The Real Secret to Work–Life Balance: Why “Me Time” Must Come First

Achieving a great work–life balance is one of the questions I get asked more than almost anything else. And here’s the truth:
I don’t believe any of us ever achieve the perfect balance.
Work–life balance isn’t a destination. It’s a constant journey — full of imperfections, adjustments, and lessons. And in many ways, it’s those imperfections that make the journey meaningful.

What I’ve learned over the years is that everyone’s definition of balance is different. What feels balanced for me may look completely unbalanced to my family, my friends, or my colleagues. That’s because balance is personal. It reflects the life you are building, the goals you are chasing, and the people you want to spend time with.

But even though perfect balance doesn’t exist, better balance absolutely does — and that starts with having the right system.

My Yellow Box Diary System

It’s not a complicated concept, despite the name. There’s nothing magical about the colour yellow. It simply helps me categorise my time into three very clear sections:

1. Yellow Boxes – “In Time”

This is time spent in the business:

• Client meetings

• Revenue-generating activity

• Face-to-face work

It’s the work most people assume should go into the diary first.

2. Blue Boxes – “On Time”

This is strategic preparation time:

• Planning

• Phone calls

• Paperwork

• Exams or professional development

• Anything that sets the foundation for the yellow box activities

This time ensures that when you are in the business, you’re performing at your best.

3. Red Boxes – “Me Time”

And here’s the part that surprises people most:
Your me time should ALWAYS go into the diary first.

Why?
Because business grows stronger when the person leading it is energised, focused, and fulfilled. When you put yourself last, you eventually run out of capacity — and your business starts to run you, not the other way around.

Those who achieve the greatest sense of balance almost always protect their personal time first, then structure their business around it.

Building a Business That Works for You

A business should give you freedom, not take it away.
A diary filled entirely with yellow boxes is a business in control of you. But when you prioritise me time, and when you allocate structured preparation time, the yellow box activities almost always take care of themselves.

No, we may never reach the mythical “perfect balance,” but by using systems and processes that honour your wellbeing, you move closer to a life where work and fulfilment coexist — not compete.

And that, in my experience, is the closest any of us will get to true work–life balance.