balance. I am very serious about this. If you want to succeed, you need to be working 24/7 every day of the week.”
I have received a lot of comments about how this is not the way life should be lived and that a person who does not set time to relax or party is not living a healthy life. They call me a fool because I jeopardize my friendships and relationship because I work 24/7. They say that I might be able to keep this up when I’m young, but when I’m 50, I won’t be able to keep up the same life style.
Well, I don’t plan on working 24/7 everyday for the rest of my life. The goal is to build an empire before I have a house and family of my own. But the theory behind not having a work/life balance has a deeper source. It’s not that when I plan to have a work/life balance once I hit 30; it’s that I see work being a part of my life.
Seeing my product launch is much more fun and rewarding to me than going out to Hollywood and partying all night. Working with my team till 3am in the morning is more fun and rewarding to me than going to the movies and watching some flick about some else’s life. Reading a book or article online is much more fun and rewarding to me than watching Family Guy on TV. Meeting new people through Twitter or blogging is much more fun and rewarding to me than going out with the same people every weekend. I think you catch my drift here.
I think the point of all this is that I don’t differentiate between my work and my life. That’s the underlying concept. People have such a negative connotation with the word “work.” We hear it all the time: “I hate my job”; “I’m so glad it’s Friday”; “Gah! I hate Mondays”; “I can’t wait till the weekend.” People in our society seem to think that work sucks. My team and I are of the mentality that work is fun! So when I say that I’m working 24/7, it doesn’t mean that I’m losing my mind, stressing out the entire time. It means that I’m having fun 24/7.
When I do an interview, go to a mixer, meet a person online, or blog and tweet, I am working. This is a part of my job as the Chief Marketing Officer of Future Delivery. I consider everything that progresses my career or that develops me personally as “work.” This is where we may argue with semantics, but work to me doesn’t have to be something that makes me money. It can be something that expands my network, social status, or influence in the Gen-Y community.
I have a great relationship with my girlfriend. She understands that I have a startup company and that my company is my number 1 priority. We’re able to keep a healthy relationship because I do set time during the week to take her out on a date. When she’s watching TV, I’m sitting next to her with my laptop doing work. It’s actually the best relationship I have ever been in.
I’m not a fool, nor am I crazy. This is just the life that I choose to live. You may say, “Jun, stop working so hard all the time. Take a break and have some fun!.” I’ll tell you, “I AM having fun”
I agree with you 100% that what you and I do for work is more fun than most other things in life. That’s where most of the working world will never understand entrepreneurs. Still doesn’t mean that there isn’t enjoyment, fulfillment, and fun from other things in life though.
“Well, I don’t plan on working 24/7 everyday for the rest of my life. The goal is to build an empire before I have a house and family of my own.”
I think that’s the important part - understanding that your mentality is OK for now (maybe even necessary) but at some point you’ll want to or need to dial back the intensity a bit.
Thanks again for the great interview!
Adam
Adam, since we’ve been talking about this whole entrepreneurial life style, I decided to take it easy today. I went surfing this morning, watched “So You Think You Can Dance” on TV, and finally got the chance to answer some emails.
I feel relaxed, fresh, and energized. You guys may have convinced me to turn down the intensity!
- Jun
Kudos, kudos.
I never liked the phrase “work/life balance.” It already assumes that “work” and “life” are these two disparate and irreconcilable things. Another phrase that irks me is “life gets in the way.” Uh…OK? What are you doing if it’s not part of your life? Are you working in some sort of afterlife nether realm outside of normal existence?
Of course, I know what people mean, but it still bothers me that this distinction exists. Everything I do is to further myself and people around me. Some of it looks more like traditional “work” than others (sitting in a cubicle writing code, for example), but it’s all part of my life.
@keenahn - I agree. For some, work is the 9-5 cubicle, and that’s why they want to keep work away from the personal. In order to make work a part of life, you have to love what you do.
Glad that we’re in the same boat. Thanks for the comment
- Jun
Nisha just linked me to your blog and I already love your posts. This totally resonates with me because it’s exactly how I feel about my career stuff vs. “fun” stuff. Because all my career-related work is still stuff I LOVE to do, work IS life and life is work… and that’s perfectly okay.
Hey Teresa,
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I will definitely need to thank Nisha for referring you.
I love your attitude. YES! if you truly love what you do, then there should be no distinction between work and life. In this crazy entrepreneurial life, I don’t make the distinction at all.
I checked out your blog and subscribed. Looks like you have A LOT on your plate. Good luck and great getting to know you!
- Jun
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