WHY I STOPPED TRYING TO BE “BALANCED”

Everyone seems to be chasing work-life balance.

It’s become one of those phrases people throw around in performance reviews, wellness programs, and leadership retreats. The idea sounds great: work hard, but not too hard. Make time for family, fitness, and fun. Keep everything “in check.” But here’s the problem:

BALANCE ISN’T STATIC — IT’S SOMETHING YOU ADJUST WHILE MOVING

The only time a race car is fully balanced is when it’s parked. When you’re out on the track, balance is constantly shifting. You’re adjusting mid-corner, compensating for the grip, the fuel load, the wind, the tire wear. If you try to hold one position too long, you lose control.

I’ve found the same thing applies in life and leadership. Balance isn’t a box you check or a state you “achieve.” It’s a dynamic process. It’s noticing when something’s off, making a small correction, and staying on track. Overcorrect, and you spin. Ignore it, and you drift until something breaks.

THE REAL QUESTION ISN’T “AM I BALANCED?”

IT’S: “WHAT NEEDS ADJUSTING RIGHT NOW?”

Some weeks, I’m on the road for racing, and everything else, workouts, reading, writing, takes a back seat. Other times, I’m deep in healthcare policy work or JKTG Foundation strategy. And sometimes, I need to shift attention to my personal life or recovery.

I don’t feel guilty about that. What matters is being intentional. I ask:→ What needs more of me right now?→ What can wait until next week?→ What am I ignoring that’s going to cost me later?

That’s how you stay in control without wearing yourself out trying to “do it all” every single day.

PERFECTION ISN’T THE GOAL — SUSTAINABILITY IS

People think that if they’re not crushing it in every area of life all the time, they’re failing. But that mindset leads to burnout. Instead of trying to be perfectly balanced all the time, I focus on whether my system is sustainable. Can I keep this pace for a while? If not, where do I need to pull back or ask for help?

This mindset shift is what’s allowed me to keep going, in business, in racing, in life.

LEADERSHIP LESSON: DON’T CHASE AN ILLUSION

Leaders get trapped thinking they have to model “balance” for their teams. But if you pretend you have everything figured out, all you do is make other people feel like they’re falling short. Real leadership is showing people that balance is messy, dynamic, and personal, and giving them permission to recalibrate as needed.

Sometimes, what your team needs isn’t a model of perfection. They need a model of adjustment. Of self-awareness. Of course, correction.

FINAL THOUGHT

Balance isn’t about standing still. It’s about staying in motion without losing control.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to know when to lift, when to lean, and when to reset. That’s how you lead without burning out.