Emma

When you're trying to close a deal and keep clients happy, it was just not something that I could bear. Now, while I would never advocate for unhealthy working practices like that, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a moment in your life and in your career where it made sense to put the pedal to the metal. And for me, that was in my 20s. At this time of my life, I didn't have a mortgage.

When you're trying to close a deal and keep clients happy, it was just not something that I could bear. Now, while I would never advocate for unhealthy working practices like that, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a moment in your life and in your career where it made sense to put the pedal to the metal. And for me, that was in my 20s. At this time of my life, I didn't have a mortgage.

I didn't have any big responsibilities, no kids. I could apply myself 100% to my work. And oh my goodness, did I. I'd also say that there is a huge gap in my own friendship group between those that really applied themselves during their twenties and those that just didn't. Now, this type of work ethic isn't for everybody. And I don't think that you can't be successful because

I didn't have any big responsibilities, no kids. I could apply myself 100% to my work. And oh my goodness, did I. I'd also say that there is a huge gap in my own friendship group between those that really applied themselves during their twenties and those that just didn't. Now, this type of work ethic isn't for everybody. And I don't think that you can't be successful because

if you're not willing to go all out. But there is something to be said for what it takes to be excellent at something and what it takes to really, truly apply yourself. Personally, what I found really helpful is to have a focus with work. And what I mean by that is to have an end goal, to be clear about what you're working towards and make sure that your energy is spent wisely.

if you're not willing to go all out. But there is something to be said for what it takes to be excellent at something and what it takes to really, truly apply yourself. Personally, what I found really helpful is to have a focus with work. And what I mean by that is to have an end goal, to be clear about what you're working towards and make sure that your energy is spent wisely.

There is a smart way to work really hard and killing yourself without any big picture in mind will never be satisfying. Now, I know that people are tired of hustle culture and I know that work-life balance is important. It's important to prioritize looking after yourself. And as much as I dislike the term self-care, I love what it actually means for me.

There is a smart way to work really hard and killing yourself without any big picture in mind will never be satisfying. Now, I know that people are tired of hustle culture and I know that work-life balance is important. It's important to prioritize looking after yourself. And as much as I dislike the term self-care, I love what it actually means for me.

And I do take it very seriously because in order to be able to really push it, you have to be looking after yourself. But if we're not honest about what hard work is and how much you have to put in, then I would just be lying to you. Most of the work I've done in my life has not been enjoyable. And I'm so lucky that I find myself in enjoyable work at the age of 42. But I've delivered newspapers.

And I do take it very seriously because in order to be able to really push it, you have to be looking after yourself. But if we're not honest about what hard work is and how much you have to put in, then I would just be lying to you. Most of the work I've done in my life has not been enjoyable. And I'm so lucky that I find myself in enjoyable work at the age of 42. But I've delivered newspapers.

I've made sandwiches. I've worked in countless clothing stores. I've packed more packages than I care to remember. But I did it knowing that it was leading to somewhere.

I've made sandwiches. I've worked in countless clothing stores. I've packed more packages than I care to remember. But I did it knowing that it was leading to somewhere.

And I do think that there's an element, whether you work in a mailroom or you're the most junior person that has kind of all the relentless busy work to do and still does like the coffee run or if you're stuck in a really unfulfilling job, that we all have to pay our dues in some way or another on the path to something greater. It's just part of it.

And I do think that there's an element, whether you work in a mailroom or you're the most junior person that has kind of all the relentless busy work to do and still does like the coffee run or if you're stuck in a really unfulfilling job, that we all have to pay our dues in some way or another on the path to something greater. It's just part of it.

And it's in those times of your life that it's important that you bring a level of curiosity and willingness and an ability to look and see the bigger picture and figure out your leverage because it's always there if you're willing to look. The key take out, remember, don't get disillusioned with the work, but know that it's an essential part of getting to where you want to go.

And it's in those times of your life that it's important that you bring a level of curiosity and willingness and an ability to look and see the bigger picture and figure out your leverage because it's always there if you're willing to look. The key take out, remember, don't get disillusioned with the work, but know that it's an essential part of getting to where you want to go.

And the quicker you put 100 in, the quicker you'll be able to get something meaningful out. Number nine, you can have it all, but not all at once. Okay. This might just be my favorite subject ever. I think it was Shonda Rhimes who first put me onto the idea of trade-offs. So the credit goes there.

And the quicker you put 100 in, the quicker you'll be able to get something meaningful out. Number nine, you can have it all, but not all at once. Okay. This might just be my favorite subject ever. I think it was Shonda Rhimes who first put me onto the idea of trade-offs. So the credit goes there.

Shonda says that when she's killing it in one place in her career, she's inevitably having to do a trade-off somewhere else. And this is true for so many of us. For me, it's not the realization that you need to make a trade-off that's hard to grapple with. It's the decision about what's going to give that's the hardest.

Shonda says that when she's killing it in one place in her career, she's inevitably having to do a trade-off somewhere else. And this is true for so many of us. For me, it's not the realization that you need to make a trade-off that's hard to grapple with. It's the decision about what's going to give that's the hardest.