In the high-stakes world of portfolio management, achieving a balance between professional success and personal fulfillment can often seem an elusive task. Yet, Brian Shevland, a renowned portfolio manager with over two decades of experience, has managed to strike this delicate balance. As a husband and father of three, Brian C Shevland’s approach to harmonizing his demanding career with his family life offers valuable insights for high-achieving professionals striving for work-life balance.
A Day in the Life of Brian Shevland
Brian Shevland’s career is marked by his dedication to improving risk-adjusted returns for investors through a blend of proprietary quantitative processes and a fundamental global macro approach. His expertise spans working with Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), Family Offices, Pensions, and Endowments, making him a versatile and highly sought-after professional in the financial industry. However, beyond his professional success, Brian C Shevland’s personal life is equally rich and fulfilling.
A typical day for Brian Shevland begins extremely early, around 4:30 – 5:00 AM, preparing for the workday ahead while analyzing market movements and portfolio positioning. By spending these early hours on analysis, Brian is better able to balance morning family routines with his professional responsibilities. He ensures that he is present for his children’s morning rituals, such as having breakfast together and their family morning work-out, all before diving back into his workday. Every morning’s time is sacrosanct, setting a positive tone for both his work and family life.
Strategies for Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Brian C Shevland’s approach to maintaining work-life balance is grounded in several key strategies that other high-achieving professionals can emulate:
- Prioritize and Plan: Shevland is a firm believer in meticulous planning. He schedules his day to accommodate both professional tasks and family time. By blocking out specific times for work and personal activities, he ensures that neither area is neglected.
- Set Boundaries: Clear boundaries between work and home life are crucial. Shevland practices this by designating certain hours for work and strictly adhering to them. After these hours, he attempts to disconnect from professional duties to focus on his family. This isn’t easy, and isn’t always successful, but the intention leads to improvements over time.
- Quality Time Over Quantity: Recognizing that it’s not always possible to spend long hours with family, Shevland emphasizes the importance of making the time spent together meaningful. Engaging in activities that foster strong connections, such as family dinners, game nights, surfing or skiing trips, fishing or other outdoor adventures, ensures that the time spent together is enriching.
- Delegate and Trust: In both his professional and personal life, Shevland understands the value of delegation. Trusting his team to handle responsibilities at work allows him to focus on family when he’s at home. Similarly, sharing household responsibilities with his spouse ensures a balanced partnership.
- Stay Active Together: Physical activities are a significant part of Shevland’s family life. Whether it’s surfing, skiing, tennis, or golf, engaging in sports together not only promotes health but also strengthens family bonds. This shared interest in outdoor activities provides a healthy outlet for stress and a fun way to spend time together.
The Role of Philanthropy and Community Engagement
Beyond his professional and family life, Brian C Shevland’s commitment to philanthropy, particularly through the First Tee golf charity in Humacao, Puerto Rico, adds another dimension to his balanced life. His involvement in this charity reflects his passion for growing the game of golf and his desire to give back to the community. Engaging in philanthropic activities provides a sense of fulfillment and teaches his children the importance of helping others.
Tips for High-Achieving Professionals
For other high-achieving professionals looking to balance family and finance, here are additional tips inspired by Brian Shevland’s approach:
- Integrate Your Family into Your Career: Whenever possible, involve your family in your work life. This could be as simple as explaining your job to your children or even taking them to your office. This integration helps demystify your work and allows your family to feel more connected to your professional life.
- Regularly Assess and Adjust: Work-life balance is not static. Regularly assess your balance and make adjustments as needed. What works at one stage in life may need to be adapted as circumstances change.
- Mindfulness and Presence: Practice mindfulness to stay present in each moment. Whether you’re at work or home, being fully present whenever possible helps you make the most of your time and fosters stronger relationships.
- Seek Professional Help When Needed: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help, whether it’s a career coach for your professional life or a family therapist for personal matters. Expert guidance can provide new perspectives and solutions.
Brian Shevland’s ability to balance a demanding career with a fulfilling family life is a testament to the power of prioritization, planning, and purposeful living. Brian C Shevland emphasizes that by adopting some of his strategies, high-achieving professionals can find their own paths to a harmonious work-life balance. The key lies in recognizing that success is not just about professional achievements but also about nurturing the relationships that matter most.
