Business & Entrepreneurship

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  Darren’s Story – Confessions of a Workaholic
  Understanding the roots of individual work values can help make sense of work-life balance choices, encouraging self-reflection, acceptance and compassion – towards oneself and others. To this end, I’ve set out to use this blog to feature a series of “work-life balance profiles“, exploring the personal history behind work-life balance choices, one story at aContinue reading “Darren’s Story – Confessions of a Workaholic”
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  Marsha’s Story – From high-flying professional to stay-at-home-mum
  Work-Life Balance Profile #3 – Marsha* This Work-Life Balance Profile tells the story of a high-flying City professional turned stay-at-home-mum, Marsha, who found working part-time after having children to be the “worst of both worlds”. After a devastating redundancy, she did not return to the workforce and has devoted the past decade to her family’sContinue reading “Marsha’s Story – From high-flying professional to stay-at-home-mum”
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  Soli’s Story – “Sunny-Side Up, Please”: Self-Care for Caring Professionals, Finding Balance in Mid-Life & Staying Positive When the Course of Motherhood Doesn’t Run Smooth
  Work-Life Balance Profile #7 – Soli Lazarus I grew up in a family of teachers; my late grandfather was a retired Headmaster, my mum was a primary school teacher, and my brother undertook his teacher training qualification while we were both still living at home. So I know first hand how much work, and role modelling, takes placeContinue reading “Soli’s Story – “Sunny-Side Up, Please”: Self-Care for Caring Professionals, Finding Balance in Mid-Life & Staying Positive When the Course of Motherhood Doesn’t Run Smooth”
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  Susan’s Story – Climbing High: on Single Motherhood and Social Mobility
  Work-Life Balance Profile #9: Susan* Introducing Susan, the subject of my latest Work-Life Balance Profile. Having come across my blog on social media, Susan approached me to share her perspective on finding balance as the single mother of two children, one of whom has particularly demanding needs. The story I unearthed about social mobility, however,Continue reading “Susan’s Story – Climbing High: on Single Motherhood and Social Mobility”
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  Finding Balance on Her Own Terms: “Single by Choice; Childfree by Choice”. Laurie’s Story – On Doing ‘What Suits You’
  Work-Life Balance Profile #14: Laurie Macpherson Introduction to Laurie’s Profile I once read that you can tell a lot about a person by the wording they use when setting email ‘out of office’ messages. There are those of a controlling nature, specifying instructions for every eventuality; those full of apology, betraying a sense of guiltContinue reading “Finding Balance on Her Own Terms: “Single by Choice; Childfree by Choice”. Laurie’s Story – On Doing ‘What Suits You’”
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  “Multitasking Mastery: A Seamless Work/Life Blend”. Adunola’s Story – on finding balance after being let down by an employer & valuing financial independence within a marriage
  Work-Life Balance Profile #17: Adunola* Introduction to Adunola’s Profile The subject of my latest Work-Life Balance Profile, Adunola, has got it all figured out: an exact equilibrium between work and home life, which includes holding down a career that she loves while simultaneously being the main carer of her children. How does she do it?Continue reading ““Multitasking Mastery: A Seamless Work/Life Blend”. Adunola’s Story – on finding balance after being let down by an employer & valuing financial independence within a marriage”
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  Employed or Self-Employed: That is the (Fine Balance) Question
  Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been approached separately via social media by two women who have visited my website and are interested in featuring on my ‘Work-Life Balance Profiles‘ series. Both women have something in common: they returned to work after maternity leave and found that the rigidity of being an employee constrainedContinue reading “Employed or Self-Employed: That is the (Fine Balance) Question”
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  A Fine Balance – The Podcast: BONUS EPISODE, featuring Annabel Jeffcoate, on “How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance”
  Episode 7 of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ is out now: CLICK HERE TO LISTEN This is a bonus episode and different to my usual format. Rather than hosting someone that has already featured on the blog ‘A Fine Balance’, my guest on this episode is work-life balance expert and founder of the consultancyContinue reading “A Fine Balance – The Podcast: BONUS EPISODE, featuring Annabel Jeffcoate, on “How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance””
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  The Fine Balance Between Working Hard, and Working Too Hard
  So often the term work-life balance implies “working” less and “living” more. But what if ambition, financial pressures, or any other personal reason, compels you to choose “work” over “life”? While striving for goals and ambition is usually lauded as admirable, prioritising “work” over “life” is often cast as something shameful, rather than something toContinue reading “The Fine Balance Between Working Hard, and Working Too Hard”
• When Life Gives You Lemons, Go and Make Some Sparkling Rosé
  Wine-Making & Work-Life Balance Is it hard to find a work-life balance when working in an industry that reacts to seasonal changes? This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful grounds of Chapel Down, touring the vineyard, learning all about the English wine-making process, and sampling their produce, of course. I was struckContinue reading “When Life Gives You Lemons, Go and Make Some Sparkling Rosé”
• Goodbye 2022… Hello 2023
  As the sun sets on 2022, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what this year has held for my blog and podcast A Fine Balance. On the blog I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of featuring four full-length stories in my “Work-Life Balance Profiles” series this year. Each one of these articlesContinue reading “Goodbye 2022… Hello 2023”
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  It’s Official! Season Two of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ is live
  I’m delighted to officially launch Season Two of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’! My first guest this Season is the musician and social media sensation Amanda Kaya. If you’re not familiar with Amanda’s music and art, then you should join the millions of others that follow her pages on Instagram and TikTok. In thisContinue reading “It’s Official! Season Two of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’ is live”
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  The Pursuit of Balance for Working Parents: Attending School Events
  Picture this: Your child has been asked to read a few lines in a class assembly. All parents of the class are invited to attend the assembly, which will last around an hour, at the start of the school day. Although your child will only be performing for a short time, you will be expectedContinue reading “The Pursuit of Balance for Working Parents: Attending School Events”
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  On Finding Balance as a Career-Driven Family Man, When Work Takes Priority: Gilles’ Story
  ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’: Season 2, Episode 3 Out Now The third episode of this season’s podcast is out now, featuring Gilles Dahan, a former banker and head of global trading, who left the finance industry in 2019, and now works as a consultant and entrepreneur. This podcast episode contains some great nuggetsContinue reading “On Finding Balance as a Career-Driven Family Man, When Work Takes Priority: Gilles’ Story”
• Three Work-Life Balance Hacks: Coming soon in the Next Episode of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’
  Over what’s been a very busy holiday period, I’ve been beavering away in the margins editing the next episode of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’, which features the indomitable Ruth Todd CBE as my guest. There are three work-life balance hacks that I’ve so far picked up from listening back to Ruth talk aboutContinue reading “Three Work-Life Balance Hacks: Coming soon in the Next Episode of ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’”
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  On Finding Balance When You Want to “Have It All”, Teamwork & Avoiding Stress: Ruth’s Story
  ‘A Fine Balance – The Podcast’: Season 2, Episode 4 Out Now I’m delighted to introduce the guest of my next podcast episode, Ruth Todd CBE. Ruth’s career has been full of managing complex infrastructure and change projects for a string of blue-chip companies, often under public scrutiny. Formerly Programme Director of the UK’s VaccineContinue reading “On Finding Balance When You Want to “Have It All”, Teamwork & Avoiding Stress: Ruth’s Story”
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  Fatherhood and the Pursuit of Balance
  For what it’s worth, 57½ : 42½ is the combined work:life ratio of all the fathers I’ve interviewed on the blog and podcast, A Fine Balance. Each of these fathers balances their fatherhood with their work and other relationships and interests in their lives differently. There are no rights or wrongs. Just a personal andContinue reading “Fatherhood and the Pursuit of Balance”
• On Marketing, Corporate Cultures, Having Fun, and Asking for Help: New Podcast Episode Out Now, Featuring Dan Knowlton
  My guest this episode is the marketing professional, business owner, and podcast co-host, Dan Knowlton. Dan readily admits to not taking himself too seriously, and says that finding fun both in and outside of work contributes to his sense of balance. Yet, our conversation during this podcast episode takes a serious turn too, when DanContinue reading “On Marketing, Corporate Cultures, Having Fun, and Asking for Help: New Podcast Episode Out Now, Featuring Dan Knowlton”
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  How Do You Improve Your Work-Life Balance When You Hate Your Job? New Podcast Episode Out Now
  “Hate” is a strong word, which I don’t use lightly. Yet, it features in the title of the latest podcast episode as a direct quote from people I’ve interviewed for the blog and podcast, A Fine Balance, who have talked about this exact thing. And it’s right that it’s a strong word because when youContinue reading “How Do You Improve Your Work-Life Balance When You Hate Your Job? New Podcast Episode Out Now”
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  On Flexible Working, Morning Routines, and How To Find a Work-Life Balance When You Like to Be In Charge: New Podcast Episode Out Now, Featuring Rebecca Newenham
  Do you plan your day’s outfit the night before? Guided by the mantra of “setting yourself up for the day ahead”, Rebecca is resolute that incorporating time first thing in the morning to exercise her mind and body, provides her with the foundation to live a balanced life. Eliminating the need to decide what toContinue reading “On Flexible Working, Morning Routines, and How To Find a Work-Life Balance When You Like to Be In Charge: New Podcast Episode Out Now, Featuring Rebecca Newenham”
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  Self-Employed or Employed – Which is Better For Your Work-Life Balance? Work, Life, Balance Lesson #6 – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY
  Have you ever wondered if you’d have a better work-life balance by quitting your nine-to-five and setting up on your own? Perhaps you are self-employed and considering re-entering the workplace as an employee? Do you think doing so will enhance, or be detrimental, to your work-life balance? Or maybe you’re just generally interested in howContinue reading “Self-Employed or Employed – Which is Better For Your Work-Life Balance? Work, Life, Balance Lesson #6 – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY”
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  Finding Balance When You’re Single and Looking for Love – Katie’s Story: NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY
  Work-life balance isn’t typically a topic you’d associate with single, young professionals with no caring responsibilities. Yet, as this episode’s guest, a business development manager and creator of the Single Sounds podcast, Katie McNamara shares, this is a time in life when there’s a lot going on. When you’re starting out in your career andContinue reading “Finding Balance When You’re Single and Looking for Love – Katie’s Story: NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY”
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  On the Hidden Impact of Debt, Body Image Struggles, and Being “Replaceable” – Lorna’s Story. NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW!
  The first episode of Season 4 of A Fine Balance is out now! In it, we explore some serious life challenges that can underlyingly impact a person’s work-life balance, through the personal story of my guest Lorna McKenna.  Lorna works full-time in local government, alongside running her passion project of coaching and hosting a personalContinue reading “On the Hidden Impact of Debt, Body Image Struggles, and Being “Replaceable” – Lorna’s Story. NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW!”
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  The Pursuit of Balance When Undergoing Infertility Treatment, and How to Regain Balance and Find Purpose in Unexpected Circumstances – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY
  Have you ever found yourself on a life or career path that took you completely by surprise? When a plan you’d mapped out so clearly in your head didn’t unfold the way you’d imagined — or hoped — it would? Well, my guest in this podcast episode, Lana Manikowski, is no stranger to that kindContinue reading “The Pursuit of Balance When Undergoing Infertility Treatment, and How to Regain Balance and Find Purpose in Unexpected Circumstances – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY”
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  On Being Bored and Unfulfilled at Work, Virtual Assistant Diary Management Tips, and Finding Work-Life Balance by Quitting Your Corporate 9-5 and Starting Your Own Business – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY FEATURING WOW MOM’S RACHEL GREEN
  Burnout at work can be like a fire that flames intensely until it eventually devours all its fuel and extinguishes in exhaustion. Conversely, boredom at work can be more of a fading ember, gradually fizzling out into oblivion. What they have in common, however, is their potential to lead to a similar work-life balance tippingContinue reading “On Being Bored and Unfulfilled at Work, Virtual Assistant Diary Management Tips, and Finding Work-Life Balance by Quitting Your Corporate 9-5 and Starting Your Own Business – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY FEATURING WOW MOM’S RACHEL GREEN”
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  On The Interplay Between Productivity and Work-Life Balance NEW PODCAST OUT NOW FEATURING LYNDSEY SEGAL
  Productivity is the metric by which so much of our working and home lives are measured. On the surface, it’s all about getting done what you need to get done. And who doesn’t feel good when you get lots of things you need to do done, right? Yet, what’s the interplay between productivity and work-lifeContinue reading “On The Interplay Between Productivity and Work-Life Balance NEW PODCAST OUT NOW FEATURING LYNDSEY SEGAL”
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  On Self-Worth, Skincare Rituals, and Finding Balance Under the Weight of Parental Expectations – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW FEATURING DR FERNANDA DA SILVA TATLEY
  Podcast episode featuring Dr Fernanda da Silva Tatley: On Self-Worth, Skincare Rituals, and Finding Balance Under the Weight of Parental Expectations My guest in this episode is no stranger to mixing things up: she has moved countries and even continents multiple times in her life; she is a scientist with a PhD, describes herself asContinue reading “On Self-Worth, Skincare Rituals, and Finding Balance Under the Weight of Parental Expectations – NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW FEATURING DR FERNANDA DA SILVA TATLEY”
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  On Balancing a Corporate Job With Creative Pursuits, Boundary-Setting & Cultural Influences – Urmi’s Story: NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW FEATURING URMI HOSSAIN
  In a world where the lines between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, achieving a work-life balance that feels right for you often comes down to the boundaries you decide to set for yourself and those around you. For my podcast guest this episode, there is no doubt where her work ends and theContinue reading “On Balancing a Corporate Job With Creative Pursuits, Boundary-Setting & Cultural Influences – Urmi’s Story: NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW FEATURING URMI HOSSAIN”
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  NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY: On Life Purpose, Raising Teens & Finding Work-Life Balance When You’re “The Strong One” – Jennifer Y. Afriye’s Story
  It’s not unusual for conversations about work-life balance to drift into the minutiae of the never-ending to-do list. But what if you flipped the magnifying glass around and saw things from another – more macro – perspective? Such was the conversation I hosted on the podcast episode out today, where my guest, Jennifer Y. AfriyeContinue reading “NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT TODAY: On Life Purpose, Raising Teens & Finding Work-Life Balance When You’re “The Strong One” – Jennifer Y. Afriye’s Story”