This is probably more relevant for Americans - I think that a majority of Europeans have a slightly different attitude to life. As a Swede and having lived and worked in both Sweden and the UK, I have a feeling that over here we generally value a life-work balance mire than Americans. You've got one life, there's no replay!
Being from Europe, but lived both in the US and in the mediterranean I can tell we definitely have better work/life balance. The best indicator is a full cafes on a random Tuesday @ 1pm because everyone is taking 2hr break during work hours. You cant see that in the States. Or anywhere else for that matter.
I love this post, Justin. The subject line caught my attention but the lesson was the opposite of what I expected. I've taken every Friday off now for 2 years and have kept things pretty simple, too. But I often doubt myself. Could/should I be trying to capitalize more on what I do? This post helps me sit back a little and have the confidence to continue to leave some money on the table for the true love of what I do and the precious time for family and hobbies. Thank you!
If I doubt myself or what I'm doing right now, I always ask myself if it feels good what I do right now. If it feels good, continue. If not, you can always change something :)
No offense, but I really (honestly) wonder if this is how life in US is.
I mean, in Europe we really have people that are also as obsessed about money. But I’d say that 90% of Europe is more about living life than hoarding money.
I live in Germany, where I feel like US culture comes over very intensely. And, from what I’ve seen, people in Germany are MUCH more obsessed about money than all other Europeans. But it’s definitely not as crazy as US. I hear it from Americans all the time. As if they all belong to some kind of money cult.
It’s great that you have the awareness to reverse the process and show people that the goal of having money is actually living a life.
For me, this is might be your best piece of writing yet. Masterful. I've nodded along to a lot of your words but this is the first time I literally felt them in the chest.
This write up is very impacting. It’s a wake up call for many. I absolutely love the analogy of ‘ everyone’s leaving the wrong thing on the table’. The philosophy about money regenerating but not life moments really hit home.
Love this. I am reading Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing in Business with a bookclub group of professional women. This kind of message runs throughout the book and it is sad how countercultural it is! We were all struck by the businessperson who decided how much they needed to make and when they hit that number, they stopped working for the rest of the year! whoa. life goals.
Great post. I'm at the place where I'm choosing how much money I want to make and how I want to spend my time. Being able to design my life the way I want is priceless. I don't mind leaving money on the table.
I think this really resonates coming from Justin Welsh because he is an American that could clearly keep building massive wealth. Justin was born in this society, but instead of getting trapped in the trappings of materialism, he is choosing a different path, and bringing us along for the ride.
So it’s cool that Europeans may not deal with this as much since their society has less consumerism overall, but for me, as another young man, born in America, to see someone like Justin who could easily use his intelligence to exponentially increase his wealth, but is instead choosing to spread wisdom and have “enough” this is straight up groundbreaking.
Thank you Justin for getting to the top and helping us see fact from fiction 💯
I LOVED this post! Burnout took me out for 2+ years. Out of my whole life, not just my career in tech. And if there's one thing I learned and hold on to with my whole heart, it's that money will always be here tomorrow, but my health and my family are the only things that matter. And yes, money has been exactly what I've left on the table, even though in my industry, it seems like one 'should' be in an endless grind of discovery calls, launching programmes, hosting webinars etc etc. I learned how to build a business in nearly every job I've had. What I didn't learn and burnout made me pay attention to is I hadn't yet learned to build a sustainable life and work.
This is probably more relevant for Americans - I think that a majority of Europeans have a slightly different attitude to life. As a Swede and having lived and worked in both Sweden and the UK, I have a feeling that over here we generally value a life-work balance mire than Americans. You've got one life, there's no replay!
Potentially true.
Being from Europe, but lived both in the US and in the mediterranean I can tell we definitely have better work/life balance. The best indicator is a full cafes on a random Tuesday @ 1pm because everyone is taking 2hr break during work hours. You cant see that in the States. Or anywhere else for that matter.
I thought exactly the same
I love this post, Justin. The subject line caught my attention but the lesson was the opposite of what I expected. I've taken every Friday off now for 2 years and have kept things pretty simple, too. But I often doubt myself. Could/should I be trying to capitalize more on what I do? This post helps me sit back a little and have the confidence to continue to leave some money on the table for the true love of what I do and the precious time for family and hobbies. Thank you!
I think you're making the right decision, Tom :)
If I doubt myself or what I'm doing right now, I always ask myself if it feels good what I do right now. If it feels good, continue. If not, you can always change something :)
POW!
Excellent piece.
Thank you!
Welcome!
No offense, but I really (honestly) wonder if this is how life in US is.
I mean, in Europe we really have people that are also as obsessed about money. But I’d say that 90% of Europe is more about living life than hoarding money.
I live in Germany, where I feel like US culture comes over very intensely. And, from what I’ve seen, people in Germany are MUCH more obsessed about money than all other Europeans. But it’s definitely not as crazy as US. I hear it from Americans all the time. As if they all belong to some kind of money cult.
It’s great that you have the awareness to reverse the process and show people that the goal of having money is actually living a life.
Yeah, it’s likely an American thing but I’m American so I can only write about it from my perspective. It’s a massive problem here, for sure. (IMO)
It's very interesting and insightful to learn about your culture and your perspective on things that happen in your country. Thank you for sharing! :)
As a mom and small business owner, this really resonated. Ooof leaving money
I'm so glad it did, Jenn.
Such a great piece. There's always a tradeoff. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Amanda!
For me, this is might be your best piece of writing yet. Masterful. I've nodded along to a lot of your words but this is the first time I literally felt them in the chest.
Thank you, Radan!
This write up is very impacting. It’s a wake up call for many. I absolutely love the analogy of ‘ everyone’s leaving the wrong thing on the table’. The philosophy about money regenerating but not life moments really hit home.
I'm so glad it resonated, Navjot.
The wreckage left behind by unbridled ambition is astounding. And so sad. My ex couldn't even take the time to go to my father's funeral.
Oh wow. That's not good. Sorry to hear that, Pat.
Long time ago. Live and learn!
Love this. I am reading Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing in Business with a bookclub group of professional women. This kind of message runs throughout the book and it is sad how countercultural it is! We were all struck by the businessperson who decided how much they needed to make and when they hit that number, they stopped working for the rest of the year! whoa. life goals.
As someone who lost everything, I was homeless, and I can affirm that a job and stuff don't matter. Sanity, good health, and family are everything.
Great post. I'm at the place where I'm choosing how much money I want to make and how I want to spend my time. Being able to design my life the way I want is priceless. I don't mind leaving money on the table.
I think this really resonates coming from Justin Welsh because he is an American that could clearly keep building massive wealth. Justin was born in this society, but instead of getting trapped in the trappings of materialism, he is choosing a different path, and bringing us along for the ride.
So it’s cool that Europeans may not deal with this as much since their society has less consumerism overall, but for me, as another young man, born in America, to see someone like Justin who could easily use his intelligence to exponentially increase his wealth, but is instead choosing to spread wisdom and have “enough” this is straight up groundbreaking.
Thank you Justin for getting to the top and helping us see fact from fiction 💯
Justin, great advice as usual. Time is our only non-renewable resource.
Keep brining the goodstuff.
What a great article Justin. It applies to a broad audience not just solopreneurs
I LOVED this post! Burnout took me out for 2+ years. Out of my whole life, not just my career in tech. And if there's one thing I learned and hold on to with my whole heart, it's that money will always be here tomorrow, but my health and my family are the only things that matter. And yes, money has been exactly what I've left on the table, even though in my industry, it seems like one 'should' be in an endless grind of discovery calls, launching programmes, hosting webinars etc etc. I learned how to build a business in nearly every job I've had. What I didn't learn and burnout made me pay attention to is I hadn't yet learned to build a sustainable life and work.