Stop striving for balance: Why flow is your new best friend

In an era where “work-life balance” has become a persistent mantra, Grant Difford offers a provocative alternative: stop striving for balance and start embracing flow. Drawing from his experience with Kiwi business owners, he argues that true productivity and fulfillment arise not from splitting time evenly but from focusing deeply on what truly matters.

You’ve likely heard it countless times: “You need to find work-life balance.” It’s the kind of advice that sounds perfect in theory but feels impossible in practice. As we approach 2025, I’m going to suggest something radical: Stop chasing balance. Instead, embrace flow.

Let’s be honest – the whole concept of work-life balance implies that work and life are somehow separate entities, locked in an eternal tug-of-war for your attention.

As someone who works closely with small business owners, I’ve seen firsthand how this mindset creates more stress than solutions. Your business isn’t just some compartment of your life; it’s an integral part of who you are and what you do.

Think about the most satisfying days in your business. They probably weren’t the days when everything was perfectly balanced. They were the days when you were in flow – when time seemed to disappear, and everything just clicked. That’s not balance; that’s alignment.

So, with that said, let’s look ahead to the inevitable process of setting New Year’s resolutions and how they will inevitably trip you up sooner rather than later… (unless you are a gym owner, hold tight for that surge you know is coming.)

You know the drill: “This year, I’ll work less and spend more time with family,” or “I’ll finally achieve that perfect work-life balance.” But let’s face it – by February, most of these resolutions are already gathering dust.

Why? Because these resolutions often focus on quick fixes and arbitrary divisions of time rather than sustainable changes. They’re based on the flawed premise that if we just try hard enough to balance everything, we’ll finally feel fulfilled.

Here’s what I’ve learned from working with countless Kiwi business owners: Success isn’t about doing more things in perfect balance; it’s about doing fewer things better. This isn’t just a nice theory – it’s practical business sense.

Consider this: When you’re constantly switching between tasks to maintain “balance,” you’re reducing your effectiveness in everything you do.

Research shows that multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40%. That’s not balance – that’s chaos.

Instead of trying to do everything, focus on identifying what truly matters. Those two key clients may bring in 80 percent of your revenue. Or perhaps it’s the core service that truly sets your business apart. Whatever it is, giving it your full attention will yield better results than trying to juggle everything simultaneously.

The flow state isn’t some mystical concept – it’s a practical approach to working smarter. It’s about arranging your business and life so that activities flow naturally from one to another rather than forcing rigid compartmentalisation.

For example, instead of strictly separating “work time” and “family time,” look for natural ways to integrate them. Maybe that means involving your kids in some aspects of your business or using your business skills to organise family projects. The key is finding what works for you and your unique situation.

Practical steps for moving from balance to flow

1. Identify your peak hours: Start by recognising when you’re naturally most productive. Are you a morning person who does your best work before noon? Structure your day around these natural rhythms rather than forcing yourself into an arbitrary schedule.
2. Create themes rather than rigid schedules: Instead of trying to balance everything every day, consider dedicating different days to different aspects of your business and life. Mondays are for strategic planning, while Wednesdays are for client meetings. This creates a natural flow rather than constant context-switching.
3. Focus on energy management, not just time management: Time isn’t the only resource you need to manage. Your energy and attention are equally important. Spending two focused hours on a task is sometimes more productive than spreading it across a whole day.

As we approach the new year, consider setting intentions about flow instead of making resolutions about balance. Ask yourself:

• What activities truly energise me and my business?
• Where am I spending energy that doesn’t add value?
• How can I arrange my work and life to support natural rhythms rather than fight against them?

Remember, the goal isn’t to achieve some perfect state of equilibrium. It’s to create a sustainable, enjoyable way of working and living that feels natural and productive.

Balance suggests that work and life are opposing forces that must be kept in check. Flow recognises that they’re part of the same stream.

When you stop trying to balance everything perfectly and start focusing on creating natural flows in your business and life, something interesting happens: You become more effective, more present, and, ironically, more balanced.

As we move into 2025, let’s leave behind the myth of perfect balance and embrace the reality of flow. Your business – and your life – will thank you for it.