How to Master Work-Life Balance: Strategies for Actuaries

The actuarial journey demands discipline and focus—and often comes with a lot of pressure.

During this process, it’s normal and helpful to ask yourself a few questions: At what point does hard work become too much? How can you avoid burning out? And what can you do to build sustainable habits for the long term?

To answer those questions, we asked coaches Terence Chow, ASA, CFA, Shi Yi Wong, FSA, and Tong Khon Teh, FSA, CFA for their insights. They offered both personal reflections (we didn’t know that Coach Tong loves M&M’s!) and some practical advice to support your journey.

1. Spot Signs of Overwork

Occasional late nights and looming deadlines are par for the course. But what happens when work begins to dominate your life?

• For Coach Tong, the impact is more emotional and social: “I notice work has taken over when I struggle to be present in personal conversations. And when rest starts to feel ‘unproductive,’ I know something’s off.”
• Coach Terence puts it plainly: “When working through weekends becomes the baseline rather than the exception, that’s a sign. So is obsessively thinking about work problems during personal time, or losing touch with the aspects of your profession that once energized you.”
• Coach Shi Yi adds that even when she’s physically present with her family, her mind can be elsewhere: “If I’m constantly thinking about a specific exam question or project outside of work hours, that’s a red flag. Another warning sign is when I start to lose interest in the things I used to enjoy—like hobbies or just relaxing without guilt.”

If you’re starting to feel distant from the people and things that matter most, it’s okay to pause. Your well-being is a priority.

2. Take a Step Back

Recognizing the red flags is only the first step. The next is giving yourself permission to pause—and reset.

• For Coach Shi Yi, it’s about noticing when life’s important moments start slipping by: “If I wasn’t fully present for a conversation or I forgot an important event, that’s a wake-up call. When I feel like I’m failing in multiple roles—not just as an employee but as a friend, mother, daughter—that’s when I know I need to pause.”
• Coach Terence notes the drop in output and overall well-being: “If you’re working longer hours but producing lower-quality work, making more errors, or noticing a decline in sleep and physical health, it’s time to recharge.”
• Coach Tong shares a more introspective signal: “I’ve learned to pay attention when I become unusually irritable or when my creativity disappears. Ignoring these signs only makes things worse. I’m learning that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.”

Stepping back isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an act of care. When you give yourself space to breathe, you make room for clarity.

3. Seek Balance

One of the greatest challenges early in an actuarial career is juggling exams with a demanding full-time job. How can you pursue your goals without burning out?

• Coach Terence emphasizes preparation and connection: “Start early with a realistic study schedule that builds in buffer time. Communicate clearly with your manager, and find ways to connect exam material to your daily work. Don’t forget to sleep and eat well. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
• Coach Tong keeps it grounded: “I’ve stopped trying to live up to a perfect schedule that doesn’t work for my life. Celebrating small wins—even just with a coffee or M&Ms—keeps me going. It’s the little victories that build momentum.”
• Coach Shi Yi’s approach centers on discipline and presence: “I plan my study schedule in advance and stick to it. That lets me truly relax outside those hours without guilt. I’ve learned that balance is more about discipline than time—being present where you are, when you are.”

Balance means honoring your limits while still moving forward. You can grow without losing yourself along the way!

4. Build Good Habits

Why does all this matter so much early in your career? The habits you build now become the foundation for everything that comes next.

• Coach Terence frames it in terms of resilience and leadership: “Sustainable habits help you bounce back from life’s curveballs. They support long-term skill development and emotional intelligence—both crucial for leadership roles.”
• Coach Shi Yi echoes this long-view perspective: “Healthy work habits help you maintain consistency and avoid burnout later. You learn to work smarter, not just harder. And most importantly, you get to enjoy the journey instead of burning out before you reach your potential.”
• Coach Tong brings it home (or scores a hole in one) with a great metaphor: “It’s like learning golf—better to get the fundamentals right early than fix bad habits later. And just like compound interest in FM, those small habits add up to big results over time.”

Remember that actuarial success isn’t about sprinting through a few intense years. It’s about building a career you can sustain and enjoy. That means learning to recognize when work is too much, giving yourself permission to rest, and creating habits that support long-term growth—not just professional, but personal too. All that learning will serve you well in the years ahead!