Forget work-life balance. Try work-life mission instead

I remember the moment I realized that “work-life balance” would never work for me. It was a few years into building Project Petals, my impact and environmental organization, and I was deep in burnout. My work was so deeply connected to my values that drawing a boundary felt near impossible. Whenever I prioritized rest, it felt like I was doing so at the very expense of my mission. But every hour spent on my business felt like an hour borrowed from my personal life, often at the expense of my sleep, my social life, wellness, and time with loved ones—all things I need to be productive. That d...