▼ Summary
– Modern work flexibility and fast-changing targets are causing widespread burnout among professionals.
– Business leaders emphasize that outdoor activities like mountain climbing help them disconnect mentally from work demands.
– Spending quality time with family and engaging in shared activities is crucial for maintaining work/life balance.
– Reading books and pursuing hobbies such as Lego-building provide mental recovery and spark new ideas.
– Regular physical exercise and established daily routines help professionals decompress and manage work pressures effectively.
Finding a sustainable work-life balance remains a critical challenge for professionals navigating today’s demanding business environment. The pressure to meet shifting goals and the blurring lines between work and home life can lead to burnout, making it essential for leaders to deliberately carve out time for personal rejuvenation. Six seasoned executives share their personal strategies for maintaining equilibrium, demonstrating that success doesn’t require sacrificing well-being.
Jakob Rissmann, principal product owner at FlixBus, finds his escape in the mountains near his Munich home. For him, long climbs are more than exercise; they are a form of mental recovery. “When you’re in the mountains, you’re climbing for nine or 10 hours, and you’re absolutely in the moment,” he explains. This intense physical effort allows him to disconnect completely from the fast-paced tech world, providing a mental reset that leaves him exhausted physically but refreshed mentally.
Kirsty Roth, chief operations and technology officer at Thomson Reuters, prioritizes quality time with her family in the Swiss outdoors. Weekends are reserved for mountain hikes or water activities with her husband and two daughters. She acknowledges the temptation to work around the clock but firmly believes that a non-stop approach helps no one. Making time for family and nature is a non-negotiable part of her strategy for staying effective and grounded.
For Sacha Vaughan, chief supply chain officer at Joseph Joseph, reading non-fiction is a primary source of inspiration and mental escape. Books like “Supremacy” and “Shoe Dog” not only offer compelling stories but also spark innovative ideas relevant to her work. Describing herself as a perpetual learner, she finds that reading pulls her out of her own head and continuously fuels her professional creativity.
David Walmsley, chief digital and technology officer at Pandora, champions the importance of personal hobbies. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet coffee outdoors, building intricate Lego sets like the Millennium Falcon, diving into a political biography, or tending his garden, these activities are vital for resetting his mind. He emphasizes that everyone needs their own version of this strategy to maintain professional health and personal satisfaction.
Orla Daly, CIO at Skillsoft, leverages exercise and family time to decompress. Attending her children’s sporting events and making time for walks or runs helps her manage stress. She notes that career maturity brings perspective, allowing her to better assess workplace pressures. With experience, she has learned to differentiate true emergencies from manageable issues, creating a more sustainable equilibrium.
Fausto Fleites, vice president of data intelligence at ScottsMiracle-Gro, structures his life around non-negotiable family routines and early morning exercise. He cooks for his son, helps with homework, and puts him to bed daily. By waking at 5 a.m. to work out before starting his desk work, he ensures physical activity is integrated into his schedule. He firmly believes that blending physical exercise with work is far more effective for achieving balance than working continuously without a break.
(Source: ZDNET)