The Accidental CEO #3

Let’s get controversial for a moment - trade-offs are part of success, and anyone who tells you otherwise is sugarcoating it. I’ve been thinking about this for a while and the truth is, you can’t have it all, not all at once anyway. Success, especially in your career, means making tough choices, and sometimes it requires you to prioritise your professional goals over other aspects of your life.

I’m all for the concept of “work-life balance,” but we need to be real - if you want to build a career, you have to work hard. You have to make choices, and yes, there will be trade-offs along the way. The key is figuring out which ones are worth it.

Insight 1: You can’t do everything, and that’s okay

Here’s the reality - you can’t be everywhere, do everything, or say yes to it all. Early in my career, I tried to do just that. I wanted to excel at work while also maintaining a perfect personal life, but I quickly realised that trying to do it all wasn’t sustainable. Success requires knowing when to say no and when to prioritise what’s important.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of scheduling regular breaks. Every 8 weeks, I make sure to step away from work, whether it’s a long weekend or a proper holiday. These planned breaks give me time to recharge and reset. It doesn’t have to be extravagant - it’s about stepping away and allowing yourself space to think clearly and avoid mental fatigue. When I return, I’m more focused, more energised, and more effective in the work I do.

You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. What matters is knowing your limits and planning breaks to stay sharp, refreshed, and ready to tackle the next challenge.

Insight 2: Working hard and working smart

Let’s not kid ourselves, if you want a career, you have to work hard and work smart. Working hard means putting in the time and effort when it’s needed, but working smart is about being strategic. It’s about knowing where to focus your energy, how to prioritise tasks, and when to delegate.

I’ve learned that just grinding away isn’t enough. You have to be intentional about where you’re putting your efforts. Are you spending time on the things that actually matter, or are you just staying busy? Working smart means recognising that efficiency is just as important as effort. Here are a few tips that have helped me stay focused on what really matters:

• Make lists, and reprioritise daily: Every morning, I make a list of what I need to get done that day. But here’s the key: I reprioritise throughout the day. What seemed urgent at 9, might not be the most important thing by noon. Be flexible and stay open to adjusting your priorities as things shift. It’s about working on what will move the needle, not just ticking off every task.

• Delegate where you can: Early in my career, I tried to do everything myself, thinking that was a sign of hard work. But working smart means knowing when to delegate. Identify tasks that someone else can do just as well - or better (!) and let them handle it. Delegation frees you up to focus on what only you can do.

• Hack your admin tasks: Yes, even CEOs do admin. There’s no escaping it. But instead of letting admin tasks eat up your day, find ways to streamline them. Use tools, apps, or even shortcuts to make things easier. I batch my admin tasks (e.g. diary management, approvals, reports) into small windows of time, instead of letting them interrupt my entire day.

• Review your time: At the end of the week, look back and ask yourself, “Where did I waste time?” You might be surprised at how much energy goes into tasks that don’t contribute much. Use this insight to adjust for the following week. Constantly refining how you use your time is a key part of working smart.

Efficiency isn’t about cramming more into your day; it’s about making sure the things that fill your day are actually moving you toward your goals. When you work smart, you’re not just productive, you’re productive in the ways that count.

Insight 3: Trade-offs are part of the game, so choose wisely!

Success in any field comes with trade-offs, but that doesn’t mean you should give up everything. You need to be deliberate about what you’re willing to compromise on and what’s non-negotiable for you.

The trick is making smart choices. Sometimes, you’ll have to let go of one thing to gain another. But the important part is that those choices are intentional, not just the default result of trying to do it all. Make sure the trade-offs you’re making are aligned with your long-term goals, not just temporary wins.

Final thoughts

Trade-offs, hard work, and smart work might not be glamorous, but they’re a reality if you want to carve out a successful career. There’s no magic formula that will let you achieve everything without making some tough decisions. Yes, work-life balance is important, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can have it all without putting in the effort. At the end of the day, it’s about making smart, intentional choices about where you’re willing to invest your time and energy, and recognising that trade-offs are simply part of the journey.

I’d love to know your thoughts especially if you have a better approach!?

– The Accidental CEO

Previous posts:

The Accidental CEO #1

The Accidental CEO #2