Balancing Work and Life: Insights from Nikhyl and the Skip CPO group

In this podcast episode, Nikhyl is joined once again by Anneka Gupta, Annie Pearl, Briana Ings, and Shirley Lin. The group explores the topics of how to recognize and recover from burnout, as well as to achieve a healthy work-life balance. They discuss the personal nature of burnout and how it's not simply a matter of comparing the two columns of “work” and “life.” The group suggests that if you're feeling burnt out or unsure if you're on the right path, it's time to reflect on your work and make changes to achieve a more balanced state. Nikhyl advises aiming for the "yellow" as a North Star and taking corrective action to prioritize tasks and achieve a healthier state.

Overall, the episode provides practical advice for anyone experiencing burnout, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and taking action to achieve a healthier work-life balance. Nikhyl's advice to aim for a more balanced state and prioritize tasks is a helpful reminder that perfect balance may be unattainable, but making incremental changes can lead to significant improvements in mental and emotional well-being.

Thanks to this group of incredible women for joining and sharing their endless wisdom. We hope to have further discussions on other big career topics. Please share the podcast with your friends :)

Connect with The Skip

The Skip: Newsletter | Website | LinkedIn CPO Group

Nikhyl Singhal: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Anneka Gupta: LinkedIn | Twitter
Annie Pearl: LinkedIn | Instagram
Brianna Ings: LinkedIn | Instagram
Shirley Lin: LinkedIn

Full Show Notes:

• [0:00] Welcome to The Skip!
• [0:10] Introducing our guests Anneka, Annie, Briana, and Shirley!
• [0:30] Starting with Anneka Gupta, CPO of Rubik, Inc. - how does she handle “work/life balance?”
• [0:45] “I would phrase it not as ‘what do I have to fit into the box of my life’, but what do I want to fit into the box of my life?”
• [2:30] Brianna Ings - VP of Product at ClickUp - how does she handle work/life balance?
• [2:30] “I have a four month old daughter. And so the big thing for me is figuring out my new normal. So I really wanna prioritize spending time with my daughter, my husband, we used to have dinner together every night, and I wanna maintain that.”
• [4:00] How does Shirley Lin find joy in her life?
• [4:30] “my husband and I try to make sure we're connecting, but we confess, there are some nights where we kind of stand at the kitchen counter and we're eating a dinner of Salami, cheese and a glass of wine, and we're saying like, that's pretty good; good enough.“
• [5:30] Does being an experienced Project Manager help Annie Pearl, CPO of Calendly, decide how to effectively optimize her time?
• [9:00] As part of the new norm for Executives in the Zoom era, Briana vividly narrates her experience of multitasking; juggling between an important meeting, and keeping an eye on her baby daughter as she pumps breast milk.
• [11:30] Has anyone ever had to hold back professionally because of the need to balance time and commitments, even if it meant passing up a great opportunity at a top company?
• [15:45] In a graduation speech, Shonda Rhimes talked about the challenges of being a working parent. She said that whenever she appears to be succeeding in one area of her life, it often means she's struggling in another.
• [17:00] The additional pressures of being a working parents and the worry of the expectations of others
• [22:30] Many people are struggling with burnout and a sense of failure. To overcome this, it's essential to examine our relationship with work and make changes that will lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable path forward.
• [24:30] Nikhyl advises those feeling burnt out to aim for a more balanced state, using the "yellow" as a North Star. He emphasizes the importance of taking corrective action to prioritize tasks and achieve a healthier state, even if perfect balance is unattainable.
• [26:30] “There's always things that are going wrong, but can I find joy in growing and trying to get through the hardship?”
• [31:00] How do you make sure you prioritize yourself?
• [34:00] Briana struggled with saying "no" in her career, including a time when she was asked to travel for work despite not wanting to leave her daughter. She learned to prioritize her own desires and set boundaries by saying "no" when necessary, allowing her to feel more in control of her time.
• [36:00] Nikhyl shares his thoughts on the challenges of outsourcing and asks for personal tips from the group who are all working moms with busy schedules. Are there any "executive hacks"?
• [38:00] How does this group plan and schedule vacations?
• [46:00] Nikhyl advises leaders who are considering bigger, more demanding roles to check in and test their capacity before taking the plunge to avoid burnout.

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The Skip podcast is designed to help tech professionals take control of their careers and achieve their professional goals. Hosted by Nikhyl Singhal, a successful founder, head of product, and executive, the podcast offers guidance on navigating important career decisions, management challenges, and personal crossroads.

Nikhyl has helped hundreds of leaders in the tech industry maximize their happiness and professional life. He understands that career is one of the most critical parts of a person's identity and that many people struggle to navigate the complex landscape of job transitions, skills development, and long-term career planning.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear Nikhyl and other executives teach unique and timely career lessons.