How I work less.
When I was 19, I got my first "big boy job" at a headhunting office. From 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, I cold-called potential candidates for engineering jobs I was trying to fill. Around the same time, I started experiencing debilitating panic attacks. They were so severe that I thought I was dying and made frequent trips to the ER. I went so often that the doctors started recognizing me. It felt like my body and soul were rejecting the rigid structure I was trying to force myself into.
At the time, I was incredibly hard on myself. I kept repeating things like:
"Nothing is wrong with you."
"Just push through."
"Everyone is doing it."
But here’s the thing: I’m not everyone else.
I wish I could say it was courage that made me quit six months later, but the truth is, the stress became unbearable. I couldn’t handle it anymore.
After quitting, I went back to working at a restaurant. It was a much more relaxed environment. I was making $100 for 4-5 hours of work and got to eat for free. Looking back, it was the perfect setup for me. That job gave me the time and space to start exploring spirituality and self-development. Without that period of growth, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
At the time, I hated telling people I was still a server at a restaurant. I was so caught up in appearances that I didn’t realize how much that job was doing for me. It provided me with the space to grow internally. I didn’t have to worry about paying my $650 rent or covering food costs. That stability allowed me to focus on finding myself spiritually and developing the skills that would later set me up for success.
Now, I’m 31 years old. My businesses bring in over $20,000 per month, and I work 25-30 hours a week. If it weren’t for the time and space I took to grow mentally and spiritually, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.
If your day job is running you into the ground, it will be hard to grow in other areas of your life. Find a job that supports your growth. For me, work has to align with my main goal in life: developing spiritually.
Growing spiritually doesn’t mean spending every day in a mosque or temple. For me, it means living intentionally. Here’s what that looks like:
Being happy and at peace.
Living a balanced lifestyle.
Having time to sit and meditate.
Spending quality time with loved ones.
Exercising and doing activities like rock climbing.
These are the things I value most. If I’m being consumed by work, I’m moving further away from my goal. Sure, sometimes I have to work 12-hour days, but I make sure those days are exceptions, not the norm. And if I’m working long hours, it’s because it feels fun and aligned—not because I’m forcing myself to.
What’s the takeaway here? Start by writing down what you want your life to look like. For me, it looks like this:
Making over six figures per year.
Having the space and time to explore my interests.
Not rushing around all the time.
Working 25-35 hours per week on average.
You might think, “That’s impossible.” But it’s not—I’m living it now. (And just to be real, I still have student loans to pay off, so it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.)
For context, I graduated high school with a 1.9 GPA and I’m a college dropout. I’ve been working since I was 13. No help from parents. If I can do it, so can you.
So, how do you get there? Here’s a quick rundown:
Identify what you want your life to look like.
Create a plan of action to move in that direction.
Take the first step—don’t get stuck imagining the finish line.
Yes, you need money to survive. But how you define work is up to you. For some, work is a burden. For me, work is something I’m grateful for because it supports my main goal in life.
You have two options:
Get a job.
Start a business.
If you’re considering college as part of your plan, that’s fine too. Just make sure it aligns with your goals. (I’m a dropout, so I can’t speak much to that path.)
First, live within your means. Early on, I made the mistake of jumping the gun—buying a car I could barely afford and leasing an expensive apartment. Those choices put financial stress on me, forcing me to work more. Recently, I downsized my lifestyle so I could work less. Make the sacrifice now; it’s much easier this way.
Once you know how much money you need to survive, brainstorm how to make that money. If you’re getting a job, make sure it supports your goals. For example:
If you want to write a book, avoid a mentally draining job.
If you want more free time, consider a remote job.
Ask the right questions during interviews:
“How do you like working here?”
“Do you often go home stressed out?”
If you’re starting a business, focus on developing a high-value skill. For me, it was photography. I started with real estate photography and still do it because the money is worth it—$120-$200 for about an hour of work.
Here’s how to get clients:
Warm Reach-Out: Text everyone in your contacts to let them know what you’re doing. For example, “Hey, I’m starting to photograph homes for realtors. If you know anyone, send them my way!”
Cold Reach-Out: Contact businesses or people likely to hire you. Door-knock, cold-call, or email—yes, you’ll face rejection, but it’s a numbers game.
Create Content: Post your work online and tag the people you collaborate with. This builds credibility and attracts clients.
Be intentional about the work you choose. If you don’t decide the direction you want to go in, you’ll end up following someone else’s plan for you. Trust that God is guiding you—don’t force things. Sit, reflect, and let the answers come to you. You’ll find your way.
If this resonated with you, do me a favor and share this post.
Bye :)