A Salary of Time

I’ve been reflecting a lot on what I created this year.

At first, I was kind of disappointed because I didn’t hit all my business goals. I felt I spent too much time watching TV, and generally struggled with an inconsistent schedule.

These stayed on my mind, needled me, and fanned a narrative that I didn’t work hard enough.

Then I remembered that I wrote a letter to myself the previous year – a collection of moments I wished to experience this year. Not everything came true but way more than I expected became a solid part of my life.

When I took the initiative to look again, I noticed this year gave me gifts that have been sitting on my wishlist for years, which no number of new jobs or projects were able to provide me.

I created a 3-day workweek when I was only bold enough to dream of a 4-day workweek.
My workweek included learning and ‘getting to know each other’ chats. No longer were these activities shoved under ‘personal’ hours.
I had the freedom to be with family for treatments that required my attention during the sacred 9 to 5 window.
I was present in conversations. Every. Single. One. No longer was I looking over my shoulder for a forgotten slack, email, or task.
I worked irregularly and still created things that I was wildly proud of, from my Map to Fulfillment Workshop to my furniture flips.
I was able to touch people’s lives in meaningful ways and witnessed the breathtaking growth my clients went through.
I matured in a pace that fed my soul, not because I was tossed into the deep end or because I had to grow up too fast.

“In other words, I learned to love my work because my work was finally working for me.”

Yes, on the surface, I didn’t earn as much as I have in the past but how I got paid this year changed. My earnings wasn’t only measured in dollars but also consisted of time, a currency that is priceless.