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Scroll your feed for five seconds and you’ll see it: two powerful voices shouting opposite truths.
On one end of the spectrum is the hustle crowd. These are the voices telling you, “If you’re not grinding, you’re falling behind.” They preach obsession as a prerequisite for greatness. Work harder. Sleep less. Dream bigger. Be more relentless. After all, if you really cared about your goals, you wouldn’t take a break, right?
Then, just a few swipes away, come the work-life balance experts, reminding you to breathe, slow down, and be present. They say, “Life is short. Don’t miss it because you were too busy chasing success.” Their message: Don’t live to work. Take the trip. Unplug. You weren’t made to burn out.
Here’s the kicker: they both have a point, but in isolation, each becomes dangerous.
I love this quote from E.B. White:
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.”
That’s the daily tension for high-capacity leaders.
We want to build something that matters, but we also long to enjoy the moments that do.
Work is a calling. We were made to contribute.
But we weren’t made just to produce.
The goal isn’t to eliminate the tension. It’s to manage it with wisdom and intention.
- Yes, strive for excellence. But also rest with intention.
- Yes, build something that matters. But don’t miss the people who matter most.
- Yes, push hard in seasons. But don’t forget to stop and laugh along the way.
The best leaders don’t pick a side. They walk the tightrope of hustling with purpose and pausing with perspective.
Because success isn’t just about achievement.
It’s about living a life that’s aligned with your purpose, your values, and your people.
So today when you feel that familiar pull, to improve or to enjoy, remember: That tension is normal. Even good.
Lean into it. Let it shape the way you lead, love, and live.
