I think people confuse grinding with not having a life. The ephemeral life balance is BS of course. But there is a place in which one can tend to family/friends and still be on the "market". 

It also doesn't have to be constant, I find that being effective and do it in pulses works well.

Simple things, like traveling less be focus when working seems to be a lot more productive than simply work for the sake of work hrs.

But as we all know, can't push things forward with grind.