“Success is not about climbing a ladder. It’s about building a ladder that leads somewhere you actually want to go.”
— Brianna Wiest
Most people think starting a business or career is about following your purpose – and it can be.
But there’s a sneaky trap of thinking that work is all about winning and “going big.”
Out-earning. Out-competing. Out-hustling.
Scale it. Sell it. Crush it.
For me, these are the rules of someone else’s game – usually someone trying to sound impressive while quietly wondering why they’re so tired all the time.
What if the goal isn’t to win in the biggest way possible, but to have your work complement your lifestyle?
As someone who voluntarily played the hustle-and-grind startup game, I’ve realized this:
Work should serve your life. Not swallow it whole.
It should fund your freedom.
Since 2019, I’ve kept things intentionally simple.
One-person business. No employees. No drama. No illusion of scale.
Just me, doing work I care about, on my terms.
Most days, I work 4-5 focused hours.
I walk the dogs. Eat lunch with my wife.
Hit the gym. Jump in the river.
By 4:00 PM, I’m done.
When I need some support, I call my virtual assistant.
Our favorite summer swimming spot!
And yet… every so often, someone chimes in with:
“You could 3x your revenue if you just [insert growth hack].”
Cool. And?
I’m not building complexity. I’m building a life I want to enjoy while doing meaningful work.
I’ve worked inside multiple startups. I know how it goes.
The bigger the business, the bigger the problems:
More people. More systems. More meetings.
Less freedom. Less fun.
Often, they scale to the point of collapse, then backpedal to something simpler.
What if you just never complicated it in the first place?
What if the smartest play isn’t scaling up – but staying small with intention?
Most people lose control of their business or career because they’re trying to build something that earns praise… instead of something that earns peace.
That’s backwards.
Here’s a wild idea …
Keep it small.
Keep it simple.
Make it profitable.
Make it portable.
Be the person who:
- Makes great money
- Doesn’t chase growth like it’s gospel
- Builds a life that feels like the real reward
A few months ago, my wife and I decided to spend the winter in Mexico. We booked the house. Planned the trip. And that was it.
No board meetings. No permission slips.
Just two people choosing life in a way that aligns with our desires.
That’s what New Wealth looks like.
A life where your work fits around your priorities – not the other way around.
Your work isn’t necessarily your purpose. It’s just a tool.
And you’re the architect.
So ask yourself: “Is my work supporting the life I want – or getting in the way of it?”
If it’s draining more than it’s serving, redesign it.
You get one life.
Make sure your work is actually improving it.
Live bravely,
Michael
P.S. What’s one way you could simplify your business or life – so it feels more like freedom and less like an obligation?
