Hey Entrepreneurs!
We hear the words work-life balance tossed around a lot these days, especially in India, where the hustle is real and the ambitions are high. People like Narayan Murthy and the founders of Ola have all weighed in on how to maintain it, but here’s something I truly believe: There is no universal rule for work-life balance. It’s personal, and it’s unique to each one of us.
Some of us thrive on structure, while others, like me, prefer a more free-flowing model. We aren’t machines that can operate on a 9-to-5 rule. We’re creative beings—and the beauty of creativity is that it has its own rhythms. Let me walk you through how I handle work-life balance and how you can find your own sweet spot.
How I Maintain My Work-Life Balance
For me, work-life balance isn’t about following a strict Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 schedule. I’ve found what works for me, and I want to encourage you to do the same. Here’s a snapshot of my work-life flow:
I often work for seven straight days, pushing myself when I feel the creative spark. Then, I take 2-3 days off to recharge. Sometimes, I’ll go hard for three days and then take a day off. And here’s the thing: I don’t feel guilty about taking breaks.
In my line of work—coaching employees to become entrepreneurs—I need to be at my creative best. And as every creator knows, sometimes the ideas don’t come. That’s okay. Instead of forcing myself to grind through a mental block, I step back. I take time to reset, relax, and do things that light me up again. Whether it’s riding my motorcycle, watching a show, or hanging out with friends, those moments of rest are critical to keeping the work-life balance intact.
The takeaway? You don’t need to follow a rigid model. Find your own flow. If you feel like working late into the night or over the weekend because you’re inspired—go for it! If you need a few days off to recharge, don’t hesitate to take them. The key is listening to your energy and finding your rhythm.
Work-Life Balance: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Here’s the thing about balance: it’s not one-size-fits-all. Let me give you an analogy from my own life. I’m a biker, and when I’m out on the highway, each of my bikes has its own sweet spot—that perfect speed where it feels like everything is in harmony.
- For my Kawasaki Versys 650, the sweet spot is 120 km/h.
- For my Royal Enfield Himalayan, it’s a comfortable 80 km/h.
- My car? 100 km/h is where it hums along perfectly.
Similarly, you need to find that sweet spot for yourself when it comes to work and life. It’s about understanding where you function best, how you feel most productive without overworking, and when to pull back and rest. Like each machine, every person has their own balance.
The Mosquito in a Jar Experiment: Why You Need Balance
Let me share an experiment that perfectly illustrates why balance is so crucial. It’s called the mosquito in a jar experiment. Imagine mosquitoes trapped inside a jar with a lid on it. At first, they fly around trying to escape, hitting the lid repeatedly. But after a while, they stop trying—even if you remove the lid—because they’ve conditioned themselves to believe there’s no way out. They’ve limited their potential.
Now, think of that jar as your routine. If you keep working non-stop without giving yourself time to rest, you’ll limit your own creativity and potential, just like those mosquitoes. You don’t want to become a self-limiting mosquito. That’s why taking breaks is so important—it recharges you and helps you maintain your creative spark.
Tips to Find Your Work-Life Balance
So, how do you find your own sweet spot? How do you create a work-life balance that works for you, without following someone else’s rulebook? Here are a few tips that have helped me and might help you:
1. Know Yourself
The first step is self-awareness. Are you someone who works better with strict boundaries or do you thrive in a more flexible environment? Do mornings spark your productivity, or are you a night owl? The key is to understand how you function best, so you can structure your work and rest accordingly.
2. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Comparison is the thief of joy. Just because someone works 16 hours a day doesn’t mean you have to. And if someone only works 4 hours a day, that might not be your style either. Find what works for you and stop comparing your journey to others.
3. Rest is Productive
Remember, rest is not the opposite of productivity—it’s part of it. If you’re pushing yourself all day, every day, your creativity will suffer. Give yourself permission to rest when you need it. When you recharge, you come back to work with more energy and better ideas.
4. Set Boundaries (Even If They’re Flexible)
Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you need a strict 9-to-5 schedule. It means knowing when to stop working and when to start. It’s about creating space for downtime and guarding it. For example, even if I’m working late on a Saturday night, I know that the next day, I’ll take a break.
5. Prioritize What’s Important
At the end of the day, balance isn’t just about time management—it’s about priority management. Know what’s important to you and allocate your time accordingly. If spending time with family or pursuing hobbies matters to you, make sure you carve out time for it.
How I Apply Work-Life Balance
As I sit here writing this blog on a Saturday night at 11:40 pm, it’s the perfect example of how I maintain my balance. Today was my daughter’s 17th birthday, and we celebrated Dussehra, too. We spent the day celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying each other’s company. After nine days of dancing and playing Garba during Navratri, I was pretty wiped out. But now, after a day of rest and celebrations, my creative spark lit up again.
Instead of waiting for Monday, I’m here, at 11:40 pm, writing to you. This is my balance—I work when I feel inspired, and I rest when I need to. Your balance will be different—maybe you need more structure, or maybe you need more spontaneity. Find what works for you.
The Freedom of Entrepreneurship
If you’re an entrepreneur like me, one of the best parts about work-life balance is that you have the freedom to create your own schedule. Sure, there will always be deadlines, but you have the flexibility to work when you’re most inspired. Don’t let yourself be tied down to someone else’s idea of work-life balance.
If you’re an employee, I understand that it’s not always easy to take breaks when you want to. But even within the confines of your job, you can find small ways to inject balance—whether it’s through short breaks, finding creative outlets outside of work, or using your weekends to recharge.
Do you know what Industry Leaders Think About Work-Life Balance?
Let’s take a look at what some of the top leaders in the world have said about work-life balance, and I’ll share my perspective on their views.
1. Narayana Murthy – Founder, Infosys
Narayana Murthy stirred quite a bit of controversy when he suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week. He believes this is necessary for India to compete with developed nations like China. Murthy worked those kinds of hours when building Infosys, and he attributes much of the company’s success to that intense level of commitment
Source India Today
My take: I admire Murthy’s dedication, but I believe that such long hours are not sustainable for everyone. In my experience, balance is key. Working hard is important, but taking time off when you need it is equally crucial for long-term success. Creativity thrives when you’re not pushing yourself to the brink every day.
2. Bhavish Aggarwal – CEO, Ola
Bhavish Aggarwal agreed with Murthy’s stance, advocating for a 70-hour work week to build India’s economy. He believes now is the time for India’s workforce to give everything they have
Source Business Standard
My take: I respect Aggarwal’s drive, but I’ve found that overworking often leads to diminishing returns. Smart work trumps hard work when done at the right time. Breaks are essential for creativity, and pushing too hard can limit our ability to innovate.
3. Elon Musk – CEO, Tesla and SpaceX
Elon Musk is known for his extreme work ethic, often sleeping at the factory to meet deadlines. Musk has been openly critical of the concept of work-life balance, instead advocating for all-out dedication to work
Source – People Matters ANZ
My take: While Musk’s approach works for him, I think it’s essential to find a balance that doesn’t lead to burnout. For me, when I step away and take breaks, I come back to my work refreshed, energized, and more creative. You don’t always have to be “on” to succeed.
4. Jeff Bezos – Founder, Amazon
Bezos promotes work-life harmony rather than work-life balance. He believes that success at work should complement your happiness at home and vice versa, rather than viewing work and life as separate
Source – India Today
My take: I love the concept of work-life harmony. In my life, I find that when I’m doing well at work, it feeds into my personal life and vice versa. Balance isn’t always about strict division—it’s about letting work and life fuel each other in a way that makes you feel fulfilled.
5. Anupam Mittal – Founder, Shaadi.com
Anupam Mittal emphasizes the importance of working smart, not just hard. He acknowledges the need for hustle but warns against overworking at the cost of long-term health
Source – HopSwitch
My take: Mittal’s philosophy aligns closely with mine. Yes, there are times when you need to hustle, but it’s equally important to know when to step back. Pacing yourself ensures you stay creative and avoid burnout.
Conclusion: Find Your Fit
At the end of the day, work-life balance is about finding what works for you. There’s no rulebook or standard model to follow. We’re not machines—we’re intelligent, creative beings. When you’re self-aware and give yourself the space to explore, you’ll find your sweet spot.
And when you do, don’t be afraid to stick to it. Balance is what fuels your creativity. When you need to work, go all in. When you need to rest, embrace it fully. Don’t stress over not being able to perform—wait for the spark.
What’s Your Sweet Spot?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you maintain your work-life balance? Share your experience in the comments below! And if you still think you haven’t found your sweet spot, let’s talk. I’ll walk with you through it.
