Even when everything seems to be going smoothly. It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way as a multi-hyphenated creative and entrepreneur. Over the years, I’ve found myself getting comfortable in my career, only to realize that comfort can be deceptive, especially when you’re not truly “comfortable.” By that, I mean having enough financial security to cover your needs without the constant worry of running out of resources. If I can’t afford to sit still for seven days without worrying about whether my savings can cover my rent or mortgage seven times over, then maybe I shouldn’t be sitting still at all—at least not by choice.
Now, I don’t want to confuse the point I’m trying to make. I’m not saying you should never take breaks or that the road to success means working non-stop, sacrificing every moment of your time. In fact, that’s so far from my point that I can’t even remember its name. Breaks are essential, but they must be taken from a place of security, not from a place of complacency.
No matter how successful you think you are, you’ll always be working in some capacity. That’s just the nature of life. But for me, true freedom is being able to do what I want, when I want, without restrictions. It doesn’t mean owning a yacht or jetting off to Dubai on a whim—though that would be nice—it can be as simple as waking up one morning and deciding to check Google Flights, find a quick getaway, and be back by 11 p.m., just because I felt like it. That kind of freedom requires money, of course, but more importantly, it requires structure, balance, sacrifice, courage, and trust. And to maintain all that, you have to master what I call “buying back time.”
So, what do I mean by “buying back time”? It’s simple: it means having the financial means to avoid doing things you don’t want to do so that you can spend your time doing things you genuinely enjoy. This concept isn’t as complex as it sounds, though its execution depends on your individual situation.
Imagine, for instance, that I inherited $100 million from a great-great-grandfather who was worth four times that amount. In this scenario, time has already been “bought” for me, allowing me to live freely and make decisions without the fear of failure, because I know I have a safety net. However, you don’t need to have millions to buy back your time. The theory applies at any level.
Let’s say you work at McDonald’s, and you’re scheduled to work back-to-back shifts on the same days you’ve got concert tickets. You don’t have paid time off, but you also have triple your two-day earnings sitting untouched in your account. While calling out might not be best practice, in this scenario, you’re essentially buying back your time by choosing to enjoy the concert instead of working those shifts. It doesn’t significantly impact your financial situation, but it does allow you to reclaim those hours for something you want to do.
The key takeaway here is to always plan your next move with the goal of buying back time. It’s not just about making money; it’s about making sure that money works for you, so you’re never too comfortable or too constrained by the grind. It’s about creating a life where you have the freedom to make choices that align with your passions, without sacrificing your security.
This is a lesson I’ve had to learn repeatedly. I remember when I was first building my career, I felt a surge of success and allowed myself to coast. That was until I realized that coasting didn’t come with a parachute. I wasn’t ready for the unexpected costs or the opportunities I couldn’t afford to miss. The wake-up call hit hard, and I’ve never forgotten it.
But the learning never stops. Right now, I’m working on several projects that require me to balance creativity with financial foresight. For example, I’m planning a series of short films, workshops and events that I’m incredibly passionate about. But instead of just focusing on the creative aspects, I’m meticulously mapping out the financial side to ensure these projects don’t just happen—they succeed without compromising my future stability.
So, the next time things are going smoothly, don’t get too comfortable—plan your next move, and make sure it’s one that buys you more time to do the things that truly matter. Because at the end of the day, the freedom to make choices that align with your passions is worth every bit of planning, sacrifice, and courage it takes to get there.
Hope this helps,
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