Don't Build Yourself a Stupid Life

Over the summer I went to a conference where a leader in a chic suit stood up and asked the audience:

🔉Why do we build stupid lives for ourselves? 🔉

It was a bold question that left me pondering... 😶 

His point was that we invest so much energy into creating a life we Think we want (or are told we should want), only to find out that this very life doesn't leave much room for doing the things we actually love most. 

Lack of work-life balance (or whatever your preferred way of calling it these days may be), is a fascinating challenge...

🚨It has the power to undermine and create self doubt in the best and strongest of leaders

🚨It can leave competent, talented, brilliant people feeling like utter failures and second guessing their every decisions and their competence

🚨It puts a strain on the team, the department, the organization, the family, and eventually the healthcare system

🚨It creates the illusion that the only way through is by super-optimizing oneself or becoming superhuman - then leaves people feeling utterly disappointed when they have to admit to themselves that they are not.

What surprises me most about this challenge, is that many clients see no way out of that rut (except for a looong sabbatical on a secluded island, of which they secretly dream) 🏖️

It's possible to build a smart life. 

Work-life balance can be managed. 

I have seen clients do it and do it well. I've coached many through it. 

It takes determination to do it. 

It takes reframing of our perspective, becoming ruthless (in the most positive sense) and unapologetic about some things. 

It takes humility to admit that what we have built is not sustainable and that we are not superhuman. 

It takes willingness to give another method a try. 

It takes courage to stand up for well-being and for what's right. 

Please don't build yourself a stupid life in which you feel trapped.

Build a life that you will love, and in which you can be the best version of yourself, more of the time. ✨

What would it take for you to build such a life???