Just Imagine If You Did

Whoa! I received a scathing message from someone about yesterday's post. I'll share the short (and clean) summary of this man's message. He hates his job, but has a TON of meaning in his life. Between his family, friends, traveling, and hobbies, his life is full of meaning and he doesn't need a "f@#%ing job" to give him meaning.

First, I know this person at a high level. Perhaps not well enough for him to launch a stream of obscenities at me, but oh well. Here's one thing I do know about this person. He does, in fact, have a ton of meaning in his life. I see it with my own two eyes. On the flip side, I didn't realize the gravity of how much he hates his job. We're talking dread every moment of every work day type hate.

Nonetheless, he lives a meaningful life outside of work and tries to compensate for the misery he feels about his work. It's an admirable pursue, and I give him props for that.

Here is my five-word response to his lashing about not needing a job that provides him meaning: "Just imagine if you did."

1/2 of his waking hours are spent with deep meaning, and the other 1/2 are spent in deep misery. Just imagine if he had a job that provided meaning. He'd be so unbelievably fulfilled! Today, though, his life is a pendulum of joy and misery. Friday afternoons through Sunday mornings (plus some nights) are amazing, while Sunday afternoon through mid-day Friday are largely a buzzsaw on his physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Just imagine if he had meaning in his work, too! He's probably be the happiest and most energetic person I know, Instead, he's content with 1/2 his waking hours being miserable because at least the other 1/2 is pretty awesome.

Just imagine! I used to imagine the same thing, then decided to put some action behind the imagination. Six and a half years later, I can testify that having both halves of our live provide deep meaning is the world's most amazing super power. I know many other people that would testify the same.

Just imagine!

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Not Scary Anymore

An old friend, one I haven't seen in nearly a decade, sent me a text out of the blue: "It's not scary anymore!" My initial reaction was to brush off the seemingly errant text as a mistake. It's not scary anymore? That's a bizarre text from someone I haven't seen in a decade. Then, another text arrived.

In short, this friend said they had been listening to the podcast and reading the blog for years. One of the biggest takeaways over that time has been this weird notion that we ought to find meaning in our work. It's an oddly countercultural topic, and as I've pointed out time and time again, it's a rare state to live in.

"It's not scary anymore!" Turns out, after treating work as a necessary evil for more than 20 years, this friend finally decided work needed to play a meaningful role in his life. After much soul searching and a process to humble himself financially/materialistically, he and his wife both decided to find meaning in their work.

This culminated in both of them finding new jobs within the past year. One spouse took a massive pay cut, and the other experienced a lateral financial move. Dinner table discussions used to involve dreams and aspirations of retiring early. Today, though, it looks different. They each share stories from their meaningful work days, dreaming of what the future might hold in these respective roles.

"It's not scary anymore!" The term Sunday Scaries was all too familiar to this couple. After a long and fun weekend, both of them would regularly get crushed on Sunday afternoons by the reality of what's coming tomorrow. Oh crap, here we go again. Let's brace ourselves for another week of stress, misery, and emptiness. Week in, week out.

I received another text from him last night. "I never realized Sunday nights could be this enjoyable." So good. The Sunday Scaries have been replaced with hope, optimism, and excitement for what's to come.

This made my day. This made my week. This made my month. Heck, this made my year! We don't have to perpetually suffer the Sunday Scaries until we can find an off-ramp to retirement. Life should matter today.....not just someday. A world exists for each of us where we go to bed excited for what's to come, and pop up out of bed to get the meaningful day started. That starts with our work. Other things definitely matter, and we must have meaning outside of work, but if we're going to spend 1/2 of our waking hours at work, it starts with the work. Please allow your work to matter. Please give yourself permission to pursue work that matters.

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At 4PM

Where will you be at 4PM today? Not physically, but mentally, emotionally. What will be going through your mind when the bell strikes four? Studies show that 4PM on Sunday afternoons is the most depressing hour of the week. Why? The weekend has largely come to a close, and now our attention has shifted to what's ahead.....and what's ahead is work tomorrow. And considering 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs, by 4PM on Sunday afternoons, most people enter what's referred to as the Sunday Scaries.

Have you ever had the Sunday Scaries? I know I have! Based on the data, there's a high likelihood that more than half the people reading this know exactly what I'm talking about!

What about you, today? Will you be feeling the Sunday Scaries later today? Some of you already know the answer is "yes." If that's you, I have good news and bad news.

First, the good news. A different reality exists! Each of us has the power to choose a path that doesn't involve the Sunday Scaries. In fact, there's a reality where Sunday nights become one of the best nights of the week! It can be a chance to reflect on the fun weekend that was, while simultaneously getting excited for the good work that's to come.

Now, the bad news. Living a Sunday Scaries-free life doesn't happen by accident. We can't luck ourselves into it. It won't just automatically click. Removing the Sunday Scaries requires each of us to be intentional, taking specific steps to change our course. It often requires us to abandon comfort in pursuit of something grossly uncomfortable. The fear of the unknown is almost always scarier than our own sucky reality. However, what if I told you that the unknown you're so scared of can actually be oh so awesome?

I'm so unbelievably excited for Monday. By 4PM today, I will be increasingly pumped for the work I'm about to do this week. I can't tell you I've always lived in this reality, and I can't tell you it was easy to move into this new reality, but I will tell you that it was worth it every single bit.

Set an alarm on your phone for 4PM today. When it goes off, ask yourself how you're feeling. Take that answer for whatever it's worth.

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Curating Your Life

Do you ever wake up and ask yourself, "How did I end up here?!?!" It's remarkable how life can move so quickly at times that we unintentionally end up in places we didn't intend to be. The previous sentence can be taken positively or negatively, but this phenomenon tends to impact us more on the negative side, as it's much easier to accidentally end up somewhere we don't want to be than somewhere we do want to be.

This concept applies to so many areas of our lives:

• What we spend money on.

• Who we have relationships with.

• The work we find ourselves in.

• What we do with our time.

Every once in a while, I have a "What am I doing?!?!" moment. I recognize that I somehow got off course and ended up somewhere I never intended to be. As soon as that happens, I try to be extraordinarily intentional about changing course back in a direction I desire to be.

Last week, in the middle of a client meeting, I thought to myself, "This couple has curated their life better than anyone I know!!!!" They don't make more money than the average family. They aren't living some exotic lifestyle. They don't have flashy jobs. They are normal people living normal lives, but with one catch: They are living the exact life they curated for themselves. Where they live, where they work, who they hang out with, how they spend their time, and how they structure their family life. It all seems so intentional.

The cool part about this family is that I've watched this slowly come together over the course of a decade. I've known the husband for ages, so having a front-row seat to his inspiring example of intentional living has been a treat.

No, they aren't wealthy. No, life hasn't gone perfectly. In fact, they would be the first to admit it's been a messy ride. However, through the noise, they've been able to maintain an intentionality toward their unique definition of ideal life.....and they've pursued it with discipline.

A big part of this is rejecting society's conventional wisdom for how we ought to live, and instead choosing to stay laser-focused on our values. Again, this applies to time, money, work, relationships, and more. Forget what everyone else is doing; just be you!

One key sign you're doing it well is if someone accuses you of being weird. Many of my family's decisions and actions get called out for going against the grain. I'm never offended by such comments, as they only affirm that we're living the life we're called to live. My kids are starting to see some of this, making random comments every now and then. I love that, and I want them to know the importance of curating a meaningful life with intention and discipline.

What about you? What actions have you taken to curate your most meaningful and ideal life? Conversely, what decisions, made today or in the near future, would get you closer to living the life you know you're meant to live?

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Blood Money

I've received countless thoughtful responses to yesterday's post about my friend who turned down his dream job because it would require him to effectively take a $850/month pay cut. His dream, calling, and aspirations were sitting right in front of him, and all he had to do was say "yes." He said "no." Money overcame meaning. He knows that, and he also recognizes that the societal pressures all around him were the driving force for his ultimate decision.

One reader took exception to my analysis and aggressively came to the defense of my friend. "You're a finance guy, Travis. You know the math. If your friend invests $850 each month for the next 25 years, that's $1,000,000. That's how he gets to create generational wealth. He'd be stupid to throw away that opportunity."

The math is correct. $850 contributed per month, at a 9% annual return, for 25 years (300 months), would result in about $950,000. He's absolutely right.

You know what I call that? Blood money. If my friend throws away his dreams, calling, and aspirations for the next 25 years (from age 42 to 67) and instead hoards all of this excess money, he'll end up $1M richer. Last time I checked, he only gets one life. One chance. One opportunity. One shot at this. And he's going to exchange the 25 most productive years of his life for a million dollars?!?!? Blood money!

If you know me (whether personally or through the blog/podcast), you know that I'm a big believer in investing. I teach it, advocate for it, encourage it, and help people execute it. I'm a staunch believer in the power of long-term investing. However, NEVER at the expense of meaning and impact. If our investing prevents us from living a meaningful life or it's at the expense of making an impact on others, it defeats the purpose.

Money for money's sake is like losing the game in the first quarter, but not yet knowing you lost. It's the kind of loss that sneaks up on us and blindsides us just as we thought we were about to win.

Sure, my friend could elect to invest $850/month for the next 25 years by turning down his dream. It will result in a million dollars. That's real money. Alternatively, he could live with meaning and follow his dream, calling, and aspirations, and undoubtedly live an amazing life. Not 25 years from now when he has a ton of money, but today. Today. Tomorrow. Next week. Next month. Next year. Always.

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Putting the Meaning Where Our Mouth Is

One of my friends was beyond ecstatic! He had just received word that he was accepted for his dream job. For more than 15 years, he's been talking about how much he aspired to do x type of work. I'm going to be intentionally vague on the specifics, as I want you to focus more on his decision pattern than his interests. But let's just say this guy has been over-the-top interested in this field.

Fast forward one month, and I ran into him at a local restaurant. Obviously, I asked him about his new job. "How's the new job going?!?! Everything you hoped it would be?"

Then, he dropped a bomb on me. "Well, I actually turned it down. They just couldn't get there financially." He explained that the salary offered was $15,000 less than his current job.

"But that was your dream job!!!!" I exclaimed.

This is the part that got me. He shared with me that he was ready to take the job, but several trusted people in his life criticized him and told him it would be a dumb decision. In his heart, he knew he needed to seize this opportunity. However, when push came to shove, the cultural pressures around him to prioritize money won the day.

He just sold his dream for $15,000/year, $1,250/month. After taxes, it's probably more like $850/month. He sold his dream for $850/month!!! Also, to clarify, this $850/month isn't the difference between his family surviving or not. This $850/month is lifestyle, margin, and more investing. He had been waiting his entire life for this moment, and turned it down for $850/month.

Please don't hear me criticizing him or looking down upon him. I get it. There's an immense cultural pressure to place money above all else. "Take care of your family." "Provide." "Create wealth." "They deserve more." It's so loud that it can seem deafening.

I've been there. I've looked at myself in the mirror and ultimately chosen money. I've fallen into that trap.....multiple times. I'm not trying to be a hypocrite here. Rather, I'm just some random dude who has lived on both sides of this coin that cares enough to die on the hill that the meaning side will always trump the money side. IF, and only IF we can put our meaning where our mouth is, our lives begin to open up and we experience something far richer than money could ever buy. Easier said than done, but so, so worth it!

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Empty Soul, and Tons of Regret

As I was scrolling social media last night, I stumbled upon something that stopped me in my tracks. It was a distraught-looking middle-aged man staring into the bathroom mirror, with the following text plastered across the screen: "30 years of service to a job, and all you have to show for it is an empty house, empty soul, and tons of regret." I'm not going to share the post, as my thoughts aren't as much about this particular man as they are about the broader phenomenon.

I've seen this look on too many faces. I've heard these words from too many mouths. So many people (especially men) are suffering in silence.

One of the root causes of this phenomenon is our perspective on work:

1. We generally view work as a necessary evil. We expect work to suck, then just like clockwork, it sucks.

2. If work sucks, then the objective becomes the race to someday quit working (i.e., retirement).

3. If work is supposed to suck and our goal is to get to the finish line as quickly as possible, we unintentionally create a self-fulfilling prophecy in the selection of our job(s).

4. When we spend half of our waking hours at work, and said work is soul-sucking, then there's probably not a lot of gas left in the tank for the things we do actually care about. Thus, those things also suffer. Our relationships, our hobbies, and our passions.

5. When we finally "win" the race and get to retirement, we realize this life of leisure wasn't actually the answer after all. That brings on an entirely new level of pain and emptiness.

6. Enter the regrets.

The solution to this is unbelievably simple, yet so very difficult. It's called aggressively and violently pursuing meaning each and every day. Every day matters. Weekend days matter. Work days matter. Holidays matter. Vacation days matter. Young days matter. Middle-aged days matter. Older days matter.

But if we live our lives as if half our waking hours don't matter because we at least have the rest, the pain starts to bleed into all the days. Instead, what if all the days mattered? What if we found just as much meaning in our job as we did in our home life? What if our work provided a similar richness that our weekends provide?

It's simple. It's difficult. It's attainable. It's worth it.

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Self-Employment Is Perfect, If…

It's a sentiment I hear all the time, but one specific conversation with a friend inspired today's post. He's a man who has experienced a decent amount of success in his corporate career. He makes good money, he's in a field that aligns with his skills and passions, and he generally likes his job. All in all, he would self-describe his life as meaningful and his work fulfilling. However, the grass always feels greener on the other side. And to him, the grass of self-employment seems a lot greener than that of corporate America.

In his words, self-employment sounds "Perfect!"

I gotta admit, self-employment IS perfect. I say that tongue-in-cheek, of course. Seriously, though, self-employment is perfect if....

....you enjoy having the worst boss ever.

....you're okay having no paid time off.

....you don't know whether or not you'll have enough income to feed your family this month.

....every hour of the day becomes a potential work hour.

....you prefer to arrange (and pay for) your own medical insurance.

....you're cool paying double payroll taxes.

....you're excited to take on marketing, admin, finance, and accounting responsibilities.

....you wake up in the morning thinking you'll become the next Jeff Bezos, but go to bed wondering if you'll be homeless tomorrow.

....you're committed to making sure everyone else gets paid before you make a penny.

If that's you, yeah(!!!), self-employment is perfect! Seriously, though, I do love self-employment. However, it's not the magic pill many think it is. It can be brutal, unforgiving, and ruthless. Our collective romanticism of self-employment / business ownership doesn't fairly represent the true reality that people in the trenches are experiencing.

I sincerely think most people would be happier in their traditional job. Traditional work can and should be beautiful, fulfilling, and meaningful. Please don't let society trick you into believing you must "be your own boss" in order to be successful. The best path for you is whatever the best path is for you.....period.

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Because Of, Not In Spite Of

I spent the last two days in rural Nebraska working for a new business consulting client. The trip came together on 36 hours' notice, which required me to rearrange my entire schedule and convert in-person meetings to virtual (big shout-out to everyone who showed me grace!). It was one of the most challenging weeks of my career. I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and a bit stressed.

Sometimes, we look at these types of situations and tell ourselves that life is good in spite of these twists and turns. I don't think that's a fair way to perceive it. Instead, I think life is good because of these twists and turns. 

As I reflect on all the insane situations I've found myself in this past year, I don't think 15-years-ago Travis would have been able to wrap his head around it. Frankly, I don't think that version of me would have been down for it. After all, our human nature is to hold on to the familiarity of the known (comfort) and reject the unknown (perceived risk). 

If I could go back in time and have two minutes to share something with former me, it's this: Embrace the journey. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. The twists and the turns are what enhance the meaning. 

As I head back home this morning, I'm full of gratitude, fresh insights, unique challenges, fun experiences, and hopefully some new relationships. 

Cheers to another day/week/month/year of twists and turns. Run to them, not away from them. Have an awesomeweekend!

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Get To

I was recently chatting with one of our young Northern Vessel employees, and he said something awesome: "My friends always talk about having to go to work. I get to go to work."

He went on to share about how much he enjoys working for us. He mentioned his co-workers, the leadership, our guests, the culture, learning new skills, being challenged, and, of course, making money.

Is this the perfect job in the world? Depends on who you ask. I'd like to think we've done a good job creating a culture that people want to engage with. However, I think a MAJOR factor is this young man's perspective. He has a healthy perspective of work and intentionally seeks meaning in it, which drives his get-to attitude.

On a related note, one of my eight-year-olds was excited to return home from a handful of days in KC visiting his cousins. Yeah, I think he was excited to see me, but he was also excited to mow. He didn't have to mow.....he got to mow. I gave both kids the option, and Finn jumped at it.

Similar to our NV barista, Finn's passion for the work is a mix of things. He's always had a heart for mowing, he enjoys seeing the visual progress of his actions, he knows it's a way to serve his family, and, of course, the money. By the time he got done, he was hot, sweaty, and content. He was also $30 richer, which made him smile.

Is mowing the best job in the world? Depends on who you ask. In Finn's case, while I believe he has some passion for it, I think he has a really healthy attitude towards it. His perspective is healthy, which drives his get-to attitude.

Whatever is on your plate today, I encourage you to have a get-to attitude. Whether it's the best work in the world, or something far from perfect, the work matters. You can treat it like a have-to, or a get-to. The choice is yours, and that choice will play a significant role in how it goes. Always choose "get to."

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Freedom Has a Catch

Social media was ablaze yesterday, filled with people lamenting about how we're not actually free. There was anger, embarrassment, resentment, and condemnation. Do we live in a perfect country? No way! Is it a free country? I've traveled to approximately forty countries over the years, all wonderful in their own ways, and have yet to find one that offers the same level of freedom and opportunity as America. Traveling abroad is one of my favorite things in life, and I always find nuances and dynamics in each country that I deeply admire (perhaps enough to move there at some point in my life), but I always return to America with a sense of gratitude for what it is. Again, we're not perfect....not even close.

When I look around and see what people around me are doing with their lives, I'm humbled. I have countless examples, but here’s one. I know a guy who immigrated to this country when he was 17. He didn't know a single word of English, and as he puts it, he was "poor poor." It was a struggle for him, to say the least. Fast forward a few decades, and he's created a beautiful career and life for his family. He, too, would acknowledge this country isn't perfect. On the flip side, when asked about his decision to move to America, he had this to say: "There's nowhere else in the world where a man like me could move to and have the opportunity to do what I've done. I owe a debt of gratitude to this country, as does everyone who comes after me. I love this place so much. I'm proud to be an American."

Whenever I talk to people who feel stuck in their work and believe they have no options, I think of my friends like the man above. Each of us has the freedom and power to choose our work. There are millions of jobs out there, each with its own positives and negatives. None of them are perfect, but some would be perfect fits for each of us.

It always feels ironic to me that 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs, yet we all live in a country that allows us the opportunity to shift our work at any time. Countless people in my life walk this ironic path. They are miserable, yet don't feel compelled to do anything about it.

That's the catch with freedom. Yes, we're free. Yes, opportunity is abound. Yes, we have countless options. However, the catch is that we each must raise our hand, say "yes," step forward, and take action to harness that freedom. No matter how good or how bad you have it right now, better is on the other side of stepping into the freedom.

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We Indoctrinate ‘Em Young

After months of the kids asking, I finally pulled the trigger and opened bank accounts for them. There's a particular app that's perfect for this endeavor, which includes a checking account, savings accounts, a debit card, and even investing. From what I can tell, the mechanical execution of this platform is pretty solid. I'll share more about this little adventure at a future date, but for reasons you'll soon see, I'm not going to reveal the name of this platform today.

One of the features of this app is an education catalog. There are videos, games, and quizzes that help teach children about financial literacy. Pax quickly found this section and began watching some of the videos. He learned about needs vs.wants, living below his means, and the basics of inflation. Yes, it was weird to have an almost nine-year-old bring up the fundamentals of inflation at the dinner table

Generally, the financial literacy pieces were solid and well-executed at an age-specific level. But then, as he began working through the saving lessons, this happened:

Which would you choose?

• Retire from working early.

• Live in a more expensive house.

• Travel for vacations often.

This is financial literacy for CHILDREN, and we're already glorifying the race to stop working. When I say that our culture glorifies retirement and demonizes work, this is exactly what I'm talking about. It's not hyperbole.

Every single aspect of our lives pushes the narrative that work sucks and not working is awesome. No wonder so many people are perfectly content working at jobs they despise. 7 out of 10 Americans dislike or hate their jobs, yet nothing ever changes. Why? First, we're told our entire lives that work sucks......so we go into it thinking it's supposed to suck. Second, we tell ourselves that the suckiness doesn't have to last forever. If we just run the race faster and hoard more money, we can quit this stupid working stuff, get to the good part of life, and finally enjoy ourselves.

I know people who are so miserable at work that their hair is literally falling out. I know someone who is so stressed at their job that migraines have become a daily part of their routine. I know multiple people who are so drained by their work that all they want to do on the weekends is sleep. I know multiple people who are so broken by their work that their fingernails and toenails have stopped growing. People are literally dying from their work. Yet, we normalize the misery.

"Dad, what does retire from working early mean?"

I explained to him that some people don't like their jobs and would rather not work than work. So they save more money so that they can stop working when they are younger.

"If they don't like their job, why don't they just go get a different job? They can help people another way."

The mind of an eight-year-old! So simple, so straightforward, so obvious. He hasn't yet become polluted by the ways of this world.

"I think you're right, bud. They should go find a different way to help people. Work is awesome!"

Our kids deserve better. They deserve to live a meaningful life now, not just someday once they finish the retirement race. Let’s help teach our kids the better they deserve.

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More to the Equation

I recently spent some time with a former youth group kid who is now living a full-fledged adult life. He's doing great! He's one of those kids I thought would thrive as he worked through college and into the working world. We talked about many different topics, but he made one particular comment that struck me as blog-worthy.

In his early 20s, he's making approximately $75,000 in his desired field. I don't know what you think about that number, but to me, it feels like a stellar salary for this age.....unbelievably attractive! He proceeded to share that multiple other companies have offered him over $100,000 to jump ship and take a different job. Interesting!

When I asked him what he thinks of these other opportunities, he said they sound like great jobs in his desired field, and he'd probably like them. However, he turned them all down. Why? Because he LOVES his current job. The work, the people, the lifestyle it provides him. He's living his best life, and increasing his annual income by $25,000+ isn't worth risking his current life. Meaning over money.

I'm so proud of him for factoring more into the equation than just money. Money is money, but life is priceless. He's living such a blessed life right now. Would an extra $25,000 per year come in handy? Of course! He could do a lot of good with that money, but not if it comes at the expense of the beautiful life he's built for himself.

I'm not suggesting that he shouldn't have considered any of these other options. Doing so wouldn't have made him greedy or selfish. Any one of these jobs could be amazing for him, in more ways than one. However, for him, right now, it's not worth risking, given all the other factors in this equation. His maturity is so good!

There's more to the equation than money. I repeatedly watch people allow money to be the winning factor in the equation, only to feel guilt, regret, and resentment. More money isn't a bad thing, but it can be the worst thing if it comes at the expense of a meaningful life.

Applause to this young man, his promising career, and the beautiful life he's building. I'm so proud of him. I think we can all learn from his example today.

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Losing Track

Most people have a stark understanding of the rhythms of their week. They can feel it in their souls. What makes me say this? The vast majority of people have a little internal clock that counts down to Friday. There's an anticipation that builds all week, culminating with a euphoric feeling as Friday afternoon approaches. Then, as the weekend wears on, the opposite happens. As the weekend fun ticks on, a little sense of dread starts building, particularly on Sunday afternoons. Some call it the Sunday Scaries. But in any event, most people have a good feel for their weeks.

While I know this feeling intimately, that's not how I experience life today. My day-to-day and week-to-week experiences are quite different, and borderline disorienting. If I were to put a checkmark in the "con" category of pursuing work that matters, one might be this: Every day feels the same.

No, every day doesn't look the same. I do different things each day, and my work varies widely. However, my perspective of my days and weeks doesn't deviate. I can't tell weekdays from weekends. I can't discern the night before a work day and the night before a day off. I don't have an internal clock that says tomorrow should be Friday, or a sense that Monday is approaching. Every day feels exactly the same to me.

On one hand, this is an awesome feeling. I look forward to each and every day, regardless of whether it's a work day or a vacation day. I wake up with a bold sense of anticipation and excitement.

On the other hand, I lose track of time. I never remember if tomorrow is a work day or a weekend. I wake up most mornings not immediately knowing if I'm supposed to work or relax. It's surreal.

I never really thought much about this feeling until a client brought it up. He explained a similar concept in his life, and up to that moment, I just thought I was the only crazy person who felt this way. Now, I'm beginning to understand there's an entire group of people who experience this surreal dynamic to their rhythms.

For as weird and disorienting as this feeling is, I decided I'm going to chalk it up as a win. After all, if we're looking forward to each day, regardless of what degree of work or play it entails, that should tell us something about the life we're pursuing.

Does this resonate with you? Can you relate? I'm curious how people respond to this idea. Am I crazy? Does this even sound appealing? Please react to this and share what's on your mind. I hope you have a great start to your week. Wait, it is Monday, isn't it?

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You Didn’t Put a Ring On It

Two years ago, one of my clients made a dramatic shift in her career when she accepted a new job in a new industry. Her career started in the field she studied in college, but seven years later, she felt called to move in a different direction.

These last two years have been fantastic for her, but she again feels called in a different direction....into yet another completely new industry. The feelings of guilt are growing. She's developing a self-consciousness about this development. Is she a traitor? What will her friends and family think? Shouldn't she be using her degree? Wouldn't it be better to stay in one place?

Here's my feedback to her: "You didn't put a ring on it. You aren't married to a specific job or a particular industry. Do what you gotta do."

Then, she turned the tables on me. "Travis, how do you know you want to do what you're doing for the rest of your life?"

The truth is, I don't. I might be doing the exact same thing 20 years from now......or I might make another drastic shift in 20 months. I have no idea, and that's exciting! All I know is that I'm exactly where I need to be today, and tomorrow, I'll endeavor to do the same.

All we have is the present. We can't go back and redo what's already happened, and we can't yet influence the future. Today is what we have to work with, so we might as well honor it by following our calling.

Not only do I think my client is making the right decision, but I wish more people were as bold as she is. So many people would be blessed and live with far more meaning if they were honest with themselves and brave enough to follow their unique calling (even if their calling seems crazy to others).

You didn't put a ring on it, so please don't treat it like you did. It's okay to make a shift. Don't live with the regret of wondering what would have happened had you actually followed that calling.

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Downshifting

I shared this with a few readers already, but yesterday's post was one of the rare instances where I dreaded hitting the "publish" button. I knew the backlash would be swift and severe, and I was right. Within just a few hours of the post going live, I received at least 30 messages.....and nearly all of them were negative. You can read yesterday's post HERE, but in the event you don't want to, I'll summarize:

• Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of starting my career.

• I'm almost 44 years old.

• I'm only 1/3 through my career. Translation: I implied that my career will stretch (God willing) into my early-to-mid 80s.

• I don't believe in the world's made-up concept of retirement. It encourages us to remove ourselves from the game and live for ourselves just when we're entering our peak impact years.

• I think we all deserve better than to coast out our remaining days like a bunch of spoiled slugs. You have so much more in you!

Most of the negative feedback revolved around the idea that some people who are retired still work, volunteer, be productive, and use their skills. If that's you, I applaud you. But I also have some news for you: You're not actually retired. See, I think culture has created a perverted definition of the word "retirement." We generally define retirement as one or more of the following things:

• No longer working full-time (i.e. working less than the traditional 40-hour week).

• No longer working at a job that sucks (i.e. "I'm doing something I love now").

• No longer getting paid for the work (i.e. volunteering).

All three of those are still work. Part-time work is still work. Meaningful or enjoyable work is still work. Volunteer work is still work. Therefore, if you "retired" and now fall into one or more of these categories, you didn't retire; you just quit your job and shifted your career to something new.

I call it downshifting. Blog reader Randy is "retired," except he's not. He merely downshifted his pace and transitioned into different roles. He's actually making more impact in this season of his career than ever before.

Blog reader Dave may soon be in the same camp. He'll "retire" in the world's eyes, but he's not actually retiring. Instead, he'll probably downshift and focus more time on other work. Similar to Randy, he'll make far more impact in the next season than he has in all his years prior.

My friend Julie "retired" a year ago, but she did nothing of the sort. Though a "retirement" party was thrown in her honor, she merely left that job, downshifted, and transitioned into different work. Knowing her, she'll probably even upshift again at some point.

Ironically, much of the criticism I received yesterday was from people who aren't actually retired, but rather fall into this weird and twisted definition the world has set before us. Each one of them is and will make more impact in this next season of their downshifted careers than ever before. And for that, I applaud them for their service and commitment to serving others.

Yes, true "retirement" is an option. We can bask in comfort and live the remainder of our years for ourselves. The other option is to stay in the game. Downshift. Transition. Focus. Create impact. Pursue meaning.

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1/3 Through the Race

Today marks the 20th anniversary of starting my career: June 6th, 2005. Just a few days after graduating with a finance degree from Iowa State University, I packed up my dumpy little apartment and moved into an equally dumpy little apartment in suburban Kansas City.

I spent the next four years growing my career in institutional commercial real estate investing before being involuntarily relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, during the Great Financial Crisis. It was a scary and frustrating time, but I was so grateful for the opportunity to keep a job when everyone around me was losing theirs. I was hurt, but blessed.

I spent the next ten years continuing my commercial real estate journey, eventually leading me to work primarily with European and Middle Eastern clients. Those were some special years, and I grew tremendously through them.

However, during the back half of that decade, I felt this lingering pull to make a dramatic shift and dedicate my life to something different. That was a hard decision, though, as I was making more money than I ever imagined I would. Ultimately, I had to choose meaning over money, and in June 2019, I started my financial coaching business.

These last six years have been absolutely wild. It started as financial coaching for families, but quickly grew to include business consulting, podcasting, writing, speaking, and Northern Vessel. I'm so grateful for all of it. It's been the honor of a lifetime.

Today, I'm almost 44 years old. As I reflect on the past 20 years, I realize I'm about 1/3 through my career. So much has happened already, but I can't even fathom what's about to happen in the next 40 years of this career. Here's one thing I do know, though. Whatever happens in the next chapter will dwarf the impact I had in the first 20 years of my career. No matter how much good happened in the past, the future will surely be brighter.

How do I know that? Here's how. 44-year-old Travis has more experience, skills, insights, relationships, influence, and resources than the Travis who existed over the prior 20 years. As such, there's almost zero chance I don't make a bigger impact this next season than the last. Everything builds on everything.

The irony of this situation is that our culture will soon cheer me on to retire and ride off into the sunset. It will tell me that I can afford to quit work and start "enjoying life." So many people I know are leaving the game before even reaching their peak impact years. They raced to this made-up 21st-century concept called retirement, where they will now coast out the remainder of their lives in comfort. Instead, they could literally be changing the world by engaging in the world with everything they have to offer.

Don't get me wrong; I'm all for freedom of choice. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want with their life. I don't have a right to tell people what they should or shouldn't do. However, I'm going to use whatever influence I have, and the example I have the opportunity to model, to show that each of us has so much more to offer this world than the world is giving us credit for.

Whatever impact you made in the past pales in comparison to what you can do from here on out. Prove it.

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Four and a Quarter

I recently found treasure! Well, not real treasure, exactly. As I was rummaging through some of my old childhood possessions, I stumbled upon a little wrinkled piece of paper that more resembled a ticker tape than a sheet of paper. It was my original pay stub from my very first job!

I was 15 years old and was hired to be an early morning groundskeeper at my local golf course. My first responsibility was to arrive at the course five days per week at 5AM to rake all the sandtraps before the early bird golfers arrived. My hourly wage for such a stellar job? $4.25/hour. Yeah, you bet I was rollin' in the dough!

It's easy to look at that number - $4.25/hour - and laugh. It was so little, especially after taxes were withheld. However, it might as well have been a million dollars for a 15-year-old kid trying to save money for his first car.

I learned so much at that job. No, I didn't go on to apply my groundskeeping skills in the years and decades that followed. That summer, I learned about discipline, doing difficult tasks, the value of money, and the beauty of work. That job didn't feel beautiful at the time (it kinda sucked!), but over the subsequent decades, I look back fondly at that job and what it taught me.

I hope each of you has your version of my four and a quarter per hour job. The one that paid little, challenged much, and taught you some key lessons along the way. To this day, I never take anything for granted, especially as a business owner. I'm so grateful for each and every dollar of income I'm blessed with to provide for my family.

Sometimes, when I get reflective, I think back to that kid working on the golf course as a 15-year-old, sweating it out for four and a quarter per hour. I'm really glad he did that. Had he not, I don't think I would have developed the habits, mindsets, and principles I have today.

Never forget where you came from, and never take what you have for granted. Both are blessings.

Lastly, if you have kids, don’t rob them of the beauty of work. Encourage them to create their own four-and-a-quarter moments that will shape them, mold them, and teach them valuable life lessons. It’s not even about the money. It’s about learning how to work and the discipline it takes to be successful. That skill is needed more now than ever before!

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Worst Nightmare or Dream Come True

A question was posed at my table: "What would you do if you suddenly had enough money to live and no longer had to worry about finances?"

The answers were nearly unanimous. "I'd quit my job." "I'd quit my job." "I'd quit my job." "I'd quit my job." Then, it was my turn to answer....except I didn't have an answer. I froze. Even with the benefit of now having weeks to think about it, I can't think of a single action I'd take if I suddenly had enough resources to no longer worry about finances. I certainly wouldn't quit my job, and that feedback caused quite the stir at my table.

Let's modify the original question. "What would you do if you suddenly had enough money to live and no longer had to worry about finances?.....with one catch: You MUST quit work."

For most, this is the most no-brainer question of all time. In fact, it's a double win! Security AND retirement.

Curious about how some people might respond to this question, I saved it for a client meeting. I knew I would be meeting with a husband and wife who both love their jobs. They are living their true calling. They ooze with passion. Therefore, this was a perfect opportunity to ambush them with this question. For additional context, they are NOT wealthy. They live a very middle-class lifestyle and absolutely don't have financial security.

"What would you do if you suddenly had enough money to live and no longer had to worry about finances?.....with one catch: You MUST quit work."

Husband: "I don't think I could accept that offer. It sounds terrible."

Wife: "No way I'd do that. My work means too much to me."

Husband: "I know you wouldn't do it, Travis. This sounds like your worst nightmare!"

He knows me too well! They gave me the exact answers I thought they would, and, in fact, this scenario is my worst nightmare. The thought of having all the resources I've ever needed but not doing what I do for work would be like living in a horror movie.

I've shared this with several people and have received two polar opposite responses. 90% of the people shook their heads like I'm a raging lunatic. The other 10% of people nodded their heads with me and told me it's like I'm reading their minds.

I have empathy for people on both sides of this equation. I'm not here to tell people how they should feel, but I'll share how I'd feel if I were in the 90% camp that would eagerly jump for that theoretical opportunity. For me, it would be a sign that I need to do something different. I want to do something so valuable to me that no amount of money could get me to quit it. That's a tell for me. I've been on both sides of this equation, and I'll do almost anything to stay on this side.....including turning down life-altering money.

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Even When You Don’t See It

I recently had a fun interaction with a young couple. As we discussed how this couple operates their financial lives, I was continually impressed by how they had things set up. From how they budgeted, the tools they used, and the principles they practiced. For not being financially-minded people, they sure had a firm grasp on their finances! They were leaps and bounds ahead of most people.

Curious, I asked how they ended up in such a cool place already in their marriage. "We both listen to your podcast all the time, then we talk about it, then we try to implement pieces of it in our marriage."

Wow, just wow! To be honest, it's hard to see the true impact of a podcast. 425 times, we recorded, edited, published, and trusted that our Meaning Over Money Podcast would make a difference. 425 episodes. 113 hours of me talking into a microphone, published into the abyss.

While it would be so much more fun, rewarding, and emboldening to see every impact our work makes, that's not reality. We might get a glimpse into some of our impact, but most happens behind the scenes. We set things into motion and trust good will come from it. That applies to all jobs in all disciplines. Here's the beautiful thing, though. Impact is still impact, even when you don't see it. It all counts the same whether you're watching it first-hand or if you never know about it at all.

So much of what you do each day impacts the world in ways you never would imagine. Things you say, actions you take, decisions you make. Yes, some days feel futile. You might get home and wonder if it was all for nothing. No, in fact, it wasn't. Good came from your work today, whether you know it or not. And more good will come from it tomorrow.

This is all to say, don't be discouraged. Don't underestimate the impact you're having. Each day you set yourself into the world and endeavor to do good work, good things ARE happening. Your work matters. You're making ripple effects on this world, whether visible or invisible, and the world is a better place for it. Keep up the good work.

Here's my prayer for you today. Like this young couple I had the pleasure of speaking with, I hope you get a little glimpse into the impact your work is having on the world. I hope you get a little boost of encouragement just when you need it. Don't miss it or dismiss it when it comes. Celebrate, be grateful, and keep up the good work!

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