Part 2 of 2
Over the past few blogs, I have explored the idea of “enough”—when we have worked enough, achieved enough, and chased enough. But work is only one piece of a life well lived. The real question is not just, “Have I done enough?” but “Have I lived enough?”
Looking back, I realize that while I was focused on building a career, the things that mattered most were happening outside the office. If I could sit down with my younger self—or any executive in their 20s, 30s, or 40s—this is what I would say about the things that last longer than any title, paycheck, deal, or business.
Family: Be Present, Not Just Accounted For
Work will always be there. Your family will not.
- Your kids do not care what you do for a living. They care if you are at the dinner table. If you show up to the game—and if you watch it! If you put your phone down long enough to hear about their day.
- Your spouse wants your time, not just your success. Too many executives wake up one day and realize they built a great company but lost their marriage along the way. Do not be that person!
- Parents age faster than you think. Call them. Visit them. Ask them questions while you still can.
What I would tell my younger self: Success at work means nothing if you fail at home. Choose presence over busyness.
Faith: Do Not Wait Until Life Forces You to Seek It
Faith is not just about religion—it is about having something deeper than yourself to anchor to when life gets hard.
- A strong faith life will not keep bad things from happening, but it will help you navigate them. I have seen too many executives turn to faith only when they hit rock bottom. Build it before you need it. Remember Noah—he built the ark before the storm.
- You can be ambitious and still be a person of faith. Success and humility are not opposites. Let your faith keep you grounded.
- Faith gives perspective. When you realize your identity is not just in your work, you make better decisions about what really matters.
What I would tell my younger self: You will need faith more than you think. Do not let work crowd it out. Remember what Corrie Ten Boom said: “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.”
Fitness: Take Care of Your Body and Mind Before They Force You To
Your body will not always bounce back. Your mind will not always be sharp. What you do in your 20s, 30s, and 40s determines how you feel in your 50s, 60s, and beyond.
- Physical health is an investment, not a luxury. You do not have time not to exercise. The cost of neglect is far greater than the cost of taking care of yourself.
- Your emotional health matters just as much. Stress, burnout, anxiety—they do not go away on their own. Pay attention to what is draining you and deal with it early.
- Sleep is not a weakness. The badge of honor for “running on empty” is a myth. It catches up to you.
What I would tell my younger self: Your body and mind are your greatest assets. Treat them like it.
Fun: Do Not Let Work Steal Your Joy
One of the biggest regrets I hear from executives later in life is this: They wish they had had more fun along the way.
- Fun is not a reward—it is a necessity. If you wait until retirement to enjoy life, you will have missed the best years of your life.
- Make memories now. Take the trip. Go to the concert. Say yes to the adventure. Work will always be there when you get back.
- Laughter is a great stress reliever. Do not take yourself so seriously that you forget to enjoy the ride.
What I would tell my younger self: If you cannot enjoy the life you are building, what’s the point of all your hard work?
Fusion: Tying It All Together
The secret to “enough” is not balance—it is integration. Life is not cleanly divided into “work” and “everything else.” It is all connected. The way you treat your family influences how you lead. Your faith shapes your decision-making. Your physical and mental health impact your ability to perform.
So, instead of waiting for one day to focus on these things, start today.
- Prioritize the relationships that matter most.
- Invest in your faith like the important asset it is.
- Take care of your body and mind before you are forced to.
- Make time for joy—now, not later.
Final Thought: Live Well, Not Just Successfully
No one on their deathbed will ever look back and say, “I wish I had just spent one more weekend in the office.” (Usually, the only people who know you worked on a Saturday are your family members.)
When all is said and done, most people wish they had spent more time with the people they love. They wish they had been healthier—physically, emotionally, spiritually. They wish they had lived life instead of just managing it.
So, if you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, ask yourself: Am I building a life that I will be proud of beyond my career?
Because “enough” is not just about knowing when to stop working—it is about making sure you have truly lived.