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Happy Sunday 👋🏾,

During a recent webinar for Google for Education Champions, someone asked our host, Dean, how he balances freelancing with family life. That question stuck with me. As I sat backstage, I started thinking: How do I balance everything? Or am I just pretending I’ve got it all figured out?

Between running a business, raising a child, trying to be a good husband and managing chronic pain and epilepsy, it’s definitely not easy. But over the past year, I’ve made a much more conscious effort to improve how I navigate it all. While I’m far from perfect, I’ve learned a few things that help me keep it together (most of the time).

Here’s the first thing I realised: balance, as we usually think of it, is a myth. Danny Allen-Page, someone I’ve worked with before, said something recently that really clicked for me. He pointed out that maybe work-life balance doesn’t exist, and instead, it’s about going all-in on whatever you’re doing at that moment.

When I’m with my family, I try to be fully present—no emails, no texts, no distractions. And when I’m working, I focus on giving my best to that too. It’s not about splitting time perfectly; it’s about showing up intentionally.

With that mindset, here are five ways I try to make it work:
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1. Early Mornings and Living by My Calendar

My productivity peaks in the mornings—there’s no denying it. I’ve adapted to waking up early, often around 3:30 a.m. This isn’t just for work; it’s because my chronic pain often wakes me up, and I need to take my medication. Instead of lying there frustrated, I use this time to focus. Whether it’s clearing my inbox, tackling admin, creating content, or preparing for the day, these early hours have become the best way for me to win the day.

Another key thing is I live by my calendar. I’ve got a rule: if it’s not in my calendar, it doesn’t exist. Everything is time-blocked, from when I wake up to when I go to bed. Deep focus sessions, Zeek’s bath time, dinner, TV with my wife—it’s all scheduled. For example, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., I block out uninterrupted deep focus for my most important work. As I’m a morning person, this structure gives me clarity and ensures I’m using my energy where it matters most.

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2. Communication is Key

This one’s big for us. If I know I’ve got a busy period coming up, I make sure to let my wife know so there are no surprises. Equally when she’s got looming deadlines I will step up more around the house and take over with Zeek in the evenings so she can work late.

It’s not always perfect, but being upfront about what’s coming up allows us to support each other better. Sometimes, it means trading roles or picking up extra tasks so the other person can focus on what they need to do.

3. Learning to Say No

Recently, someone asked me to have a meeting over the weekend, and I said no right away. The other person even said, “I like that you don’t compromise.”

In the past, I might have agreed, even though weekends are my family and recharge time. Now, unless it’s absolutely critical, I don’t book meetings on weekends. If I choose to work, it’s usually on tasks I enjoy or admin work that doesn’t feel too taxing. Weekends are for recharging, not burning myself out.

4. Giving Each Other a Recharge Day

My wife and I have agreed to give each other one day a month to do whatever we want. No strings attached, take the day to recharge as you wish, no questions asked.

To be hones, neither of us has been great at actually using these days, we haven’t gone beyond a morning or afternoon of solo rest at home, but it’s an idea we’re committed to getting better at. It’s a small but powerful way to prioritise self-care and give each other the space to reset.

5. Learning to Delegate

One thing I’ve realised as a leader is that I’m not naturally great at delegating. It’s something I’ve been working on this year, and I’ve made real progress. For example, I recently hired a personal assistant, and to be honest, it’s completely changed my life. It’s not just about handing over tasks; it’s helped me develop the skill of being clearer about my expectations and what I need from people.

For a long time, I used to associate delegating with “passing the buck.” I felt like I had to show my team that I could do everything myself. But that’s not the case—it’s about leaning on others and making use of their superpowers. If you’re in a position to delegate or outsource, make use of it. You don’t have to do everything yourself, and letting go of some tasks can make a world of difference.

When I started writing this, I was thinking about balance as a parent and entrepreneur. But by the end, I realised these lessons aren’t just for business owners or parents—they’re for anyone trying to juggle life’s demands. Whether it’s learning to say no, setting boundaries, or creating time for what matters, we’re all facing the same challenge of figuring it out.

So here’s my question to you: Does balance actually exist? Or is it really just about being present with whatever you’re doing? I’d love to hear your thoughts—what’s worked for you?

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Have a great week!

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