One Year That Changed Everything
Next week marks 1 year since I walked away from a high six-figure corporate career with no guaranteed paycheck, no roadmap, and honestly, more fear than I want to admit. I did have a vision of building a life that I could have more time, more freedom. It wasn't about building a 6 or 7 figure business, it was about building a business that could provide for my family, and most importantly allow me to live my life with and for my family first. Everyone thought I was crazy. Maybe I was. Everyone tried to talk me out of it, except my wife. She was very scared, but she knew it was what I needed to do. She didn't even really understand how true the need was. I left to build a business. That was the plan. And yes, the business is being built. But what I didn't expect were the blessings that came with that decision that no salary could have ever bought me. A few months after I left, my parent was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Let that sink in for a moment. Stage 4. If I had still been in that corporate role, grinding 50+ hour weeks, protecting PTO like it was gold, and living for the weekends... I would have missed so much. Heck, I had already missed so much with my children growing up. Three of my four children are adults, three are moved out, and 2 of them are engaged. Missed sporting events, missed plays, and phone calls cut short. Visits that never happened. Moments I can never get back. Instead, I was there. I got to show up. Really show up for my dad. I take him to most cancer treatments, and appointments. And without the "stress" of looking over my corporate shoulder, I can be present during these appointments, understand what the stakes are, really truly be able to explain things to my parents, and other family members. And now, my wife, daughter and I have made the decision to sell everything and move in with my parents to be present for every single moment of this journey. No regrets. No "I wish I had." Just time, presence, and love. The business stuff is real. The freedom is real. But none of that compares to what I've gained in moments that money was never going to give me anyway.