With the pace of business accelerating every day it's harder and harder to maintain a balance between one's work and personal lives. So here are some thoughts from famous people that I've used to put things in perspective.
For starters, time has always been at a premium. Back in the early 19th century Napoleon said, "Go sir, gallop and don't forget that the world was made in six days. You can ask me for anything you like, except time." Thus, what becomes important is to ensure that you spend time on what's important. As Thoreau said, "our life is frittered away with detail....simplify, simplify" (of course, if he really meant that he would of just said "simplify" once!). This also means setting aside time to work on top priorities and in parallel, not signing up for things that are not important. To quote Nancy Reagan (albeit in a different context); "Just say 'No'". One further point; you need not overwork yourself but instead should spend your time in a focused manner. As E.W. Elmore said, It is not half as important to burn the midnight oil as it is to be awake in the daytime."
One must also take risks. Without taking risks, both personal and professional, you cannot attain your full potential. As the Scottish hero William Wallace says in the movie "Braveheart", "All men die. Not every man really lives."
And finally, one needs to take time to enjoy life. All of us have hobbies. As a boater I identify with this famous quote from Grahame, "Believe me, my young friends, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Whatever you like to "mess about" doing, make sure you set aside time to do so.
