As we wrap up 2023 and start to plan for 2024, it is my hope that the readers of this publication have become familiar with and now recognize the importance of the very real and achievable concept of work-life balance. On paper (and according to Forbes), work-life balance is defined as giving “equal time or priority to personal and professional activities.” 

I asked six work-life balance warriors who have helped me achieve such a balance in my personal life to participate in a Q&A session. Here are each individual’s unique versions of what work-life balance means to them.

1.

Jordan Bellotti, Pittsburgh Headshot Photographer, Jordan Bellotti Photography

Jordan Bellotti is the owner and operator of Jordan Bellotti Photography, a business specializing in professional corporate headshots. Jordan shares his experience running a business and raising a 16-month-old child.

T: What are some ebbs and flows of balancing life and running a small business?

J: When you decide to become a small business owner, it takes a serious change in your thinking as well as your actions. It almost becomes a way of life. Things are constantly changing as far as my schedule, but my family and I have an understanding that this is how we survive. Though, I do think it’s important to set aside specific family time. One example is we eat every meal we can together at our table. It’s a short time that’s easy to dedicate to one another. In summary, prioritize your family the best you can but also don’t miss the big wins that your family will benefit from.

2.

Brittany Rodman, MSA+ Sales Support Specialist, MSA

Brittany Rodman is a sales professional and a working mom of two. Brittany spent the first year of her oldest daughter’s life as a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) before returning to work and excelling in the work-life balance arena.

T: What has been the biggest difference for work-life balance going from a full-time stay-at-home mom back to a full-time employee?

B: Being a SAHM actually taught me the importance of work-life balance. I used to check my email and Teams notifications vigorously during all hours. This amongst COVID was the reason I felt I needed to step away. I needed to make sure that my daughter was getting the love and care she needed while also not burning myself out. Now that I’m back to work, I have confidence that BOTH of my daughters are properly being cared for, and I take the necessary steps to ensure that work does not overlap my time at home. I always try to focus on where my feet are.

3.

Jenna Vassallo, Head of Brand and Marketing, Parentaly

Jenna Vassallo is the head of brand and marketing at Parentaly, a career coaching and parental leave support provider that helps employees and their teams minimize career and business disruption. She is a mom of two and author of Parentaly’s newsletter.

T: How does or should work-life balance carry over into parental leave?

J: I’m all about using parental leave to heal and focus on bonding with your child, so it’s really important to put the work in prior to your leave so you feel comfortable, more or less, unplugging. For that to be possible, it requires setting clear boundaries ahead of time-specifically about communication preferences with your employer when you’re on leave. By doing this, it’ll allow you to prioritize “life” during this special time off, knowing IF something you outlined as important to you comes up while you’re on leave, your team knows when and how to communicate about it with you. I’m a huge advocate for leaving it up to the employee on [parental] leave to decide whether they want to weigh in on certain things, and I think it can be done in a way that doesn’t intrude on their work-life balance...especially if it’ll impact their career in the long run.

4.

Nick Bennett, Chief Customer Officer & Co-Founder, TACK

Nick Bennett is one of the most influential voices in marketing, announcing new go-to-market projects and useful resources at every corner. During a recent layoff, Nick and his wife grew their family from three to five before announcing the switch from full-time employee to full-time creator.

T: What are the most important aspects towards achieving work-life balance?

N: For me, it’s all about time blocking and not being afraid to say no.

5.

Brea Olmstead, Executive Business Partner to the COO, Refine Labs

Brea Olmstead is a virtuoso at identifying the right problem to solve and supporting the environment necessary to align the correct solution to the correct problem through end user design, equity and authentic relationships. Brea channels this and talks about the balance of it all through social media platforms like LinkedIn.

T: What are the differences between work-life balance, work-life blend and work-life integration?

B: Perhaps only semantics for some, and at the crux is that one-size-fits-none. Professionals are not a homogeneity, so why are the best practices regarding work-life balance served as objective truths? Embracing a resonate framework allows us to balance, integrate or blend our work rhythms into our lives and lived experiences–accounting for caretaker responsibilities, side hustles, health, neurotype and beyond.

6.

Tony Sousa, VP, RPM Living

Tony Sousa’s pinned post on LinkedIn is some of what you need to know about him–a photo of a revered executive returning home to the smiling faces of his kids. Tony has been called “the most interesting person” in the multifamily industry but does not hesitate to put family first.

T: How has subscribing to a work-life balance lifestyle helped you climb the ladder of success?

T: Recharging at home with fam[ily] and friends is the secret to excelling at the Monday through Friday. When you spend quality time at home with family and friends, it gives you the energy, confidence and strength you need to take on any challenge at the office. And if you take on a lot of challenges and become successful at solving or overcoming them, your career will grow.