Kendra Basner Discusses the Challenges of Having it All in The Balance Project Interview

Kendra Basner, an attorney in the Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP office of San Francisco, was interviewed by author Susie Schnall to contribute to the "Balance Project", a popular interview series about the tragically glorified "doing it all" craze. 

Basner begins the interview discussing how she has worked for the same law firm since before having children, and how she transitioned into a part time work schedule after having her first child. She brings up work challenges concerning court systems not taking into consideration of her personal schedule, and how this has forced her to make sacrifices and become more flexible as an attorney. 

Basner also discusses how she believes "doing it all" has different definitions for different people, and how there is not one single way to accomplish such a goal. She then mentions how she believes "having it all" for her does not focus on material possessions, but rather a focus on continually working towards fulfillment in different areas of her life.

Basner concludes the interview by discussing how it's challenging for her obtain "me time"; how improving balance means consistently adjusting what balance means to her; and she also expresses how she believes it is okay to ask for help in order to focus on how that help can benefit others, rather than oneself.

The "Balance Project" is a series of relevant and refreshingly candid interviews featuring inspiring and accomplished women talking about balance. The "Balance Project" also examines about how everyone's making sacrifices and therefore it should all make us feel confident about the sacrifices we make on a daily basis. This interview focuses on how Kendra Basner managers to "do it all" while maintaining balance in both her professional and personal life.  

Read the full interview, "The Balance Project, No. 73: Kendra Basner Mallen," on Susie Schnall's website.