I probably shouldn't tell prospective clients this, but... I'm always looking for ways to spend less of my time working. Why?
It's not because I don't enjoy my work. It's actually a core creative outlet for me. It's not because I don't like my clients. They're some of my favorite people to talk to and strategize with. It's because I know my values...and two of my most important ones are FAMILY and FREEDOM. I also know that the more closely my life reflects my values, the closer to my "Dream Life" I'm gonna be.
I'm always working towards intentionally increasing my focus on my values. In 2024, I wrote about making room for five family trips and a trip to Patagonia with my dad. I also made room for biking and camping trips, solo and with friends. We also spend time with me and my wife's parents, siblings, and our nephews at least once a month.
I couldn't do all of that if I was working all the time. And let me be clear. The stuff I listed above is very cool, and I'm incredibly grateful and lucky I can do it. But even if all I could do was hang out in the suburbs of north Texas with my wife, kid, and extended family and our friends...
...without being tied down to a 9-5 with a boss... I would be living my dream. The travel and "stuff" is amazing, but it's not necessary for me to live in alignment with my values.
So Let Me Ask You a Question
What are your core values? Freedom? Abundance? Growth? Peace? Family? Connection? Spirituality? Health? Love? Nature? Courage? Generosity? Creativity? Etc. Now... Does your work life support your values? Or does it undermine them?
Is it intentionally connected to your values? Or is it disconnected? This is why I'm such an advocate of entrepreneurship and practice ownership. It allows you to be the captain of your own ship, instead of a passenger on someone else's. But entrepreneurs are also more susceptible to being workaholics and letting work take over our lives.
Here's the thing. When I said at the top that I'm looking for ways to work less, that doesn't mean I do low-quality work. I'm all-in on the products, businesses, and clients that I work on. But it does mean as a solopreneur that I artificially cap my capacity from a time standpoint. I have to find ways to work smarter, not harder.
As a practice owner, it might mean buying back your time with systems, automation, and team.
What to Do?
Set aside time to reflect. Consider spending some time journaling on the following questions: What are the core values that drive my life and work?
How am I living and working with integrity right now? How can I set a higher standard in the future?
Living your "Dream Life" ultimately isn't about your stuff, your achievements, or your bank account. It's about being the most "YOU" that you can possibly be. My experience has taught me that there's no better use of time than figuring out what that means to you, and how to make it a reality.
