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The idea of "work-life balance" suggests a clear-cut division between our professional and personal lives, where the two never overlap. But let’s be real: In today’s world, that’s hardly ever the case. Life doesn’t stop at 9 AM when work starts, and work doesn’t magically end at 5 PM when life takes over. For many of us, especially entrepreneurs, business owners, and financial advisors, blending work and life is the new norm. The challenge isn’t to avoid mixing the two—it’s about learning how to blend them without losing yourself in the process.
Take my recent girls' trip, for example. I was there to relax, have fun, and unplug. But I also had to pack my laptop because there were a few work items I couldn’t ignore. I snuck in 90 minutes of work during my trip, and you know what? I didn’t feel guilty. I still enjoyed my vacation, and doing a little work gave me peace of mind, ensuring I didn’t fall behind.
The key isn’t to force separation between work and life, but to *blend* them in a way that works for you. Here are a few strategies to make sure you can blend without burning out.
1. Be intentional about your time:
When you’re blending work and personal life, the boundaries can blur quickly. Plan in advance how much time you’ll dedicate to work during your time off. If you know you’ll need to check emails or finish a task, allocate a specific window for it, like the 90 minutes I set aside on my trip. This way, work doesn’t spill over into every moment, and you can stay present in both your personal and professional activities.
Now, I do want to share that when I was working 3 days a week, I really did my best to separate work and home. BUT, stuff happens and we just have to give ourselves grace. The intention was to enjoy my day at home and be fully present. And sometimes, things just blew up and I needed to knock something out when I was out of office.
2. Be choosy about what you work on:
Not all tasks are created equal, and while blending, you need to be selective about the work you take on. Avoid tackling activities that could bring stress or open up problems you can’t address fully while you’re away. Prioritize low-stress, manageable tasks that you can complete quickly, leaving the more complex or potentially fire-starting issues for when you’re fully back in work mode. This helps you avoid distractions that could ruin your time off and ensures you stay in control.
3. Communicate clearly with colleagues and clients:
Let your team or clients know when you’ll be available, even if you’re on vacation or spending time with family. If you can commit to answering emails in the morning or dedicating a couple of hours for urgent tasks, set that expectation upfront. Being proactive will not only help you feel less stressed but also give others clarity about your availability.
Again, I would encourage you to work up to a place of being able to fully unplug so that you can get that white space and truly take a break. And, I recognize that it takes a well-trained team with tight systems and processes to make that happen. Not everyone is in that position so blending is just a necessity.
4. Use technology to your advantage:
Automation tools, email scheduling, and project management apps can help keep things running smoothly without you having to be fully “on.” Set up automatic replies if needed, and use tools that allow you to manage tasks and communications during those small windows of work. That way, you can check in when necessary but not be glued to your devices all day.
You can easily communicate this with “I am currently out of the office, however I will be checking emails Wednesday morning and will respond to you at that time.”
5. Set non-negotiable personal boundaries:
While blending is important, you also need moments where work isn’t invited. Set non-negotiable personal time where work is off-limits. This could be during family dinners, weekends, or specific vacation days. Protect that space for yourself. It ensures that while you’re flexible with blending, you still prioritize time to unwind and disconnect fully.
6. Learn to say no (or not right now):
If you’re blending work and life, it can be tempting to say “yes” to everything because you can technically “squeeze it in.” But setting healthy boundaries means knowing when to decline or postpone tasks that can wait. Not everything is urgent, and it’s okay to prioritize what matters most in the moment.
Work-life blending isn’t about sacrificing your personal time for your career, or vice versa. It’s about creating harmony in a way that allows you to show up fully in both areas without feeling like you’re constantly juggling. So the next time you’re on vacation, don’t feel guilty about sneaking in a little work—as long as you’re blending with intention and setting boundaries, you can find that sweet spot where everything works together.
What strategies do you use to blend work and life?
Related: Growing a National Niche Empire with Nick Daugherty