Unlike most Americans, Marsai Martin began working at a steady job at just 9 years old. The actress, now 21, rose to fame as a co-star on ABC’s hit series Black-ish, where she worked from childhood into adulthood. While the role brought her success and recognition, Martin says starting her career so young gave her a distorted sense of what achievement truly meant. For years, she equated success with constant work, sleepless nights, and a relentless schedule, only recently realizing the importance of including her own happiness and well-being in that definition.
Martin admits that during her teenage years, she worked hard to mirror the behavior of busy adults around her. She meticulously filled her planner with acting rehearsals, industry updates, journaling, and even everyday routines like brushing her teeth and taking vitamins, just to feel like her schedule was full. But instead of feeling accomplished, she often felt overwhelmed and unfulfilled, questioning whether this pace was sustainable or even desirable.
Her realization mirrors the experiences of many high achievers across industries who discover that over-packing a schedule eventually leads to burnout rather than fulfillment. Icons from Bill Gates to Beyoncé have acknowledged similar struggles, emphasizing the importance of balance.
Over time, Martin redefined success for herself. She began focusing on happiness, learning new skills, and prioritizing her financial and mental health. This shift reflects what many experts suggest: career ambitions should never come at the expense of well-being. Robin Arzón, vice president of fitness programming at Peloton, has said that true hustle requires confidence in defining one’s own ladder of success, which should include self-care. She likens energy to currency, highlighting the importance of managing it wisely.
Other experts stress the importance of using downtime intentionally. Happiness researcher Cassie Holmes encourages people to treat weekends as mini-vacations, carving out time for activities that recharge the mind and body, from creative hobbies to outdoor relaxation. Meanwhile, entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss advises cultivating interests outside of work to maintain identity and self-worth. Even dedicating a small amount of time each week to a new pursuit, he argues, can provide a valuable sense of progress and purpose.
For Martin, the journey from overworked child star to a young woman redefining success underscores a vital lesson: achievement is not just about productivity or accolades, but also about balance, growth, and genuine happiness.
READ MORE: