By Emily Winslow, JVA Consulting

This blog explores the often-pondered problem that social entrepreneurs (and many other changemakers and social activists) face—a lack of “balance” between professional and personal life. But is that really a “problem”? JVA’s Social Enterprise Intern explores this concept in this week’s blog.

Graduate student. Social Enterprise Intern. Tutor. Babysitter. Advocate. Dog owner. Friend. Roommate. These are just a few of the hats and positions I oscillate between on a daily basis.  While my family and friends often perceive my “hustling” lifestyle as something that is unhealthy or just part of the late 20s experience, I enjoy the rush and sense of accomplishment I feel by hitting the pillow, mentally exhausted after working on significant projects full of question marks. Working on developing the career of my dreams while taking classes and juggling a personal life is a 24/7 process that keeps me up at night and forces me out of bed in the morning when the sun comes up.

When I came across this blog post: Balance? Don’t Believe the Hype in the New York Times by Cliff Oxford, I felt an immediate wave of relief and permission to be myself.  It’s OK that I don’t go skiing in the mountains every weekend. It’s OK that I’d rather take on multiple jobs to further my career rather than waiting for opportunities to land in my lap. As Oxford states, “many want to change the world, which is a very demanding job. And once you start to smell success, it is hard to stop. You become an addict, but instead of getting drunk at a bar, you get high on work.” It was the silver lining I needed and more affirmation that being a changemaker is hard work! But so very worth it. In reading this article, for the first time I thought to myself: it’s socially acceptable to be entrepreneurially motivated and not have it all figured out. Not only that, but it’s not a sacrifice because the process is worth it. As part of my social enterprise internship, I learn more and more every day about social entrepreneurs whose “job” and “personal life” are often one and the same—these innovators build their careers around what they are passionate about. I find this inspiring.

While my generation has been categorized as entitled or conversely full of slacktivists, there is a crucial grey area comprised of many bright, entrepreneurial and socially conscious individuals starting kickstarter campaigns and utilizing innovative funding mechanisms to start new business ventures that are outside the box. Even the membership for the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is highly competitive. In this globalized world, continually reinventing myself and tackling the impossible encompasses my every fiber. Therefore, I’m emboldened by the notion that I don’t need to feel pressure to be balanced, but rather should focus on fulfillment both professionally and personally by emphasizing integration. That, I can handle and wrap my mind around: constantly establishing and renegotiating boundaries between my academic, home and work life.

As Oxford so eloquently puts it, “boundaries are trade-offs, and entrepreneurs are good at negotiating trade-offs. Balance is propaganda that sells well but is a cruel hoax that will continue to write tragedies.” Can I please get that on a bumper sticker?