Puppies & Productivity

If you cannot enjoy the work, then you miss out on the very purpose of life.

Aug 26, 2024

We adopted two puppies about a month ago—I give you Frankie and Goose.

When I was walking one the other day, I thought about the amount of work they require right now. Andrew and I sometimes we find ourselves getting stuck in the immediate moment of frustration—failing to remember the joy that comes along with teaching these creatures how to live with us.

Enjoy the Process

You have to enjoy the process. It becomes very easy to be bogged down by a life of tasks and doings. This is perhaps one of my biggest struggles—failing to be present and enjoy the moment I’m in instead; I often spend the current moment obsessing about the next moment or task I need to complete.

Frankie and Goose remind me that if you cannot enjoy the work, then you miss out on the very purpose of life. Life is not about getting to the destination—because you never will. The truth is, wherever you do arrive in life it is rarely—if ever—where you set out to go. In the case of training these monsters, it would be much less satisfactory to purchase a perfectly trained full-grown dog. In fact, the more we work with them—even in the most inconvenient of days, the stronger our bond with them grows—and that is where the joy of loving is grown.

So whatever project, task, item you are tackling and hoping to push through as efficiently as possible—take a beat. Think about the process and keep that part of it more than just “getting through.” What you put into the project will directly result in what you receive back.

Personal Note:

Along the same lines of tasks and productivity…I’ve been doing a lot behind the scenes with my business this year—things like hiring more significant help, building a more streamlined studio for filming, and creating systems. For much of this quarter, doing these things has required me to write and film less. However, I am very happy to say that, much of this work is completed and I will be able to spend a lot more time doing what I love in the coming months—which is writing and creating videos about finance and its role in building a meaningful and purposeful life.

On that note, Andrew and I are off for our annual family trip to a Colorado ranch. I’m going to take a whole week off—but when I get back, I will resume a much more regular posting schedule now that things are on track for me to refocus my efforts.

Thank you to all of you who read this Stack, watch my videos, and who have followed me over the years as I learn and grow both in my business and life. I am so grateful for the life I have and a business that allows me creative outlets and gives me purpose.

See you all in a few weeks! Happy beginnings of the fall season!

🎥Most Recent YouTube Videos & Lives

Financial Freedom at 65: Which Retirement Account Will Get You There? (9 mins) Avoid the nightmare of not saving enough for retirement because you wasted your hard-earned money using the wrong retirement–or even worse–no retirement account! In this video, I will explain what you need to know to choose the right retirement account for your situation.

✨YouTube Live, Friday, 9/13, 10am

Debunking the 'Renting is Cheaper' Myth

You've heard it a thousand times: 'Renting is cheaper than buying.' This is hardly ever the case, and in this video we'll crunch the numbers and reveal the hidden costs of renting and the significant benefits of owning to your long-term financial success.

I’m always eager to hear from my readers. If you have any finance-related questions or topics you'd like me to cover, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your input helps shape my content and ensures I’m addressing what matters most to you.

Wishing you many happy market returns!