That Work Life Balance

“If you don’t want to work hard” don’t go into this career.

Those words stuck in my head after my favorite visit, to Virtue 55.

It’s true. Not wanting to work hard probably doesn’t mean advertising. I knew that. What I didn’t think about before talking to people in the industry were the tiring nights that extend far beyond college. I pondered the reality of the industry and I’m excited that it has sparked an entirely new understanding in my head. Advertising isn’t all the good glittery stuff. It’s tough clients, late nights, wrong ideas, and pitches that don’t make it through. But all of this leads to that ultra-rewarding glittery stuff. And it’ll be so worth it.

But, I do appreciate the changing landscape of the industry. Agencies want you to take a break. Rokkan mentioned going to get coffee, taking a walk around the block and other mind-freeing opportunities to just breathe.

Working hard will be a definite thing, yes, and I have opened myself up to the idea of an extremely late night where the ideas might still not come. I might be sleep-deprived at some points while at others I might not be. But the passion will all still be there. For this career and this opportunity to better brands, people, and our world.

I’ve always thought “work hard, play harder.” And while I think that’s changing into more of a balance between the two, I think I’ll be okay with that.

Lindsey Epifano 5.15.19