How to Balance Work and Identity

Around the world—but particularly in America—our identities are often inextricably interwoven with our occupations, and that’s arguably even truer for business owners. In fact, many people generally consider it a great point of pride, making it the first detail they share when meeting someone for the first time, not only professionally at a conference but also casually at a social event.

But as the truism goes, too much of a good thing can become bad. According to an April 2025 survey by the online publication Founder Reports, 87.7 percent of entrepreneurs admitted to having at least one mental health issue, with over half dealing with anxiety and over a third experiencing burnout. Discover why you should strive for better balance, both for yourself and for your team, and how to go about it.

Sowing the seeds of workaholism

A work-based identity can become ingrained in us long before we get our first job, starting with adults asking kids what they “want to be” when they grow up. (A better question would be who they want to be.) This soon morphs into questioning teens about what they “want to do” after graduating high school and pressing twentysomethings about their postcollege plans.

It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that so much emphasis is placed on occupation in our culture. One reason this can be problematic is how it may lead your sense of self to get lost along the way. There’s a psychological term related to this called enmeshment. It primarily refers to one’s inability to distinguish their identity from someone else’s—think married individuals who seem to operate as one person—but such blurring can also happen with job titles, especially for those in high-risk, high-reward careers that require long hours and constant availability.

These individuals allow the quest for corporate greatness to engulf their lives, often at the expense of personal relationships and their own health. The situation can be made worse if they feel like they have no control over the matter, leaving them stuck in an endless work loop they may not even want to be on and pushing them into an existential crisis.

Does all this sound familiar? Don’t worry—it is possible to take a different path.

Rediscovering yourself

You’ve undoubtedly experienced the thrill of getting a new job or promotion (while proudly displaying either on new business cards!), and the feeling is exponentially greater when starting a business. Such a journey is meant to be financially rewarding, of course, but it also teaches valuable skills like ingenuity, problem-solving, steadfastness, and resilience. For many entrepreneurs, their entities become an extension of themselves and their values with the potential to form a legacy of sorts, lasting long past their own lives and spanning generations.

When it gets to be too much, however, it can harm both your well-being and your business by causing physical and mental exhaustion, worse decision-making and increased mistakes, and strained relationships with your team and your loved ones. Here are some ways to help keep the demands at bay so you can be the best leader possible.

Admit there’s a problem
If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, fight back against the tendency to “suck it up.” Instead, address them as soon as possible before they turn into a full-blown crisis.

Remember your why
It’s remarkably easy to lose sight of your motivation in the shuffle of building a business, and returning to it can help keep you grounded when things get chaotic.

Set boundaries on your time
It can be quite challenging for entrepreneurs to say no—not in the sense of making decisions but in valuing their own time. Be sure to block out hours when you’re unavailable, such as late at night or on weekends. Then stick to these boundaries even if it means ditching your phone.

Let it go
Your business is your baby and, at this point, your life, making it difficult to trust others with it. However, delegating certain responsibilities will allow you to not only show trust in the team you’ve built and prioritize your family but also . . .

Do something for yourself
Indulge in an activity that brings you joy, such as golfing or a spa treatment. (As a bonus, doing so can remind you of your interests—and therefore your identity—outside of work.) And aim to get away every now and then, whether it’s simply leaving the office at lunch, taking a day for a mental reboot, or planning a dedicated vacation.

Revisit and adjust your balancing act as needed
Nothing is static in business. When your company grows, for instance, it will need more of your time. But if you anticipate this, you can ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm you or your loved ones.

The trickle-down effect

The benefits don’t end with you, though. Your team members can experience identity crises and burnout as well. In fact, source after source indicates that employees are increasingly vocal about this issue, valuing work-life balance even more than climbing the corporate ladder—with a 2023 Randstad survey concluding that a whopping 94 percent of workers consider such equilibrium to be important.

So it’s worth your while to make your company a place they want to deeply identify with. A good start is being a role model for it, as discussed earlier. But also work with your managers to find reasonable ways to actively encourage a healthy balance, including offering flexible hours, remote work options, and a generous time-off policy. (Amazingly, research has found that remote workers tend to get work done more efficiently and, without a commute, may put in more hours at their jobs.) In addition, encourage the mindset that your employees—and, by extension, their loved ones—are part of your corporate family, especially if you own a small business, where get-togethers and the like are easier to foster.

The title of “business owner” is a double-edged sword: both a badge of honor and an entity that can easily engulf your identity. The good news is that with self-awareness, perspective, and planning, you can control how embedded it becomes, positively impacting not just you and your company but also your team and loved ones.

TAKE ACTION:
Pause to reflect on your identity, determining what other titles you value as much as—or even more than—“business owner” or “entrepreneur.”