These days, more people are embracing achieving a “work-life balance.” Long gone is the idea that people should prioritize work at the expense of their mental and physical health. However, this can be a hard goal, especially for entrepreneurs. And the more successful an individual is, the harder it can be to take a step back willingly.
A great example of this is Beyoncé. Without question, the chanteuse has proven she can do it all. Along with transcending genres, the pop-cultural icon is a fashion designer, an actress and the other half of a powerhouse couple.
As if that’s not enough, she’s also a mom to three children, with the eldest recently joining her as a dancer on the Renaissance tour, which became one of the top-grossing tours in modern history. With all of that activity, it’s easy to see how maintaining her work-life balance would be hard.
But Beyoncé recently revealed that this was a critical life lesson she had to embrace. If you’re struggling with when to let your workload take a backseat to the rest of your life, here’s some inspiration from Queen Bey herself.
Something To Prove
After being the most visible member in one of the most successful girl groups in history, Beyoncé had something to prove when she decided to go solo. She wanted the world to know that she could hold her own as a solo performer. It wasn’t enough to just survive. Bey wanted to thrive, and she did.
Over the years the singer dropped 16 albums which included eight studio albums, five live albums, and three compilations. This has netted her 32 Grammy Awards, making her the most awarded music artist in Grammy history.
However, all that success can often leave a person feeling like they have even more to prove. Even if the idea is just to maintain the status quo, this takes work.
The Risks Of Overwork
People don’t have to be celebrities for this to be a relatable reality. Constantly working without taking time to recharge is a perfect recipe for burnout, and this is supported through research. A recent survey of employee satisfaction conducted by Mercer found that an alarming 82% of respondents felt that they were at risk of burnout.
Burnout is defined as a persistent feeling of exhaustion which can impact a person’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Common signs of burnout can include fatigue, a general feeling of apathy or dissatisfaction, changes in sleep or diet, and even constant headaches. Left untreated, burnout can lead to more serious physical health issues, or even further manifest into diagnosable mental health conditions such as depression.
How Beyoncé Changed The Narrative
There’s nothing wrong with having professional goals. However, if the pursuit of those goals becomes the sole priority above all other aspects of life, something’s wrong. If even major achievements are ignored as “not good enough” because the internal brass ring keeps shifting, something’s wrong.
This is where Beyoncé found herself. She was at the height of her career, but was still relentlessly pursuing more. While her professional life continued to boom, it came at the expense of her wellbeing. Throw in a busy personal life with a family that includes young children and that’s a perfect storm for exhaustion and burnout.
In an interview with GQ, Beyoncé shared, “There was a time when I was pushing myself to meet unrealistic deadlines, while not taking the time to enjoy the benefits of why I was working so hard.”
Eventually, the singer realized that letting work completely dominate her life wasn’t sustainable. As a result, she started creating boundaries and ultimately experienced more success.
Creating A Pathway Forward
A popular mantra that lends itself to work-life balance is “work smarter, not harder.” While the concept isn’t groundbreaking, implementing it can be hard for anyone whether they’re a multi-hyphenate international superstar, or Joe from accounting.
In the GQ interview. Bey shared the lessons she’s learned that help her live that aphorism.
Learn To Say No
A major life lesson Beyoncé embraced was learning to turn down work, public appearances, or opportunities that didn’t resonate with her. In other words, she avoided staying “booked and busy” just for the sake of saying she was working.
She said, “I don’t waste my time on something unless I’m deeply passionate about it.”
Translated for the everyman, this means it’s okay to turn down work projects or opportunities that don’t directly align with your overall goals. If you’re not enthusiastic about an opportunity, it’s okay to walk away and let someone else have a try.
Remember What Really Matters
One of the biggest aha moments in Beyoncé’s work-life balance journey came when she added the title of mother to her endless roles. Becoming a parent is life altering, and can also put into focus what really matters. After the birth of Blue Ivy, the star recognized that it’s okay to slow down and be present for the people most important to you.
Similarly, people should remember that no matter how much a corporation touts the “we’re a family” narrative, they are in fact not family. The workplace is a business with metrics to achieve. In many ways, businesses often view workforces as a means to an end rather than as a core resource to be nurtured. Recognizing this reality can help people maintain perspective when navigating the workplace and when deciding what areas should be prioritized in life.
Don’t Fear The Pivot
Just like Beyoncé eventually learned to say no to tasks that didn’t spark interest, people looking to prioritize their work-life balance need to recognize when it’s time to pivot. A common cause of burnout is workplace dissatisfaction. What’s more, the American Psychology Association’s 2023 Work America Survey found that 57% of American respondents felt they’d experienced negative effects from work-related stress associated with burnout. These included emotional exhaustion, irritability and anger.
Whether tasks seem monotonous, or a manager routinely passes over a hard-working employee in favor of others, people need to know when to let go. Shifting to a workplace that truly fosters growth and recognizes hard work that moves the needle – or even taking the leap towards entrepreneurship – can help to boost individual morale and overall productivity.
Don’t Neglect Self Check-Ins
Another way to prevent burnout and find a true work-life balance is by engaging in self check-ins. Take the time to see if your current activities are actively aligning with your overall goals.
Beyond the professional, also consider your overall mental health. Are there areas outside of work that could use improvement?
Take A Page Out Of A Star’s Playbook
Sometimes celebrities have lives that are impossible to imagine and reach success that others could only dream about. However, while much of Beyoncé’s life may not be relatable to the average person, her realization that no one gets an award for burning out is incredibly relevant for any individual. Taking the time to step back and reorganize priorities can help people achieve more success in the long run.
