By Silva Lila

Personal time isn’t a distraction from success—it’s the foundation of it. With the holidays around the corner, my mind went straight to the famous equation: us and work-life balance. As women, balancing work and family isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention.
For years, I believed that giving 200% to my career was the only way to prove my worth. I chased deadlines, stayed late for meetings, worked during family vacations and filled my calendar with dinners and drinks alongside colleagues. It was, and to some degree still is, 24/7 engagement. In a world that often glorifies hustle and endless productivity, choosing joy over work can feel radical. Yet it is a choice that redefines success. In today’s fast-paced professional world, it’s easy to believe that after-hours socialising with colleagues is essential for career growth. And yes, you and I have done it under the “it’s needed for the business” label. Drinks after work, late-night dinners, or weekend networking events often feel like part of the job description. But the truth is, those hours hold even greater value when spent at home—with family, friends and loved ones. On the surface, it looked like dedication. But beneath it all, guilt lingered—memories of missed soccer practices, piano recitals and quiet evenings at home that slipped away while I was busy proving myself at work. The dedication remains the same, but the approach has changed.

The Cost of Neglecting Personal Time

Prioritising personal time is a cornerstone of achieving a healthy work-life balance. When personal time consistently takes a back seat, stress and burnout often follow. I know this truth not just in theory, but through lived experience. I poured myself into my career, believing that relentless dedication was the only path to success. Yet the more I gave, the more I felt depleted. I raised the bar to infinite and the only one I was competing with was myself and my valuable time. Missing family dinners, skipped hobbies and neglecting rest became the hidden costs of my ambition. That guilt became a turning point. I realised that professional success should never come at the expense of family. In the end, success is not measured by hours logged or titles earned. It’s measured by the joy we choose, the promises we keep, and the lives we touch when we show up fully—both at work and at home.

The Turning Point of Choosing Balance

When people ask me why family time beats business socialising, I always go back to my turning point. Years ago, I made a promise to myself: work would remain important, but it would no longer overshadow the joy of personal life. It certainly didn’t give me back the missed soccer practices, recitals and little smiley faces, but it was soon enough to cherish more of the same moments to come. By prioritising the moments that matter, I’ve found a deeper sense of fulfilment than any promotion or accolade could offer. Our careers can continue to thrive, but they do so alongside the richness of personal connection. The shift was subtle at first. I began saying no to after-hours commitments, choosing instead to be present at the dinner table.

Since then, I’ve made intentional choices to protect my personal time. I block off evenings for family, carve out weekends for rest and allow myself space to pursue passions outside of work. I traded networking events for bedtime stories, late-night emails for laughter with loved ones. And with each choice, I discovered something profound: joy doesn’t diminish ambition; it fuels it. These moments don’t detract from my career; they enhance it. With renewed energy and perspective, I approach challenges more effectively and find greater satisfaction in both work and life. I realised that professional achievements lose their shine when they come at the expense of health and relationships. Personal time isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It restores energy, nurtures creativity and strengthens the bonds that make life meaningful.

Time with family isn’t just about being present; it’s about building bonds that last a lifetime. It’s an emotional connection that strengthens relationships and creates lasting memories. But not just that—our health and well-being matter too, and they need space to recharge. Work commitment is present more than ever, and yes, there are times that work takes centre stage with longer hours, but not as often as before, because alternatives can be applied strategically while still meeting our goals.

Mixing Business and Alcohol: A Risky Cocktail

I am a true believer that business communication should be professional regardless of the venue. The combination of business and alcohol often creates unnecessary risks that can blur boundaries and compromise credibility. While social drinking may seem like a way to build rapport, it can quickly lead to behaviour that undermines trust and damages both personal and brand image. Being a hands-on executive, I always value true commitment during decision-making. One of the most significant dangers is impaired judgment. Negotiations, discussions and commitments require clarity and focus, yet alcohol clouds both. What might feel like a casual conversation over drinks can result in miscommunication, forgotten promises or poor choices that linger long after the evening ends.

Misunderstandings are real and they do exist. In contrast, alcohol-free interactions remain sharp, productive and memorable, ensuring that professional relationships are built on reliability and respect. Beyond the immediate risks, alcohol also affects long-term productivity. Late-night drinking often leads to fatigue, stress and diminished performance the following day. Ultimately, mixing business with alcohol is a tradition that deserves reconsideration. Clear minds foster stronger partnerships, healthier teams and sustainable success. Choosing professionalism over drinking ensures that business interactions remain credible, productive and aligned with values of health and respect.

Conclusion

Setting boundaries between work and personal life is essential for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout. Separating work and personal spaces is important. We all need to mentally “switch off” from work. Our priorities after work hours help us stay clear on the matter, and we should politely decline things that don’t align with our goals. Saying “no” without guilt is a skill that protects not just our time and energy but also maintains positive relationships. Using the right strategies helps guide our decisions. Work will always demand attention, but it should never consume the whole of who we are. By prioritising personal time, we safeguard our well-being and create a balance that allows us to thrive—not just as professionals, but as whole human beings. Saying “no” is an act of self-respect that must be normalised as part of our boundaries. It is all about our mindset.