Work/life balance in the early days - sorry to break it to you, but forget it. If you've bailed out from working for the Man in an attempt to get it, then you're going to have to be a bit patient. Too many things to think about and attend to when you first get going to even try to get the balance right, in probably at the very least the first three to four years. I'm serious. And that's if you, dare I say it, get lucky.
I've got that balance now. Loosely . But it's taken around 10 years. Maybe it's me, I've not done it right or maybe as I believe, that's how it is. How many years are you willing to give it?
But there are things that can help you stay on the right side of burnout. Professional photographer Arwyn Bailey (ArwynBailey.com) says this
"The first thing to write in your diary for every week and month are appointments with your wife/husband/partner; your kids, your hobby; your games console; a walk, or whatever you need to switch off.
No matter how much you love your job, if you don't do this, then you are heading for a potential burn out, as well as it becoming too easy to forget how important it is to treasure and develop the relationships that are important to you which help you make it through each work day. "
I still work at speed. I still work hard. But what I have realised more recently, is that recovery is as important as intensity.
By all means go hard and go fast. But allow yourself the same when it comes to relaxing. it's the way to stay sane and avoid burnout.