As busy physician moms, we often hear about work-life balance as if it’s a simple equation—spend less time at work and more time at home, and voilà, balance achieved! But the truth is, balance isn’t just about how many hours you spend in each place. It’s about where your mind is when you’re there.
The Real Imbalance
Imbalance happens not because of how much time you spend at work or at home, but because of how much time you spend thinking about the other place.
- You’re at work, but your mind is racing about what’s happening at home—unfinished conversations, the kids’ schedules, the never-ending to-do list.
- You’re at home, but your thoughts are stuck at work—patient cases, administrative headaches, or that frustrating interaction with a colleague.
This is what creates that feeling of being out of control, like you’re juggling too many things at once and not fully present anywhere.
The Key to Feeling More Balanced
The real shift happens when you train yourself to be where you are—fully.
- At work? Focus on work. Get your job done without mentally dragging home responsibilities into your headspace.
- At home? Be present. Engage with your family without letting work stress take over your evening.
Balance isn’t about equal time; it’s about mental separation. When you stop carrying one world into the other, you create space for peace, clarity, and more control over your life.
This is a skill you can build—and as a life coach for physician moms, I help my clients do exactly that.
So, where is your mind right now? If you’re ready to feel more balanced and in control, let’s talk.
