Quality of Life...

Back in January of this year (2009) I wrote a post titled "Success is not Calculated - It's Earned"
A friend of mine replied back which is below, via email. He is discussing quality of life. This is definitely a lesson learned for me and of course I had to realize the importance of this concept on my own at my own time. This was 8 months later...

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I read your blog...Its interesting story! If you would like to discuss my experience on the road to financial independence and how it relates to yours give me a call sometime. Please understand that my long email is not an effort to deter your admirable efforts it is simply a chance to reflect upon some of the lessons I learned. How you choose to apply them is completely up to you!

I had to learn a bitter lesson about this priceless abstract concept called "Quality of Life".

I too was absolutely determined to succeed as an entrepreneur and reach financial independence. I made tremendous sacrifices, subjecting myself and my family to all manner of hardship to pursue the goal and dream of financial independence. Along the rough and unpredictable road I would rationalize the hardships and sacrifices with everlasting hope that the rewards would justify the means (hoping and praying that all of the hardships and sacrifices would eventually have some amazing payoff).

Much like you I was determined to “Succeed” and I was unwilling to accept failure, quitting, or the notion of getting JOB as an option. I too believed that as long as I kept pursuing my goals, dreams, and ambitions that eventually I would find my “Big Break”.

In my mad rush to accomplish financial independence, one day I ironically met a guy at a “Free Real Estate Seminar”. This guy’s name is Tony and we met for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Garden Grove. I told him about all of the things I was pursuing and all of the hardships and sacrifices I had incurred to accomplish my goals. He kindly and carefully explained to me this abstract concept called “Quality of Life”.

Although, Tony commended me for my ambitions he softly explained that life is too short not to enjoy every minute of everyday. Explaining that Time (not money or real estate) is our greatest asset; once it is gone it is gone for good even with all the money in the world can you not buy it back.

I realized a lot of important lessons that day with Tony as he explained this abstract concept called “Quality of Life”:

• My goals and dreams were mine (not my family)
• In my boundless determination to “Succeed” I had put my pride and ego above my family’s immediate health, welfare, and happiness
• How much is my family’s immediate health, welfare, and happiness worth?
• I was so determined not to fail, quit, or get a JOB that I was in reality sacrificing priceless opportunities and moments with my family everyday
• Can I put a price tag on spending quality stress-free time with my family
• Can I put a price tag on having a happy wife
• Can I put a price tag on being able to sleep well at night knowing that I will have enough money for all of my bills and more
• Can I put a price tag on knowing that I will get paid to go to work each day and not having the stress, torment, and anxiety of trying to figure out where I was going to get my next pay check

I whole heartedly endorse the pursuit of obtaining multiple sources of passive residual income and the ultimate goal of financial independence. However, I would warn you if your goals and pursuits are substantially and negatively encroaching on you and your family’s quality of life your goals are probably not worth the present value sacrifice despite the perceived future value reward.

I hope you will ponder and consider this email. I wish you well in your pursuits.

Stay in Touch!

Warmest Regards,

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Reflecting on this now it really hits home. Unfortunately as an entrepreneur I have hit my rock bottom temporarily. I have no regrets other than the pain and unfortunate heart ache my family has incurred as I pursued something that never came to fruition.

Was it worth it? YES!

Would I have done things differently? Absolutely. I risked way too much way too fast and was expecting a wind fall at the end of this venture - yet not providing the basic necessities for my family along the way.

I have realized that quality of life is so important for me and my family. I am at the point now that it is simply not worth it. I just want to be able to have the means to take off for the weekend occasionally with my wife and two boys and enjoy what nature has to offer - stress free.

More to come - until next post.