The Pajama Principle: Getting Real About Balance

I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having it all together. It’s about showing up anyway, even if your hair isn’t brushed and your pajama bottoms are still on.

The truth is, balance is a bit of a myth. Some days, you wake up ready to conquer your to-do list. Other days, you start working, realize it’s 2 p.m., you’re still in pajamas bottoms with unbrushed teeth. In fact, Helena and I were both working away, looking quite unkept, when we realized we had a conference call. So… we showed up not looking like our best selves. But you know what…

That’s okay.

There’s this pressure to make everything look effortless -  to appear calm, creative, and completely composed no matter what’s happening behind the scenes. But real life, and real leadership, don’t work that way. The best things I’ve ever been part of have come together through a mix of chaos, heart, and persistence.

And you know what, KR Squared’s team thrives on that kind of authenticity. We don’t wait for perfect conditions to make something great. We roll up our sleeves (or keep the pajama sleeves on) and get it done. Because creativity doesn’t happen on a clean schedule. Inspiration doesn’t care if your desk is spotless. What matters is showing up for the work, for the team, and for the people who count on you.

Balance isn’t about equal parts work and rest or some magical routine where everything fits neatly. It’s about flexibility. It’s about knowing when to push, when to pause, and when to laugh at yourself and move on.

So here’s to the unpolished moments, the messy desks, and the cold coffee. They’re proof that you’re in it, fully. They’re signs of effort and real life happening alongside the work you love.

Perfection looks nice on paper, but persistence is what actually gets things done. And if that means the occasional pajama day, well, that might just be part of the secret.