Abraham Lincoln famously stated, "If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would spend six sharpening the axe."
The second thought was from a podcast with Tim Ferriss interviewing Derek Sivers where Derek is timing himself riding a bike as fast as he can multiple times in a row and then decides one time to take the same path leisurely and is shocked to find out the slow, easy method was only 5 minutes longer than the crazy paced ride where he did not even enjoy the scenery or the ride.
In my 40 years of working I have seen many people who zoomed past me in title and salary who I thought were not capable leaders. Several years later, they are out of the job they had coveted so much, some are now "retired" (permanently unemployed) or working in humbling jobs to eke out a living.
Slow, steady, methodical with a plan beats the grind, burnout, and stress most every time and in the rare case it doesn't, the person who takes life at their own pace will enjoy the ride much more than the person racing for a goal that keeps moving further away.
While this sounds great in theory, I'm finding myself caught in a cycle that feels difficult to break. I've been exploring the possibility of starting my own business as a potential path forward, though I'm honestly questioning whether that would actually solve the underlying issue or just create different—potentially worse—forms of burnout.
I've already made some positive changes: I've stopped consuming news and eliminated doom scrolling from my routine. I'm constantly researching and trying new approaches to build a better life for my family. But despite these efforts, I still feel stuck in this pattern.
Has anyone else navigated this transition successfully? I'm particularly curious about whether entrepreneurship truly offers the freedom and fulfillment it promises, or if it just trades one set of stressors for another.
It’s a great question, Jimmy. I can give you my take on it:
Starting my own business has been the single most important thing I’ve done for my freedom and mental health. That does not mean it hasn’t come with it’s challenges. It has.
You can burn yourself right back out if you don’t build in purposeful constraints. Family time, walk time, down time, sleep, etc. It’s just like any other potentially addictive thing. Moderation matters.
Key point...creating deadlines and specific times for things can help reduce 'filling up' the time aka Parkinsons Law. I have failed this over the past 4 years. Trying to get out of this rut now!
My two cents is to consider that this not a binary decision and I like the fact you are questioning whether entrepreneurship is the holy grail you are seeking (wanted to throw in a Monty Python reference for humor).
If you like your job and it is not too stressful, with good time management and technology, you are able to do both (which is what I have done).
If you don't like your job and have no time or energy at the end of the day, that could be a sign that you might not be in the right profession and sooner or later, the rug can be pulled out from underneath your feet.
Starting something small, on the side, and seeing if the market will pay money for what you want to build a business around is the first step in the process and that can be done while you keep your current job so there isn't unnecessary stress placed on the new business to replace all of the income you had from your job.
Jimmy, I know it’s so tempting to stop consuming news. I’ve read about so many other smart people like you who have made the same decision.
But I’d like to share a contrarian view, with respect for people who disagree.
The news media are in a terrible mess now, and social media are no proper substitute for following the news. All media channels are biased, including social media and the legacy news channels. But some are FAR more biased than others.
If we have any hope of saving our democracy and our planet from all the threats they face today, we need to carve out time to keep ourselves well informed about what’s happening in the world.
That takes time, effort, and critical thinking skills. If we each shrink from these responsibilities, there’s no hope for protecting democracy. We surrender our future to demagogues and power grabbers who take advantage of our distraction and our indifference.
I am finding myself in a similar situation for years. I know I am doing something wrong, and as soon as I find a bit of time to come back up for air from the 9-to-5 life, I fill it with tasks towards my “freedom” journey. This lasts just a little bit, and then life kicks me in the behind and I get sucked back into the operational and day to day issues.
If I were to have a magic wand with one wish, I would not wish for money, or enough time to figure things out, at this point in my life I would wish for clarity and a step-by-step framework I can follow in the next 3,6 or 9 months, to achieve the life Justin is referring to. Everything is a by-product of the last bit of clarity I am missing.
I understand it will not be overnight, I understand it will take effort, and I am already putting in 16-hour days. It took me years to get to this realization, and now I feel like I am almost there - almost where I need to be to break free properly.
Clarity, intention, and consistency is how I will succeed.
I wish you the same.
And if you want to have a chat to keep each other going, more than glad to do so.
I agree -- it's almost as if the majority of society is stuck in a modern-day turtle vs. rabbit race. Except the rabbit’s chugging espresso and doomscrolling while the turtle’s just trying to breathe and make it to bedtime with a little energy left for the people who matter.
I had a boss who once shared a quote with me that has FOREVER been seared into my brain: "Work will take the best and leave your family with the rest.” He then challenged me to NEVER let that be true. I printed that out, pasted it on my wall above my desk, and speak it aloud every... single... day...
I've never heard that quote Justin M, but that is powerful. As soon as our last day comes at the office, we'll be replaced quickly and life will move on. Our families only have us. Great post.
Great perspective, I really think there is a lot to be said about the negative effects of social media and other dopamine stealing apps.
I've been battling burnout for a few years now, it can be quite challenging at times.
What I've learned so far that has helped:
- Released myself from high expectations built into me as a child.
- Acknowledged that success in life is unique to each person.
- Completing a values based activity around what success means to you will help remove yourself from what you think are societal expectations.
- It's ok to rest and recharge, that's how you maintain your productivity in the long run.
- Remember to appreciate what you have.
- Maintain regular engagement in evidence based mental health practices.
In essence, my opinion is we have to strip ourselves bare through guided counselling to identify our core values. That way we can live a life that is unique, and fulfilling for ourselves.
This allows us to take permission to remove ourselves from unhelpful expectations of our current environment that are not aligned with our own core values.
Timely post...Just talking to my wife this AM about this topic...do I get a job again, or re-build a business that provides the life I desire. Tempting to 'settle' for getting a job and put in my time for a couple of years then completely check out of working. I know the reality is that I will always want to be in the game. I just need to do a better job of defining what that game is for me.
It’s so true. Ours is a hustle porn culture and it’s a rat race. I got off the burnout boat 2 years ago when I went out on my own and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
I go to the gym every morning at 9 o’clock without fail and I’ve lost 50 pounds .
I spend time with my kids in the morning before school and in the afternoon I get them from the bus.
I was sitting in a park yesterday with my sweet wife and 2 golden doodles, breathing fresh air after walking and said “do you ever feel like you should be doing something even though doing nothing is amazing”.. lol.. I am wired to be super busy and finding it takes effort to enjoy simple things… to not feel guilty but just enjoy the peace inside my head!
One of the best things I did was stop listening to something during my walk each morning. I am now more aware of nature, people and just lost in my thoughts and the silence! Total game changer!
I just got back from a walk down to a small lake near our house to watch the sun come up. I found that when I do this and focus on things I'm grateful for, my life shifts. There are no winners in the quest to be the busiest. Appreciate the reminder, Justin.
Sometimes saying yes is still the right move. :) I became a paid member of this cool paid substack thanks to this sentence by Justin, which reflects my current state of mind on pretty much everything else:
"Want to become the biggest rebel in today's world? Ignore most things. Say no. Turn off your phone. Protect your time, energy, and mental health like the valuable things they are."
Funny how we spend sooooo much time acquiring and caring about acquiring more. And now I can't shed the s**t that doesn't serve me fast enough. Places, people, possessions. It sure took me a long time to get here but I'm glad I arrived. Hello to all here! Thanks, Justin, for bringing us together.
Is this simply a reminder of our ability to embrace the holistic "be, do have" approach to the broader landscape of lifestyle first, work second? - Of which the masses are typically stuck in the old template of identifying with what we "do" first, regardless of who we truly are? This burning out feels like the culprit here - not exactly a revolutionary statement I'm making but don't we all need reminders? I know I do.....
This is a great post and something I have spend alot of time reflecting on since I sold my business in October 2024....
When I catch-up with friends, old collegues and contacts everyone looks so worn out, so stressed and like they are just holding on rather than living....I then feel massive guilt when they ask how I am and I share my current journey since my Exit which I assume must be what true freedom feels like...doing what you want when you want.....
Every morning I go for a walk by the water and I don't look at my phone.
I enjoy the sense of spaciousness from gazing at the ocean as I walk and I get some of my best ideas then.
I also get a good 6000 odd steps which sets me up for my minimum 10,000 steps daily goal.
To me this is wealth. And I'm grateful.
Hell yeah, Ash. That's a great thing, my friend. I also get my steps in early, albeit on a treadmill mostly.
@Justin Welsh if you are near the ocean or near nature I recommend walking in nature.
There's something truly magical about it.
I've found Nature to be very nurturing.
Me too!
That is BEAUTIFUL, Ash! And it's also something I try to do regularly -- albeit not every day -- since I live only 10 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.
Thanks for the kind words @Justin Mosley .... great that you live close to the Atlantic Ocean!
I've found it easier to do since I quit my day job and started my own business. It wasn't really feasible when I was traditionally employed.
Two thoughts I had after reading this:
Abraham Lincoln famously stated, "If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would spend six sharpening the axe."
The second thought was from a podcast with Tim Ferriss interviewing Derek Sivers where Derek is timing himself riding a bike as fast as he can multiple times in a row and then decides one time to take the same path leisurely and is shocked to find out the slow, easy method was only 5 minutes longer than the crazy paced ride where he did not even enjoy the scenery or the ride.
In my 40 years of working I have seen many people who zoomed past me in title and salary who I thought were not capable leaders. Several years later, they are out of the job they had coveted so much, some are now "retired" (permanently unemployed) or working in humbling jobs to eke out a living.
Slow, steady, methodical with a plan beats the grind, burnout, and stress most every time and in the rare case it doesn't, the person who takes life at their own pace will enjoy the ride much more than the person racing for a goal that keeps moving further away.
I love that Derek Sivers one. He’s my favorite author.
While this sounds great in theory, I'm finding myself caught in a cycle that feels difficult to break. I've been exploring the possibility of starting my own business as a potential path forward, though I'm honestly questioning whether that would actually solve the underlying issue or just create different—potentially worse—forms of burnout.
I've already made some positive changes: I've stopped consuming news and eliminated doom scrolling from my routine. I'm constantly researching and trying new approaches to build a better life for my family. But despite these efforts, I still feel stuck in this pattern.
Has anyone else navigated this transition successfully? I'm particularly curious about whether entrepreneurship truly offers the freedom and fulfillment it promises, or if it just trades one set of stressors for another.
It’s a great question, Jimmy. I can give you my take on it:
Starting my own business has been the single most important thing I’ve done for my freedom and mental health. That does not mean it hasn’t come with it’s challenges. It has.
You can burn yourself right back out if you don’t build in purposeful constraints. Family time, walk time, down time, sleep, etc. It’s just like any other potentially addictive thing. Moderation matters.
Key point...creating deadlines and specific times for things can help reduce 'filling up' the time aka Parkinsons Law. I have failed this over the past 4 years. Trying to get out of this rut now!
My two cents is to consider that this not a binary decision and I like the fact you are questioning whether entrepreneurship is the holy grail you are seeking (wanted to throw in a Monty Python reference for humor).
If you like your job and it is not too stressful, with good time management and technology, you are able to do both (which is what I have done).
If you don't like your job and have no time or energy at the end of the day, that could be a sign that you might not be in the right profession and sooner or later, the rug can be pulled out from underneath your feet.
Starting something small, on the side, and seeing if the market will pay money for what you want to build a business around is the first step in the process and that can be done while you keep your current job so there isn't unnecessary stress placed on the new business to replace all of the income you had from your job.
I like this. Reminds me of the “small bets” thing. Just start small. It will build confidence and momentum, and the risk is low if it flops.
Jimmy, I know it’s so tempting to stop consuming news. I’ve read about so many other smart people like you who have made the same decision.
But I’d like to share a contrarian view, with respect for people who disagree.
The news media are in a terrible mess now, and social media are no proper substitute for following the news. All media channels are biased, including social media and the legacy news channels. But some are FAR more biased than others.
If we have any hope of saving our democracy and our planet from all the threats they face today, we need to carve out time to keep ourselves well informed about what’s happening in the world.
That takes time, effort, and critical thinking skills. If we each shrink from these responsibilities, there’s no hope for protecting democracy. We surrender our future to demagogues and power grabbers who take advantage of our distraction and our indifference.
“Busy” as a badge of honor serves no one.
Literally nobody. Tough habit to break though.
Jimmy,
I am finding myself in a similar situation for years. I know I am doing something wrong, and as soon as I find a bit of time to come back up for air from the 9-to-5 life, I fill it with tasks towards my “freedom” journey. This lasts just a little bit, and then life kicks me in the behind and I get sucked back into the operational and day to day issues.
If I were to have a magic wand with one wish, I would not wish for money, or enough time to figure things out, at this point in my life I would wish for clarity and a step-by-step framework I can follow in the next 3,6 or 9 months, to achieve the life Justin is referring to. Everything is a by-product of the last bit of clarity I am missing.
I understand it will not be overnight, I understand it will take effort, and I am already putting in 16-hour days. It took me years to get to this realization, and now I feel like I am almost there - almost where I need to be to break free properly.
Clarity, intention, and consistency is how I will succeed.
I wish you the same.
And if you want to have a chat to keep each other going, more than glad to do so.
I know exactly what you mean.
I'm in a similar situation.
I just can't seem to make meaningful progress, and either the 9-5 or life derails me often.
I'm finding it very difficult to consistently devote time and energy to my escape path.
I find that pairing up with people to push each other, helps. Just like a workout buddy 🙂
Another good post, Justin!
I agree -- it's almost as if the majority of society is stuck in a modern-day turtle vs. rabbit race. Except the rabbit’s chugging espresso and doomscrolling while the turtle’s just trying to breathe and make it to bedtime with a little energy left for the people who matter.
I had a boss who once shared a quote with me that has FOREVER been seared into my brain: "Work will take the best and leave your family with the rest.” He then challenged me to NEVER let that be true. I printed that out, pasted it on my wall above my desk, and speak it aloud every... single... day...
I've never heard that quote Justin M, but that is powerful. As soon as our last day comes at the office, we'll be replaced quickly and life will move on. Our families only have us. Great post.
Great perspective, I really think there is a lot to be said about the negative effects of social media and other dopamine stealing apps.
I've been battling burnout for a few years now, it can be quite challenging at times.
What I've learned so far that has helped:
- Released myself from high expectations built into me as a child.
- Acknowledged that success in life is unique to each person.
- Completing a values based activity around what success means to you will help remove yourself from what you think are societal expectations.
- It's ok to rest and recharge, that's how you maintain your productivity in the long run.
- Remember to appreciate what you have.
- Maintain regular engagement in evidence based mental health practices.
In essence, my opinion is we have to strip ourselves bare through guided counselling to identify our core values. That way we can live a life that is unique, and fulfilling for ourselves.
This allows us to take permission to remove ourselves from unhelpful expectations of our current environment that are not aligned with our own core values.
"Acknowledged that success in life is unique to each person." - Well said
Timely post...Just talking to my wife this AM about this topic...do I get a job again, or re-build a business that provides the life I desire. Tempting to 'settle' for getting a job and put in my time for a couple of years then completely check out of working. I know the reality is that I will always want to be in the game. I just need to do a better job of defining what that game is for me.
People say time is our most valuable asset. But I truly believe attention is. Great read 🤝
It’s so true. Ours is a hustle porn culture and it’s a rat race. I got off the burnout boat 2 years ago when I went out on my own and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
I go to the gym every morning at 9 o’clock without fail and I’ve lost 50 pounds .
I spend time with my kids in the morning before school and in the afternoon I get them from the bus.
This is the way.
My business & my life on my own terms.
Everyone should be so lucky.
I was sitting in a park yesterday with my sweet wife and 2 golden doodles, breathing fresh air after walking and said “do you ever feel like you should be doing something even though doing nothing is amazing”.. lol.. I am wired to be super busy and finding it takes effort to enjoy simple things… to not feel guilty but just enjoy the peace inside my head!
Curt...you have stated my challenge exactly. How did you get to the point of slowing down...?
One of the best things I did was stop listening to something during my walk each morning. I am now more aware of nature, people and just lost in my thoughts and the silence! Total game changer!
I just got back from a walk down to a small lake near our house to watch the sun come up. I found that when I do this and focus on things I'm grateful for, my life shifts. There are no winners in the quest to be the busiest. Appreciate the reminder, Justin.
Sometimes saying yes is still the right move. :) I became a paid member of this cool paid substack thanks to this sentence by Justin, which reflects my current state of mind on pretty much everything else:
"Want to become the biggest rebel in today's world? Ignore most things. Say no. Turn off your phone. Protect your time, energy, and mental health like the valuable things they are."
Funny how we spend sooooo much time acquiring and caring about acquiring more. And now I can't shed the s**t that doesn't serve me fast enough. Places, people, possessions. It sure took me a long time to get here but I'm glad I arrived. Hello to all here! Thanks, Justin, for bringing us together.
Is this simply a reminder of our ability to embrace the holistic "be, do have" approach to the broader landscape of lifestyle first, work second? - Of which the masses are typically stuck in the old template of identifying with what we "do" first, regardless of who we truly are? This burning out feels like the culprit here - not exactly a revolutionary statement I'm making but don't we all need reminders? I know I do.....
This is a great post and something I have spend alot of time reflecting on since I sold my business in October 2024....
When I catch-up with friends, old collegues and contacts everyone looks so worn out, so stressed and like they are just holding on rather than living....I then feel massive guilt when they ask how I am and I share my current journey since my Exit which I assume must be what true freedom feels like...doing what you want when you want.....