I spent years thinking life was a balanced equation where everything mattered equally. It doesn’t. If you don’t have your health, you’re barely surviving let alone thriving. I learned the hard way that you have to build from the ground up, starting with the dirt and the stone. If you’re building on shaky ground to start with, you certainly can’t expect the roof to hold when rough times hit. These four pillars are my blueprint, and pay attention to the order because it’s the most important part of the plan for me.
I. The Foundation: Health as a Multiplier
You cannot drive a car with a cracked engine block and expect to win a race. I used to treat my body like a rental car that I never planned on returning. It was either all gas, or all brake. There was no in between. That’s because my “why” was built on a shaky foundation. I just wanted to “look good.” But if your physical house is on fire, the view from the window doesn’t really matter much, does it? I thought A LOT about this during my cancer treatment and subsequent recovery. I shifted from wanting to look good, to wanting to feel good. That’s the number one priority. Here’s how I do it:
- Sleep and movement are the priority. I make quality sleep a priority. I am done with the “hustle” culture that treats exhaustion like a badge of honor. Trading my biology for a few more work emails or a few minutes of doom scrolling is a great way to not be the best “you” you can be. I also make time for some sort of exercise daily. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long grind-fest. Just get up and move. I prefer programs on the BODi platform. That’s what works for me. Find what works for you. It’s worth it.
- Preventative maintenance. It’s a good idea to check the oil before the engine seizes up. Sustainability will beat a spectacular burnout every single time. It’s ok to miss a workout if your body is screaming at you to give it a break. At 50+, working at a physically demanding job plus daily exercise can sometimes be too much. Rest when you need to.
- Fuel for the fight. You cannot show up for your family if you are too tired to even remember their names. Providing your body with healthy foods is like ensuring your battery is fully charged for the demands of life. For me, physical strength and good nutrition provide the energy needed to fully engage with my family and live the life I want.
II. The Core: Family and Friends
After giving myself the time I need to focus on my health every day, I devote my time to my family and friends. Because what good is winning a race only to find yourself alone at the finish line? Relationships are the only assets that don’t lose value the moment you drive them off the lot. I refuse to trade a hug from my wife or kids for a slightly better-looking spreadsheet at work. Connection is the only real currency. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a loner. But genuine relationships and the trust built within them are much more valuable and enduring than financial wealth or material assets ever will be for me. What that means for my family and friends is this:
- No leftovers. My family gets the version of me that still has a personality. They are not the dumping ground for my stress after a long day in the trenches at work.
- Presence is a choice. The world is a loud place filled with things that don’t really matter. Certainly not more than my family. I will protect my time from the “urgent” notifications on my phone.
- The kitchen table legacy. Building a great reputation at work while failing at home is a really bad tradeoff. Your character is measured by the people who actually live with you. Get that right, and work life will follow.
III. The Engine: Wealth as Leverage
Money is just a tool to buy back your time. It is not a scoreboard for your ego or a replacement for having a soul. I want the freedom to say “no” to things, not a garage full of shiny objects that own me. You don’t need a garage full of shiny objects that end up owning your weekend. You need the peace of mind to sit on your porch and know that if the economy goes in the trash or life gets un-fun, you’re ready for it. This is about survival, not status. Stress is a silent killer. That includes financial stress. Here’s how I approach my finances:
- Integrity is the floor. Wealth built on a shaky foundation is just a liability waiting to crash. I manage my capital with the same grit I used to earn it.
- Track the numbers. If you ignore the data, the data will eventually ignore you. Debt is a heavy weight that I have no interest in carrying.
- Building the moat. Financial security is the wall between my family and a bad economy. It is the literal price of peace. I want to get my finances in order now so that I don’t have to worry about money ever again when it’s time to retire.
IV. The Fulfillment: Profitable Passions
There is nothing noble about being a starving artist or a bored retiree. Creativity and productivity are allies, not enemies. I plan to enjoy my interests and let them pay their own way. This is about being a participant, not a spectator.
- Strategic time. I spend my hours on activities that actually sharpen my mind. Mindless scrolling is a hobby for people who have given up.
- Value is the metric. If a passion helps people, it is allowed to make a profit. That’s what this blog is all about. I enjoy exercising and eating healthy. I also enjoy sharing what works for me in hopes that it will encourage and inspire others to do the same, whatever that looks like for them. By doing so, I earn a little bit of income. That income is what keeps my creative fire burning for the long haul.
- The finish line. Doing what you love while the world rewards you for it is the goal. It is the logical result of a life built with intention.
For me, building a life this way isn’t about being perfect or hitting some mountain-top moment. It is about laying one brick at a time to ensure the wall doesn’t fall down when the wind starts howling. I know how heavy the world can feel when you’re just trying to keep your head above water. It’s easy to get lost in the noise and forget that you are allowed to build a life that actually works for you. If you want more time with the people you love, you have to be the one to go get it. Just know that I’m right there in the trenches with you.
Dave
