While that desire to do a good job hasn’t changed, my priorities have and my habits have had to as well. The temptation for me is still to work until 1 every night on projects that are important to me, but that would leave me with a very unhappy spouse. I’ve had to learn to recalibrate my schedule, getting as much done as I can before she gets off work. Not because I don’t love my work, but because I love her more.

I anticipate another recalibration will happen whenever little ones enter the picture.

It’s a tough thing - I was a TA for a course in college where CEOs from various firms came to talk about how to be successful. All of them bragged about the hours they’d pull, the achievements they’ve made with their company. After the class we’d get to go to dinner with them. On multiple occasions, the question came up about how they balance work and family. Not one of them had a good answer - they said things like “I don’t” or “I’m on my second divorce” with a half-hearted laugh.

For me, a guy or girl who builds an amazing startup but who destroys their family in the process is not a success. I’m not sure what the conclusion is - perhaps for many, the answer is to make a choice between the two…

I love my job, which means it doesn’t feel like work too often.

I also have a passion for learning new things, many of which are related to my job. As a result, people see me as working when I’m really just studying/learning and having a different kind of fun, while also broadening the skills I use every day.

The work/life balance is broader though. After working like mad for the last 6 weeks, I got really off balance and started feeling pretty unhappy. So, this weekend I stayed off the computer, off email, and enjoyed the sunshine, a movie, some walks, some ice cream and playing music with the family. Monday is here, and I’m ready to go, more than any Monday in the last couple of months.

I’m reminded of how important it is to maintain that balance as much as possible, not just for the good of my family and me, but also for the job I love so much.

I certainly begin to get bored with a discipline when I master it, large corp or not.

The work-life balance is very akin to the “starving artist” mindset, except many of those artists aren’t being wimps about it.

nope. i work for a big “corporation” and i love every second of what i do. every. friggin. second.