Last month, a 22-year-old entrepreneur named Emil Barr wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal with a provocative title: “‘Work-Life Balance’ Will Keep You Mediocre.”
He starts with a bold assertion:
“I’m 22 and I’ve established two companies valued at over $20 million…When people inquire how I achieved this, the response isn’t what they expect—or wish—to hear. I completely abandoned work-life balance and just focused on work. By prioritizing success early on, you gain the freedom of choice for the rest of your life.”
As Barr details, when he began his first company, he only slept three and a half hours each night. “The physical and mental consequences were severe: I gained 80 pounds, relied on Red Bull, and faced anxiety,” he explains. “However, this level of intensity was essential to build a multimillion-dollar enterprise.”
He concludes the article with a painfully cringeworthy statement. “I intend to become a billionaire by age 30,” he declares. “After that, I will have the time and resources to address significant issues like climate change, species extinction, and economic inequality.”
(Allow for applause.)
It’s easy to ridicule Barr’s youthful confidence, though I must be cautious not to judge, considering my own experiences (ahem).
Still, some of the immediate criticism may arise from the uncomfortable realization that hidden beneath this show of busyness could be a grain of truth. Are we sacrificing our chance to create a meaningful impact with our work if we emphasize balance too much? As NYU professor Suzy Welch pointed out, “I give [Barr] credit for saying something I often express to my M.B.A. students …You cannot simply will yourself to wealth.”
To address these concerns, let's consider the perspective of another young person: me. In an essay I wrote at 27—while completing my doctoral dissertation at MIT—I stated:
“I found writing my thesis similar to writing my books. It requires grit: You have to apply intense focus, almost daily, over an extended period.
This, to me, is what I define as hard work. However, it’s important to note that the regular sessions of intense focus that make up hard work don't need to be excessively long. In fact, hard work is not painful or unsustainable. With very few exceptions, I was able to maintain my consistent 9 to 5:30 schedule while working on my thesis.
In contrast, the schedules followed by many graduate students exemplify what I term hard to do work. Working 14 hours a day, without breaks, for months is incredibly taxing! It depletes your energy. It’s painful and unsustainable.
I am increasingly convinced that a significant amount of student stress stems from not recognizing the difference between these two types of work. Students believe large projects should be difficult, leading them to adopt hard to do habits as the norm.
By clearly outlining the alternative of straightforward hard work, I hope to persuade you that the hard to do approach is a poor way to tackle major challenges.”
I titled that article simply: Focus Hard. In Reasonable Bursts. One Day at a Time.
This approach has served me well. Now at 43, I believe I am still avoiding mediocrity—all while rarely working past 5:30 p.m. I’m not willing to compromise on the other things I value to chase relentless grind.
Barr is still young, and his body can endure his hustle a bit longer. However, I hope that those drawn to his message might also consider mine. Achieving substantial results requires disciplined, persistent effort over an extended period, which is a distinct commitment from the chaotic busyness celebrated by Barr. I work diligently almost every day, but those days are seldom overwhelming. This distinction is important.
Last month, a 22-year-old entrepreneur named Emil Barr released an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal with a striking title: “’Work-Life Balance’ Will Keep You Mediocre.” He ... Read more