Work, at its core, is the exertion of effort toward achieving a purpose. Its meaning shifts in different contexts, yet it generally implies channeling energy and applying skills to create, improve, or attain something of value. Life, or more specifically for the purposes of this article, personal life, encompasses what lies outside the professional sphere—relationships, interests, activities, and responsibilities that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness, identity, and growth.
Given these definitions, what, then, is the essence of “work-life balance”? Life thrives on growth, as does work. Yet, growth in life occurs in cycles. Consider the rapid physical and emotional changes of adolescence, marked by spurts of energy and bouts of exhaustion, or the changing of the seasons and the cycles of a plant. No living being functions without rest; similarly, continuous labor, untempered by rest, will inevitably hinder both growth and productivity. As a parent, I find I now have to balance not only my work commitments, but a routine of school runs, homework help, meal preparation, a never ending list of household chores, and the relentless stream of “life admin” that accompanies dual-working-parent households. Work-life balance therefore I believe is the long term maintenance of this growth cycle. Between the effort expended in the pursuit of our goals be they work or personal and the rest that allows us to recuperate our physical and mental energy to keep coming back to our pursuit of growth. Steven Covey in the classic business book, 7 habits of highly successful people, illustrated this point perfectly with the metaphor of Sharpening the Saw.
When I returned to the corporate world last year following the sale of Mina, I quickly felt the burden of maintaining this relentless rhythm, physically and mentally. Thats not to say that the startup world was any less busy or indeed stressful, but something shifted in my psychology. My mornings have long began before dawn, sneaking in moments of solitude while walking the dog. Gone are the days when I could easily escape for a weekend mountain adventure to replenish my energy stores; these luxuries need to be diarised months in advance! But the demands of integrating the startup we loved into a new corporate structure served to amplify the stress. As a leader, I put on a brave front for my team, but as I was transferring all my responsibilities to the wider organisation and I knew that it would eventually phase my role from the business. This pressure led to what I believe to be a physical manifestation of stress. Within months, I had torn my medial collateral ligament in my right knee and developed an inguinal hernia, again on the right side. Surgery required time off, but I failed to recognise the need for a mental reprieve as well.
Eventually as my previous responsibilities were handed over, I accepted a new role to provide stability for my family. But fulfilment was elusive, leading me to re-evaluate what I wanted from my career and life. Through extensive reflection and mentoring, I came to a realisation of the need for balance I could sustain — a kind that allows me control over my work and schedule but importantly the choice of what I pursue.
This realisation was foundational to starting Trove. I envisioned a business grounded in a sense of purpose, fuelled by energy and enthusiasm both professionally and personally. Trove was born out of the belief that if I can operate from a place of wellness and inspiration, I can create something that genuinely inspires others.
In practice, this pursuit of balance manifests in several ways. I work four days a week, alternating between a home office and a co-working space for both solitude and social connection. Each day includes time for exercise, with mornings dedicated to creative work and afternoons for administrative tasks. Weekly, I take time for personal enjoyment—be it a countryside walk with my dog, a solo bike ride or playing in the band I’ve been part of for the last decade. This routine has recharged my motivation to grow Trove while allowing me to be fully present with my family and also dedicate time to community volunteering. It has improved not only my productivity but also my physical strength, patience, and overall sense of well-being.
This philosophy—of building from a place of balance—will guide the future of Trove. It will influence our approach to hiring and the counsel we offer clients. Just as one must put on an oxygen mask before assisting others in a flight emergency, it is our responsibility to nurture ourselves in order to effectively support those who depend on us.