Those most outspoken about the importance of work/ life balance are preaching atop a fat pile of cash they earned by violating their own gospel.

Unless you’re a tightrope walker, you don’t achieve mastery in your vocation through balance. You achieve mastery by finding something you’re obsessed with and then working like a dog on speed.

For the first decade of your vocation, you want to gain a reputation for being the kind of person that gets things done. You want to be relentless. You want to show up first. You want to leave last. You want to be easy to reach. You want to be quick to respond. You want to be obvious to work with. You want to say “yes” to everything. You want to be indispensable. You want to do really, really good work.

This will cost you a few friendships. You won’t remember everyone’s birthday. This will cost you a few life experiences. You won’t make it to every wedding. This will cost you a few vacations. You won’t have the prettiest Instagram page. This will cost you a few relationships. You won’t be the perfect partner.

It’s called “making sacrifices” because you are quite literally making sacrifices. The only difference between you and the Aztecs is there is less blood.

You can’t have it all and anyone who says otherwise is in denial of the sacrifices they’ve had to make along the way. As you grow older, you will become increasingly more aware of these sacrifices. You will likely have to reckon with them.And so you should place a considerable amount of thought into the sacrifices you make for your vocational. It’s not for everyone.

You will likely be happier finding balance with your work and your life. But, don’t be under the false impression that balance breeds mastery in vocation. It doesnt. Mastery is earned only through obsession, and obsession is paid for in the sacrifices we’re willing to make.