The Life of Pie: Inner Balance for Leaders

We often talk about “work-life balance” as though life were a set of scales we could adjust to achieve perfect symmetry. But that is clearly nonsence! Definitely invented by an HR department somewhere, and is a fundamentally flawed concept. I have been writing about the rediculousness of ‘work-life balance’ as a concept since 2011.

We like to think of a large pie (always a comforting image as I remember homemade apple pies with relish). Life is a whole, we can divided into slices. Life of Pie! work is just one slice, and perhaps a large slice - but everything else needs its own slice too: family, health, creativity, contribution, rest. And each slice matters. Let the Equinox remind you that Inner Balance is about letting the size of each slice shift as the years and seasons move.

Sometimes, work demands more of the pie. A new job, a new project, a critical deadline, or a leadership role that requires your full focus. At other times, family calls more strongly. A child’s milestone, a parent in need, or a season of caregiving. Health, too, can suddenly demand the largest slice where your priorities need to shift.

Once problem is imagining the pie only has two equal halves - the Work slice and the Life slice! Blantantly absurd! The next problem comes when we assume balance means every slice must always be equal. In reality, each slice has its own momentum, continuous and moving. At times, one piece may expand into a pie of its own (I have recently included rest as it's own pie - there are 7 types of rest after all - see the Blog on Rest). At other times, slices shrink back, making space for something else to grow.

What matters is not rigid equality, but conscious choice. Leaders who regularly check in with their ‘Life of Pie’ are better able to notice where energy is flowing freely, and where it is blocked. What has slipped through the net that you need to make time for. Where are you giving too much of your time. You can adjust with intention, rather than drifting into imbalance by default.

At the Equinox, light and dark meet in equal measure for just a moment. It’s a reminder that balance is less about perfection and more about rhythm. Where is your pie calling for attention this season? Which slice is nourishing you, and which is quietly shrinking to nothing, leaving you hungry for its particular nutrients in your life?

Remember, it’s not about surface shifts, but about embodying the courage to truly become the leader you are meant to be. Balance isn’t about making every ‘slice’ equal, its about rhythm and focus.

Use this powerful time to reflect. You might use the following prompt the next time you journal: If I draw (or re-visit) my Life Pie, which slice is missing out? which most needs nourishing going forward?

If you are ready to step into a deeper transformation, get in touch, as you may be ready to join out IGNITE Circle, which takes a select group of women through a Quantum Success Programme in a hugely supportive sisterhood. There is a men’s one planned too, so get in touch if it’s for you!