How to find the right work-life balance?
Posted: Thursday, June 12th, 2025
Finding a good work-life balance is a challenge faced by most self-employed tradespeople today. Chris Frediani has a conversation with Stu Roberts, the founder of Trowel Talk, to explore how one can successfully manage their work and personal lives. "It's a massive problem," he states. "It can show up as burnout, depression, marriage/ relationship issues, and more. I've experienced all these as a result of saying 'yes' to the business and customers and not saying 'yes' to the people that matter." "There's too much to do and too little time. Plasterers often struggle to say 'no' and switch off from work. There's the fear of work running low, especially in the winter. We start off a bit obsessed and driven as new self-employed spreads, this needs to wear off; otherwise, 10 years down the line, you're still stuck in that hamster wheel," Stu explains. He notes that the primary reason plasterers are forced to work extra hours is that they aren't charging enough. "I work on high-profit jobs two to three days a week, and that gives me my time back." Chris adds that it's essential to make time for family. "Your kids would rather have you at the tea table as opposed to a new pair of Nike cleats or an iPhone." In closing, Chris reveals what his good friend Tommy once said to him, "Don't be a slave to the trowel." Listen to the full episode here
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