That answer (or some variation thereof) is one we often get for the final response in our Forty under 40 questionnaire. And it's not surprising.
So many winners have expressed in one way or another how full their lives are but at the same time how they feel they are just at the beginning of their careers and how much more there is to do.
Their daily lists include not only the extensive responsibilities of being business leaders, but extraordinary community work, mentorship, commitment to family and, in some cases, global travel and project development.
But at what cost does this workload come?
Some, like Yael Cohen, find that they sacrifice their health: "I was cancelling workouts to get an extra hour of work in, grabbing quick meals to save time and thought sleep was for the weak."
Others never seem to get a day off. (Greg Bobolo would tell his younger self to take a vacation.)
And this year, about half a dozen of these outstanding business operators have advice that focuses on finding balance between work and family.
Both Stuart Breen and Andrew Booth counsel that careers are marathons, not sprints. And Juanita Lohmeyer says she would have started meditating earlier.
How familiar is this refrain? Many of us cancel our own extra-curricular activities, and our social lives, travel, family time and heath all suffer when we're so focused on squeezing in that one extra hour of work.
So what is the point of getting all this wonderful advice if we read it and do nothing?
While the bios on the following pages may inspire you to push yourselves further, take more risks and strive for higher levels of achievement, our winners would urge you to pay attention also to the guidance they would give their younger selves when it comes to finding balance.
Whether you're launching your first startup or weathered with experience, use the information to create a workload – and life – that can be sustained.
Remember – it's a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself as you go and do everything.
— Baila Lazarus, news features editor, Business in Vancouver
