Episode #117 Make Less Money

Seven Problems

• So many people are struggling to get by as a result of income inequality.
• Money may make us more comfortable and secure, but infinitely more wealth does not inevitably lead to the same measure of happiness.
• We often invest so much of our energy into the professional and financial dimensions of life at the expense of the other ten dimensions.
• Pursuing our passions often requires us to make less money, as our critics are so quick to point out.
• We often accept a new job or promotion as the natural next step without first considering whether it will help us to achieve our most important goals.
• We are not a slave to our schedule, but sometimes we sign contracts that bind us to a schedule we subsequently cannot control.
• The choice to make more money comes at great cost, and the decision to accumulate one thing always requires us to give up something else.

Five Principles

• For those of us who are financially secure, we have the power to work fewer hours by choosing to make less money.
• There is nothing more valuable than our time.
• There are other (and more important) ways to provide for our families than through finances alone.
• Regardless of our income, we can always make choices that will make us healthier.
• Even if our profession or specific role in our workplace is incredibly important, we can still create boundaries that prioritize a healthy work-life balance.

Seven Practices

• Advocate for tax reform, higher wages, and other policies that aim to address the unequal and unjust distribution of wealth.
• When negotiating your next contract, prioritize margin over money.
• Be very cautious that a season of increased work hours doesn’t inadvertently become multiple seasons of increased work hours.
• Choose to pursue a degree or career that you are passionate about, without regard to income potential.
• Ask yourself, “Would I rather have a vacation home for my kids when they are grown up, or would I rather be home as they are growing up?”
• Re-evaluate regularly, “Is this a season where I can scale up my hours and paycheck, or is this a season where I can afford to scale back my hours and paycheck?”
• If you find yourself repeatedly saying, “I don’t have enough time,” make an intentional decision to create more time.