Hi There!

Welcome back to a brand-new AskAsh post!

To start the week, Ash sent me an article about Balance. The article goes into how it is a myth, and how there are only trade-offs between a healthy work and life balance. Curious about dealing with Balance, I wanted to get Ash’s perspective on how he views Balance, and how he deals with things such as burnout.

1) If you could go back to your younger self and tell him one piece of advice, what would it be?

Ash’s Response:

It’s funny because most of my beliefs and philosophies are things I have believed in since I was young… much of the management and leadership style I use at WatchMojo are things I was writing about as a young columnist at AskMen, or in my first book Course to Success when I was 23! It’s common sense, but means doing the right thing.

The one thing I didn’t know when I was younger and learned the hard way over time is: people don’t have your principles or values, so don’t assume that others will share your moral compass and ethics. 

2) You mentioned in your article “Balance” that it is an unreachable destination and a constant struggle that you can manage over time. In your opinion, what is the best way to manage balance for someone who is just entering the workforce?

Ash’s Response:

Scott Galloway touched on Balance recently. He is oftentimes right, sometimes wrong, but always entertaining and informative. This may be his best advice, yet, but with a caveat. 

For one, I don’t think it’s ever Work / Life… it’s more Work | Life | Play, because partying in Vegas is less “Life” than “Play,” if you think about it, which is something I covered in: “Balance is a journey to a destination you never arrive to.”

Some people live to work, others work to live. For those in the latter camp, who tend to be very ambitious, driven and so on, his advice is spot on… I am always hesitant to say that to people because as an entrepreneur, I’m not normal (haha) but mainly realize that others may not have that same mindset and may be in the latter camp. Indeed, if you work to live, and view work as a 9-to-5 means to an end – that end being a better Life & Play reality – then no, you don’t want to kill yourself because that does add a ton of mileage and comes with stress, anxiety, PTSD and much more. But, without a doubt, the more you put in early on, the more you get out later on. It’s that saying: entrepreneurship is living a few years like few want to, to be able to live the rest of your life like few can.

I guess the best thinkers say things that you wish you’d said yourself but didn’t think of or dare to say. I’ve stopped telling those who lack ambition, drive, initiative to be leaders… I touched on this in Eagles vs Turkeys.

3) What is the best way to deal with burnout at work in your opinion?

Ash’s Response:

You need to do something else, be it cooking, traveling, sports, music. You literally cannot be 24/7 on one singular thing that drives you professionally. It’s also good to remember to take your work seriously but not take yourself too seriously! 

Lastly, if you want to ask Ash questions directly, you can do so with the link here:

https://watchmojo.com/suggest/AskMojo%20-%20WatchMojo’s%20founder%20Ash