[Lead Nau] I wasted $75 on the event

What is choosing?

Hi fellow leaders,

As I type this, I should be at an important and interesting event to network and learn. I am so happy I didn't go, and here's why that's relevant to you...

This event would have been interesting, potentially inspiring, and I would have made valuable connections for my business. Plus, I paid a decent amount for it.

Instead of going, I snuck in an extra hour and half of quality time with my nieces and nephews, sister-in-law, and brother who are visiting from out of town. As I explored a botanical garden's waterfall, raced through plastic tubes and down tiny slides, and watched amazed faces listen to a talking tree; I felt absolutely zero guilt, disappointment, or regret about lost money or missed opportunity.

You see, I grew up in a working environment where this choice would have signaled a lack of dedication to my career. Where I'd have been shamed for missing a networking opportunity and seen as soft for prioritizing family over professional growth. The narrative of work-first-or-I'll-never-succeed has deep roots in my psyche.

A year ago, I would have struggled to choose and likely felt the guilt and shame so strongly I would have gone to the event. But today I made the choice with ease.

Why? Because my values are clear.

I built a business on the belief that work should fit into our lives, our lives should not be built around work. I built a coaching career on the belief that we always have a choice and it is rarely the "fool's choice" we see first. My values say spending quality time with loved ones is more important that growing my business.

It's possible I missed out on something for my business today. It's also true I am happier, more fulfilled, and more confident than ever as I show up for my work this afternoon. This happy, fulfilled, confident version of me is a better coach and content creator than the small, shamed, guilty version. So, ultimately, this choice didn't just serve me - it also served my clients and my business.

Your turn: As we enter into the season of holidays and flus, what is guiding your choices? An old narrative? Or the values you carefully selected?

Choose wisely. Your peace of mind depends on it.

Keep growing,
Jamie