“What comes first, the Coffee or the Breakdown?”
I found myself pondering this as the coffee drip filled the silence of an early morning. It’s the ritual that kick-starts my day, but it’s also a moment of reflection before diving into my demanding role of Head of Marketing and nurturing the early steps of my own creative branding agency.
The steaming cup in my hands doesn’t just wake me up; it ‘subconsciously’ prepares me for likely onslaught of stress that will come my way on my relentless pursuit of success. I’m fuelled by a passion for what I do, but there’s this lingering thought — am I waking up for the love of the job, or the fear of getting left behind?
There’s a part of me that longs for times gone by, when ambition didn’t always mean a race against rivals, and your career wasn’t the centrepiece of your identity. A time when carving out a niche for yourself was challenging but not cutthroat.
Don’t get me wrong, I love lot’s of things that come with my dual roles. The satisfaction of creating a brand’s journey and watching it take flight is an amazing feeling. Even better when it’s your own business starting to take off! However, this morning’s thoughts were a reminder of the simpler aspirations we often leave behind in our quest for professional accomplishments.
So, here I am, sipping on my liquid lifeline, contemplating if there’s room to ease off the accelerator without losing momentum. Is it possible to lead and succeed without succumbing to the all-consuming nature of modern work-life?
I guess what I’m seeking is better balance — a way to embrace the ambition and often passion that drives me while also finding moments of calm amidst the storm.
To finding our balance,
Jack
