Multimillionaire musician and tech entrepreneur Will.i.am has joined the work-life balance debate, challenging conventional wisdom regarding the discussion. He argued that those seeking entrepreneurial success should prioritise their dreams over traditional boundaries. The Grammy-winning artist, who founded the AI company FYI, asserts that achieving ambitious goals requires a relentless dedication that transcends the typical 9-to-5 workday.
In a recent interview with Fortune, Will.i.am dismissed the concept of work-life balance as being inherently tied to supporting someone else’s vision.
“If you’re trying to build something that doesn’t exist, it’s about dream-reality balance,” the singer told the publication.
“Work-life balance means that you’re working for somebody else’s dream. You just have a job supporting somebody else’s dream, and you want to balance your work and your life. But if it’s dream-reality balance, then it’s not work. It’s a dream that you’re trying to put into reality, and you’re ignoring your current reality,” he added.
Will.i.am says he works after 5pm on his creative work
Will.i.am revealed that his own work schedule extends far beyond standard hours, encompassing both his tech venture and his creative pursuits.
He works from 9am to 5pm on his AI company, and then transitions to his creative projects until 9 pm. This dedication, he argues, is essential for transforming a dream into a tangible reality.
“I’m not really paying attention to this reality,” he stated.
“I’m trying to bring that one [a new business venture or idea] here and focusing on how do I get people who believe in this dream to help me materialise it? So for that, you have to make some type of sacrifice to bring this thing that doesn’t exist here,” he added.
Elon Musk, Jack Ma and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian on work-life balance debate
In the past, prominent tech leaders like Elon Musk, Jack Ma, and Alexis Ohanian pushed for a departure from conventional notions of work-life balance, advocating for intense dedication and flexibility in pursuit of success.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is known for his relentless work ethic. He recounted tales of living within his factories and sleeping on the floor to meet critical production deadlines. Musk has also publicly criticised what he perceives as a declining work ethic in the US, contrasting it with the extended hours commonly observed in countries like China.
Similarly, Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba, defended China’s “996” work schedule – working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week. In 2019, Ma described this intense schedule as a “huge blessing,” framing it as a privilege for those passionate about their careers.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian asserted in August 2023 that the idea of maintaining an equal focus on both work and personal life is a “farce.” Ohanian advocates for a more fluid approach, suggesting that balance involves shifting priorities according to evolving needs.
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