Work-life balance can fuel innovation

The myth of the eccentric genius toiling away late into the night has a strong hold on the academic psyche. We’re lead to believe that work-life balance doesn’t exist and that, in many cases, our work is our life.

But, rather than seeing a rigid personal routine as a hindrance to creativity, you can also look at it as an essential foundation. By bringing discipline and structure to the non-work aspects of our lives, we can paradoxically unlock more freedom and innovation in our academic pursuits.

Be regular and orderly in your life so that you may be violent and original in your work.

Gustave Flaubert

I like the idea that structured schedules, habits, and organisational systems allow me to focus my energy on creative, innovative ideas and writing. creativity and originality can thrive within a framework of discipline and routine. Rather than viewing structure as limiting, the quote suggests that academics can use routine as a springboard for more innovative, impactful work.

Read: Rest is the start of creative work.

A well-rested, organised mind is primed to make those creative leaps and to think beyond the boundaries of conventional academic discourse.

The key is finding the right work-life balance – not allowing our personal lives to bleed too much into our professional time, but also not letting our work consume every waking hour. When we have a solid personal routine and habits in place, we free up mental bandwidth to tackle the really tough challenges in our research and writing.