Make work to fit into the life you want
This was supposed to be a short Thanksgiving post but it's late and so now it's a quick life update and something to ponder 😁
James Clear’s newsletter last week said it best: “The most effective way to make money likely requires a lifestyle you don't want to live. Instead, you want the most effective path that fits your desired lifestyle. How do you want to spend your days? Start there, then optimize."
When I was a young, eager, childless twenty-something, I had all the time and energy in the world to build a business. I have zero regrets about spending those years working toward a goal, sacrificing sleep, peace, and vacations to attain that dream.
Now, as a mid-forties lady with a tween, post-pandemic and post-exit, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want my life to be. I understand that it’s a privilege to be able to do this, but I’m working backwards: thinking about what I want my life and lifestyle to be like and then retrofitting a job into that instead of trying to live my life around my job. Been there, done that.
My work and life frequently blend together because what I do to make money intertwines with what I truly enjoy: art, design, technology, and community1. In Designing Your Life, there’s an exercise2 in which you mind map the things that you enjoy in your life, finding ways that they connect. When I did it, I found that I still have the same interests I’ve had my whole career. I just needed to puzzle piece them all together again in a way that didn’t completely envelop my life.
And so…I’m testing my limits 😅 I just accepted a new job 🎉 I’m off to Miami next week to celebrate the launch of our next two collections, so I’ll be back in a bit. Follow my adventures on the ‘gram.
While I’m away, I’ll leave you with this to ponder: If you could design your ideal work/life situation, what would that look like? If you can’t do a big overhaul, what could you restructure, delegate, add, subtract, or tweak to start you on the path toward that ideal?
I think music is the only thing that I love just as much but make zero money from.
I highly recommend everyone do this exercise!