A Father’s Conundrum: Balancing Ambition and Fatherhood

I work from home, putting in 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week. My wife is completing her internship, so during the times she's away, I take care of our six-year-old daughter. She’s an amazing kid—creative, independent, and full of life. She spends her time reading, drawing, and entertaining herself. But when she looks up from her activities and asks, "Daddy, will you play with me?" I find myself torn.

Every time I tell her, “I’m busy,” or “Maybe later,” I see the disappointment in her eyes. It’s like a dagger to my heart. I know that one day and way too soon, those “Daddy, will you play with me?” moments will stop coming. She’ll grow up, and these precious opportunities will slip away forever.

It’s a conundrum that I wrestle with daily. I want to be there for her, to soak in every giggle, every impromptu game, every little moment. At the same time, I know that the work I’m doing is important.

I started Effectv because I believe in creating a better future—not just for my family but for countless others. If I can help even a small number of people discover their true potential or make the hiring process less stressful, it will all feel worth it.

Despite the challenges, I am acutely aware of how fortunate I am to work from home. Without this, I wouldn’t even have these brief moments. Still, it’s difficult. Technology was supposed to give us more freedom, and more time to enjoy life, yet here we are—busier, disconnected, more stressed, and struggling to find mental peace.

As much as I love technology and the opportunities it has created, I often find myself wondering about the world we’re creating for future generations. I wish I had solutions, but right now, I’m left with more questions than answers.

I’m deeply committed to making a difference. That’s why I started Effectv – it’s my way of making an impact. If I can help people discover their true expression by aligning their careers with their passions and interests, I’ll feel satisfied. 

• For job seekers, I’m working on products to help them find career paths and authentically represent themselves at work that truly aligns with their passions.

• For companies, I’ll soon launch EffectvRecruiter to improve the interviewing process. 

I’m pouring my energy into improving this critical aspect of our economy. Yet, ironically, I find myself torn between my daughter’s calls to play and my calling to make a difference for others - it’s a journey I’m still navigating.

I’d love to hear from others: How do you find balance? How do you ensure that you don’t miss the moments that matter most while building your career?

For me, the struggle is ongoing, but I hope that the answer will come—perhaps in the quiet moments when I put everything aside and say, “Yes, let’s play.”