Some people subscribe to the idea that work-life balance is critical for achieving success. Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant has a different take. He once called work-life balance "mostly a myth" and stressed something else as the key to success. We can boil Grant's advice down to three words:

Work. More. Hours.  

Let's put that in the right context. In a previous video posted on the Mic Facebook page, Grant tells viewers, "It's not to say you have to be a workaholic in order to be successful, although the evidence is strong that one of the ways that people become successful is they just work more hours. Or they work with more intense focus than their peers."

Grant adds, "But I don't think that means you can't have a life. The idea that work-life balance means 'I show up at 10:00 a.m. and I'm done by 3:00 p.m.' is ridiculous. The successful people I know don't tend to have very balanced days. They will have a whole day where all they do is work. But then the next day, all they do is spend time with their families."

Work with More Intense Focus

Grant has a good point, and I have seen a big difference in my own productivity when I work with intense focus, but definitely short of crossing the line into workaholism.

That's not healthy and leads to burnout. So, what's the key? How do you get that same intense focus to maximize your day and get a ton of stuff done? The best way to do it is to achieve a state of flow.

Flow is a state of mind where time flies by and productivity increases. It's like hitting that sweet spot where everything just clicks.

This mental state was developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, where we benefit from peak experience and performance, enjoying what we're doing and performing at our best. It's being "in the zone" where we are entirely focused, free from distractions, and able to learn, grow, and improve.

Here's how you can tap into it:

Clear Goals: Start by setting clear, achievable goals for what you want to accomplish. When you know what you're aiming for, it's easier to stay focused and engaged.

Challenge Yourself: Find tasks that are just challenging enough to keep you engaged but not so difficult that they overwhelm you. Flow happens when you're stretched just the right amount.

Eliminate Distractions: Minimize interruptions and distractions as much as possible. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and create a quiet workspace where you can concentrate.

Focus on the Task at Hand: Dive deep into what you're doing. Forget about everything else for a while and immerse yourself completely in the task.

Stay Present: Don't worry about the past or the future. Focus on the present moment and give your full attention to what you're doing right now.

Take Breaks: Even though you're in the zone, remember to take short breaks to rest and recharge. This can help prevent burnout and keep your energy levels up.

Once you find your flow, you'll be amazed at how much more productive and fulfilled you feel.

And to Grant's point, the next day, you'll feel like you can take the afternoon off to take the kids to the park or enjoy a bike ride on the beach.

This is what having a healthy, productive life looks like. You work your butt off first, then take time to reward yourself later.

It's what Grant meant when he said, "They will have a whole day where all they do is work. But then the next day, all they do is spend time with their families."

Inc