The Myth of Balance (Utter Bullsh*t)

You’ve been sold the idea that balance is the ultimate benchmark. The kind that looks like something like this...

Show up as a high-performing Woman in business. Deliver results. Be present at home. Prioritise self-care. Fit in a run. Meditate. Answer emails. Eat clean. Lead calmly. Oh, and keep the diary colour-coded while you’re at it.

It’s become a performance in itself and one that leaves even the most capable women feeling behind, out of sync, or like they’re failing at something every day.

But here’s the truth: balance isn’t the goal, it’s a distraction. A standard built on unrealistic expectations, not real life.

Put it this way.. you only get 24 chips a day. That’s your currency: energy, focus, capacity. And they go fast.

You’ve already used 6–8 sleeping (if you're lucky), another 2–3 eating, commuting, existing. That leaves maybe 13 chips (on a good day) to lead your team, make strategic decisions, coach your people, handle unexpected fires, care for others, squeeze in some self-care, and maybe send that overdue follow-up.

You can’t spend them everywhere. Not all at once.

The real flex isn’t doing it all. It’s choosing where to invest. What gets your leadership today? What can wait? And what’s quietly draining you for no return?

The modern woman isn’t lacking balance. She’s drowning in unrealistic expectations. She’s measuring herself against a highlight reel of ‘shoulds.’ And beating herself up when she doesn’t stretch, meditate, crush Q3 and post on LinkedIn before 10am.

But what if the problem isn’t you? What if the real issue is this myth we’ve been fed, that we can and should do it all, evenly, every day?

Balance is static. You’re dynamic.

What creates real leadership flow? Not balance, alignment. Intentional imbalance. Conscious choice.

Here’s a tool I share with clients to cut through the noise:

The ‘WTF Is Going On’ Wheel

(because clarity doesn’t need to be boring).

Draw a circle. Split it into segments: career, family, health, rest, relationships, joy, whatever matters to you. Score each one 1–10 based on satisfaction. Then ask:

• Where am I over-giving?

• Where am I starving for attention?

• What matters most this season?

• What do I need to release or re-prioritise?

This isn’t about guilt, it’s about data. Self-awareness is power. And clarity? That’s the real flex.

So if you’re feeling off-kilter, don’t ask “How do I do more?” Ask: Where do I need to choose differently?

Because you can’t scale chaos. You can’t optimise misalignment. And you damn sure can’t find peace trying to do everything, all at once, perfectly.

You have 24 chips a day. Choose where they go. Wisely. Intentionally. Boldly. And for the love of growth, let go of the bullsh*t that says you need to do it all at the same time.

Your leadership isn't a juggle. It’s a series of conscious choices. Choose like the woman you’re becoming.

Want to walk through the ‘WTF Is Going On’ Wheel with me?

I support high-performing women in business to recalibrate how they show up in their business, shifting from overwhelm to strategic clarity, sustainable growth, and unapologetic impact.

Until next time, keep leading boldly and spending those chips like a woman who knows her worth.

Katie K