Ambitious people tend to pursue demanding careers. As they advance, many professionals cannot help but wonder about the state of their personal lives. What do they owe, and want to give, to their families, their friends, their communities? And what accommodations can be made for personal interests, from physical fitness to non-profit volunteering, and more?

The answers, of course, will vary from person to person, and at different stages in any individual’s life. But it’s important to remember that, despite the considerable pressures of leadership and advanced career responsibilities, you almost always have choices.

The real issue is not the availability of choices, but their consequences – many of the possibilities afforded us may mean compromises in our careers, our families, and within the multiplicity of our responsibilities or ambitions. Finding balance requires careful thought.

Given the variety of personal hopes and commitments, there is no one set formula for finding balance. There are, however, a number of ways even the busiest professional can blaze a path toward a work/life balance commensurate with their needs and goals. Consider the following:

Define “enough”

When a person’s definition of success remains open ended, that openness can lead to pursuits without end. Money, accomplishment, status – ultimately, what is enough for you? You're the only person who can set the thresholds that will allow you to feel comfortable that you’ve done enough.

Reframe success

Complement the quantitative approach above with a qualitative one. Over time, your definition of success can change. The markers that once signaled achievement may lose meaning, or new goals may arise that challenge old ones. Don’t defer quality of life issues until retirement; ask yourself what “living well” means for you here and now.

Pursue complementarity

If you have spouse or partner, your career is not pursued in isolation, but in parallel with their careers and/or interests. By thinking in terms of the whole, as each career existing within the context of the other, you might be able to balance your mutual interests collectively. For example, if one partner travels frequently, it may be wise for the other to seek a more anchored career. Or if one is in a high-risk/high-stakes industry, it can be balanced with a more stable job with more predictable schedules and income.

Build out your support team

You (and your partner) may be able to “outsource” the tasks that would otherwise put stressful pressures on your time. Look for opportunities to hire others to help with childcare, lawn care, cooking, meal delivery, and more. Important note: Take care of your support team. Remember it may be cheaper – and more rewarding to all parties concerned – to offer attractive wages and benefits that to incur the switching costs of cycling through a revolving door of new hires.

Think strategically about location

It’s not just about having a desirable place to live. Think carefully about how location impacts your commute, your family obligations (school pick-ups and drop-offs), and access to resources that can make your life easier.

Find flexibility

Look for opportunities that give you the flexibility you need to make the obligations you have. Can you work from home, at least part of the week? Is there wiggle-room in work hours and scheduling? Can you trade travel for time off?

Schedule collaboratively

Make it a practice to meet once a week with your partner to discuss the week ahead. You can remove a lot of stress by preplanning who does what during the week to come, making it easier for both of you to manage shared responsibilities with less conflict.

Finding balance may be hard, but the truth is, no career has to be confining. The real obstacle isn’t the lack of choices, but the challenge of honestly confronting sacrifices, compromises, and the conflicting needs of people who are important to you. Your choices almost invariably involve others.

Talk to them. You might anticipate resistance, but remember, the things left unspoken do not vanish, but can remain present in our thoughts for years. It’s better to seize the initiative to speak that to allow silence to foment resentment. Apply the leadership you bring to business to your personal life, and chances are, you and the people you love can arrive at choices that everyone will welcome.

At various times in life it is not unusual to experience transitions that can cause stress and uncertainty. At these times, it might be helpful to engage a therapist. You can ask your primary care physician for recommendations. If you live near a university, you can reach out to their counseling center for recommendations of therapists in the area as well. Additionally, below are resources to help you.