Greedy for the right things
jasonleow • 3 Oct 2023 •
If you want to be
a great parent
and a great spouse
and a great friend
and greatly skilled
and wealthy
and wise
and physically healthy
and mentally healthy
and spiritually healthy
and full of happiness
and full of loveYou’re going to have to work harder than anyone you know.
– @jdnoc
Is it greedy that I want it all on that list?
Because I want it all.
And having to work way harder is so true.
I don’t have hobbies. I hardly do anything for recreation or leisure now. No TV, no movies, no travel. My way to relax is to be out with my wife and kid.
I squeeze out pockets of work time every single day, even on Sundays, when people don’t need me. But try to be present to family for the rest.
I’m juggling multiple projects – consulting, indie projects, all to eventually get me to the wealthy and skilled bit.
I exercise daily, meditate in the morning, write daily, try to apply some mindfulness, to maintain some level of health + spirituality.
Sometimes it feels like I’m doing too much. Way too much. Those who enjoy focus will say those are distractions, and I’m spreading myself too thin. Yet, you can’t ever dream of achieving even half that list if you don’t.
But it’s not really the quantity but the quality part that is the real challenge. Sometimes I’m tired and not always present. I might be with my family but mind drifted elsewhere to work. If I woke up early to work, I might be sleepy and not able to be fully engaged. I recognise I ain’t perfect. Still figuring out the best ways to do all that and do it well!
Also, side note: Notice that none on the list include any revenue or MRR figures? Wanting $1M revenue has no deeper meaning unless it links to these bigger goals… well, at least for me.
I am greedy and desire to be rich. But in the right things.
Comments
@therealbrandonwilson YES. The rewards are the only thing pushing me forwards now
@jasonleow you wrote: “I don’t have hobbies. I hardly do anything for recreation or leisure now. No TV, no movies, no travel. My way to relax is to be out with my wife and kid.”
When I first read the first sentences, I thought, oh, this is not ok… Then you mentioned No TV, no movies, no travel. Which I actually respect (I enjoy those but sometimes I think I fall prey to them and waste my time). You are actually doing a whole lot, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it. I would however, recommend some sort of escape, an activity you enjoy doing, and which with little effort, makes you enjoy however much time to put into it.
For me, that is currently gaming. I do it regularly, sometimes twice a week, but ONLY with friends, and ONLY for a maximum of 2 hours at a time. I allow myself to do it because I love to just hang out with my friends (we can’t do it IRL because we are spread out around the world).
I discussed this topic with my therapist because I found I was somewhat blaming myself for not pursuing a creative or more productive endeavor with that time, but she said that kind of “downtime” is necessary.
Try and find out what that would be for you. Maybe it can also lead to novel ideas or projects to work on!
@drodol Thanks for your concern. I do get some relax time - with my family! I also wake up early in the morning for some me time and deep work. Occasionally I head out on my own for some journaling. There’s not much entertainment but frankly I don’t feel like I’m missing out much. 😉 I would have never imagined being able to do this when I was single, so I guess it’s a life stage thing?
Oh you’re a gamer - awesome! What game do you play?
If you don’t feel like you’re missing out much, then you probably aren’t! :)
I play COD with my friends, that’s all. We are not good in a any way, we just enjoy each other’s company.
It can be a daily grind, but the rewards are worth it.