Ever heard of a false dichotomy?

I read about it about 10 years ago, and it’s one of those ideas that’s quietly lived in the back of my mind ever since. My brain has a funny way of hanging on to random bits of information — maybe yours does too.

Anyway, a false dichotomy is a logical fallacy — it’s when someone presents two options as if they’re the only possibilities, when in reality, there’s a whole spectrum in between.

You’ll recognize these classic examples:

• “You’re either with us or against us.”

• “If you’re not a vegan, you hate animals.”

• “I’d rather be healthy than rich.”

They all pretend you have to choose between two extremes when real life doesn’t work that way.

And here’s another one for the list — one that really hits home for many entrepreneurs:

“Work-life balance.”

What are we even saying here?

Are you not alive while you’re at work? Does your life stop the moment your workday starts? Or does your work end when you leave the office?

If you’re a business owner, you already know — it’s not that simple. Some of my best ideas came to me while walking in nature, spending time with my family and friends, or even watching a good movie. Inspiration doesn’t clock in and out.

That’s because work is a part of life — especially when you’re building something you care about. It’s not about keeping them in perfect balance; it’s about integration. The lines blur, and that’s perfectly fine. In fact, that’s often where the magic happens.

So don’t let anyone convince you that you’re doing life wrong because your “work-life balance” looks different. You’re allowed to love what you do and live fully while doing it.

Work doesn’t take away life — it enriches it, when it’s aligned with your purpose.

-Finn