Before Breakfast Second Cup: Substance first, balance after that
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Oct 5, 2025 Discover the importance of pursuing work you love before negotiating for balance. Focusing on substance can prevent dissatisfaction from chasing schedule-only jobs. Learn how to gain flexibility at work by proving your value first. The common notion of work-life balance is critiqued, revealing it as a misleading concept that suggests work and life are at odds. Ultimately, true career satisfaction stems from enjoying what you do, rather than just working fewer hours.
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Prioritize Work Substance First
- Focus on the substance of the work before prioritizing schedule or flexibility.
- Then negotiate or seize the balance you want once the job's core excites you.
Why She Chose Self-Employment
- Laura explains she didn't choose self-employment for flexibility but to write what she wanted to write.
- Flexibility became a perk of building a profitable solo career rather than the original goal.
Balance-First Choices Can Backfire
- Choosing a job solely for balance can lead to boredom and feeling underpaid over time.
- Strict demands (like never traveling) narrow options more than flexible compromises do.