As a working dad trying to juggle a demanding career in product management, family time, and personal well-being, I’ve often heard the term “work-life balance” thrown around. But here’s the truth — it’s a myth. In fact, the pursuit of perfect balance can set you up for failure and disappointment.

As I typically work remotely from a child’s bedroom, I find it easy for hours to pass without realizing I haven’t drunk anything or moved in 4 hours. While the ability to focus is great, that’s also where the challenge lies. Finding a suitable balance is key, and it’s not something I’ve mastered up to this point.

Add to this the expectation in today’s corporate world that you are required to work across time zones, and I can easily find myself working right up until my kids’ bedtime on those wonderful Teams calls, missing out on any semblance of family time.

So how do you strike a balance?

This is something I am yet to master personally. As a manager of a team, I have seen the impact of burnout on individuals, and I’ve taken it to heart. It can be tough to notice until the “big bang” happens, as individuals don’t want to come across as “weak” or “letting you down.” But that’s simply not the case, and I personally found it incredibly challenging to move beyond feeling totally responsible, like I had let them down.

Getting balance for my team I find easier than for myself, implementing strict breaks for lunch or finish times on Fridays. While these are only small steps, I hope they have an impact, and it’s something I struggle to implement in my own schedule.

Balance is key, and kids offer a great change of pace. Having your son or daughter interrupt you to unlock their iPad or open a packet of crisps is a great distraction from the challenges of corporate life.