Only take on stress if it serves a greater purpose.

Originally sent exclusively to The Letter subscribers on April 13th. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every Monday at 7am? Subscribe for free here.

Dissatisfaction is what haunts most entrepreneurs.

I’m constantly disappointed in my achievements - I think I can do better. It drives me. 

I turned 40 about 10 months ago. In 10 weeks’ time, I’ll be 41.

Time is galloping on. The landscape of my hair is changing. I’ve become a crafty corner to compensate this change.

The last year has been particularly tough for me. I’ve shared a lot of it here with you lot. Overheads, deals that didn’t land right, fallouts that have cost me.

I tell you this because no one has it perfect.

Life is an endless rollercoaster. Plenty of highs, plenty of lows.

Just as you think you’re winning the universe pulls you back with a dose of reality. 

We are fragile organisms, held together by bones that break and cells that can give up at any moment. It’s worth reminding ourselves to look after our bodies. We’ve nowhere else to go.

On average, we get about 4,000 weeks. I’m at the point where I’m halfway through, or close to it. The truth is, I’ve probably got more behind me than ahead.

That makes me fiercely protective of my time and what I do with it.

So should you! 

Entrepreneurship batters you with a level of stress that few people can handle.

The reality is, if you want to go to the next level, the price of admission is tough times, anxiety, and a relentless drive to succeed.

The trouble is, I’m wired like that. And I don’t mind admitting that more and more, I envy those who are simply content.

Some of my happiest times were when I was 20, running an entertainment agency with just four team members.

Now, the responsibilities are huge. The ambition is bigger. And that persistence to win never switches off.

So here’s my point.

Never think, “that’s another week done” or “another day ticked off”. You’re not getting it back. You don’t know when your tally runs out and you can’t turn it over one last time.

Treasure your time. Spend it how you want. Follow your calling.

Only take on stress if it serves a greater purpose.

When making decisions, think of two people:

Would your 8-year-old self be proud of what you’re doing?

And would your 80-year-old self be proud?

The 8-year-old you has imagination without limits. No boundaries. No fear.

The 80-year-old you won’t remember the money. They’ll remember how you made people feel and how you conducted yourself.

Make both of them proud this week. And every week you’re lucky enough to have.

Until next week, treasure your time.

And finally…

I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes.

She hugged me.

To your continued success,

James

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