I was in a networking session yesterday, and the icebreaker question was, "If you had a walk through a door right now, what would be on the other side of that door?" And my own answer surprised me. At first, I was thinking more environmental (BALI sure looks great.) or I was thinking about the world around me (can we stop with all the wars )...but what I just spat out was, "I think I would walk into my own life right now." And that's not to say it's because it doesn't have struggle or hardship or I want to do more, but if I think about what really matters in life, as you say, I have a great family. I have great kids. I love my husband. We travel. I do something that helps people. My work is challenging and it motivates me to get up every day to help more. I am healthy. And I thought outloud, "Well, isn't this what we're all after anyway?" I'm not sure what this random gut check thought is going to mean for my existential crisis on a daily basis, but we'll see, great post Justin, per usual.
Thank you, Patrice. What a remarkable thing you get to say about your own life. That's how you know you've built your life first and your business to support that life. What a testimonial to your own self.
I've lost my taste for the "how to" genre if I ever had it to begin with - I think in stories which explains why I'm enjoying this platform of discussion you've opened here Justin - an authentic expression of what you're doing and inviting others to author their own version only they can write. Ultimately, flipping the script of "living to work" to its opposite of working to support the life you choose - well lived...
This past week has been rough for my wife and I. She’s been dealing with a few mental and internal health challenges that affect us both, and to be honest it sucks. Reading your section of staying healthy, really hits home in these moments. Nothing else matters if our mental health isn’t in the right place. Soaking every moment right now, and allowing time to heal. Business and growth will continue in its time.
This hits home. It’s amazing how often we overcomplicate life when the real ingredients for fulfillment are so simple and timeless. Doing meaningful work, staying healthy, loving well, helping others, and seeing the world -- what more do we really need? Thanks for the reminder, Justin. I’m "all in" on this kind of life.
110% this: And the essentials list is mercifully short. I. think that is why your content and writing really resonates with me. I don't come from a business background at all - I'm a speech therapist. 9 years ago I could not attend my daughter's Halloween parade at school but my husband could. He works in sales and had so much more flexibility in his schedule. That made me realize I never wanted to miss anything again. I started my business - ABA Speech- 8 years ago and have been able to be really present for my family. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this balance- it helps me feel more confident in this choice I made all those years ago!
Justin, this piece resonated deeply—thank you for putting into words what so many of us feel. The noise is relentless, and it’s liberating to remember how short our essential list actually is.
I'm part of a coaching group, and one thing we did recently was answer the question, "What is something you do every day that you could learn to love 5% more?"
I noticed that I tend to dread trying to brush my two children's teeth at night, not because I don't love them, but because it takes a lot of energy to try and convince two small children that brushing your teeth is valuable and useful habit to do each day.
I decided to make that my focus a couple weeks ago, and just that small mindset tweak has allowed me to enjoy this daily essential a bit more.
Yesterday I saw a post talking about how it's good to "fight" with your partner over who gets to brush the kids' teeth. I tried doing that and it made them laugh and more engaged in the process.
Thanks for the reminder on focusing on the essentials, Justin.
This resonates with me a LOT! I also have 2 little kids and can TOTALLY relate to your example. By the time we are ready to brush their teeth, I'm ready to crash on the couch, haha! Thank you for sharing this!
Good essay. Though I think the recent post in this same thread about the beautiful night-lit cabin-y place was a touch of the flex you’re railing about.
This hit home. It’s a powerful reminder to strip life back to what actually feeds the soul and stop auditioning for a stage we never asked to be on. Thank you for saying it out loud.
I was in a networking session yesterday, and the icebreaker question was, "If you had a walk through a door right now, what would be on the other side of that door?" And my own answer surprised me. At first, I was thinking more environmental (BALI sure looks great.) or I was thinking about the world around me (can we stop with all the wars )...but what I just spat out was, "I think I would walk into my own life right now." And that's not to say it's because it doesn't have struggle or hardship or I want to do more, but if I think about what really matters in life, as you say, I have a great family. I have great kids. I love my husband. We travel. I do something that helps people. My work is challenging and it motivates me to get up every day to help more. I am healthy. And I thought outloud, "Well, isn't this what we're all after anyway?" I'm not sure what this random gut check thought is going to mean for my existential crisis on a daily basis, but we'll see, great post Justin, per usual.
Thank you, Patrice. What a remarkable thing you get to say about your own life. That's how you know you've built your life first and your business to support that life. What a testimonial to your own self.
The “good life” sounds great. Getting there feels impossible for most.
Or maybe I’m just having a bad week.
Nearly all good things are hard. But certainly not impossible. Bad weeks suck. Maybe next week will be yours, though.
I've lost my taste for the "how to" genre if I ever had it to begin with - I think in stories which explains why I'm enjoying this platform of discussion you've opened here Justin - an authentic expression of what you're doing and inviting others to author their own version only they can write. Ultimately, flipping the script of "living to work" to its opposite of working to support the life you choose - well lived...
Thanks, Jon. Glad to hear it’s resonating. Always open to feedback if it feels like I’m off base too!
This past week has been rough for my wife and I. She’s been dealing with a few mental and internal health challenges that affect us both, and to be honest it sucks. Reading your section of staying healthy, really hits home in these moments. Nothing else matters if our mental health isn’t in the right place. Soaking every moment right now, and allowing time to heal. Business and growth will continue in its time.
This hits home. It’s amazing how often we overcomplicate life when the real ingredients for fulfillment are so simple and timeless. Doing meaningful work, staying healthy, loving well, helping others, and seeing the world -- what more do we really need? Thanks for the reminder, Justin. I’m "all in" on this kind of life.
110% this: And the essentials list is mercifully short. I. think that is why your content and writing really resonates with me. I don't come from a business background at all - I'm a speech therapist. 9 years ago I could not attend my daughter's Halloween parade at school but my husband could. He works in sales and had so much more flexibility in his schedule. That made me realize I never wanted to miss anything again. I started my business - ABA Speech- 8 years ago and have been able to be really present for my family. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this balance- it helps me feel more confident in this choice I made all those years ago!
Justin, this piece resonated deeply—thank you for putting into words what so many of us feel. The noise is relentless, and it’s liberating to remember how short our essential list actually is.
I'm part of a coaching group, and one thing we did recently was answer the question, "What is something you do every day that you could learn to love 5% more?"
I noticed that I tend to dread trying to brush my two children's teeth at night, not because I don't love them, but because it takes a lot of energy to try and convince two small children that brushing your teeth is valuable and useful habit to do each day.
I decided to make that my focus a couple weeks ago, and just that small mindset tweak has allowed me to enjoy this daily essential a bit more.
Yesterday I saw a post talking about how it's good to "fight" with your partner over who gets to brush the kids' teeth. I tried doing that and it made them laugh and more engaged in the process.
Thanks for the reminder on focusing on the essentials, Justin.
This resonates with me a LOT! I also have 2 little kids and can TOTALLY relate to your example. By the time we are ready to brush their teeth, I'm ready to crash on the couch, haha! Thank you for sharing this!
It's so hard. Switching your mindset is the only solution I've found to overcome the end of day gravity.
TOTALLY!!!!
Good essay. Though I think the recent post in this same thread about the beautiful night-lit cabin-y place was a touch of the flex you’re railing about.
This is too good - and the reason why Justin's message resonates with me - To whom it may concern, read this one all the way to the end - wait for it.... Awesome! https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7339257226160734208/
This hit home. It’s a powerful reminder to strip life back to what actually feeds the soul and stop auditioning for a stage we never asked to be on. Thank you for saying it out loud.