Everyone is struggling to balance work and life these days. Work, sleep, family, fitness, friends… How does one manage all of these aspects of life? Virgin founder Richard Branson recently shared a different point of view on how to tackle this challenge, which he recently shared on LinkedIn. The successful CEO believes it’s crucial to focus on things you are passionate about, because this will allow you to not think of work as work. “I don’t look at work as work and play as play; to me they are the same thing,” he says. “If a new business opportunity or project doesn’t excite me and if it’s not something with which I can have a lot of seriously creative fun, then I’d rather pass on it and move right along. Life’s too short to waste your time doing things that don’t light your fire.”
He cites his passion for kitesurfing as an example: It started as a hobby but turned into a business opportunity when he launched the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada. Branson also incorporates downtime for exercise and being present, taking daily tea breaks to refocus his energy and help him find balance. He says, “By focusing on the things I am passionate about, having fun, enjoying some downtime, and prioritising the things I care about the most (my family and my health), I have been able to avoid having a work-life balance burnout.” So if you’re passionate about, say, travel photography, do everything you can to turn that passion into a business.
Learn more about the life of Richard Branson by reading his book Losing My Virginity.
What do you think about Branson’s approach to work/life balance?