How to easily upgrade your life

[3 min listen on audio by clicking above]

I was playing post-turkey pickleball and catching in-between games with someone. We were talking business, a bit of my story, and I mentioned how values have drastically changed… which piqued my friend’s interest.

“How have your values changed?” he asked.

I wanted to share some with you today because it’s significantly improved my life.

First, I want to say what I used to value. It'll paint an exciting canvas of contrast.

I used to value money over mostly everything. 

Money was my god. It was the thing I desired more than God and the thing in which I put my hope and security. I thought I'd be safe and secure if I had enough.

Indeed, if you have enough money, you'll never fear again. I still lived steeped in fear.

I also valued wearing a belt of "success" because everybody could see it.

It was big and shiny. It glimmered in the lights of the success. If they saw me reaching the heights, maybe I'd be accepted. So I thought.

I also valued distraction. The more distraction, the better. The busier, the better. If only I could create enough business, I wouldn't have to listen to the echoes of pain bouncing around the walls of my soul.

I valued (way too much) what other people thought of me.

I valued a fast speed (at all costs). I lived in a hurry. Hurry in line, in traffic or in unlocking the next level of revenue and growth.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but broad strokes to give an idea.

Knowing our values is essential to living intentionally. Any of those resonate with you?

Values direct our actions. Because I valued money (a lot), it ruled my life. My values were (mostly) unintentionally shaped by my environment.

Now that I have awareness and experience like a weathered piece of leather, I've been rebuilding a new value system to direct my life sustainably and enjoyably.

Here are some of the upgrades:

My relationship with God.
My relationship with my wife and kids.
Margin to explore new ideas and conversations (even if they don't put coin in the bag).
Letting go of control (ugh, this is hard, but it's so good).
Slowness.
Serving others well.
Loving others well.
Peace, joy and contentment (over everything!).
Kindness.
Gentleness.
Humility.
Gratitude.
Vulnerability.

I aim to live according to those. That's my new success. It’s been a massive upgrade to my life—no need to stroke a sizeable check to live better.

Bonus: It’s allowed me to let go of things that weren’t good for me (even though I thought they were).

It’s common for us to upgrade our life with money and things. These intangible shifts can be a beautiful upgrade if you’re open to them.

Our values direct our lives. If that’s true, it would benefit us to take stock, reevaluate and adjust accordingly.

You aren’t the person you were 20, 10 or 3 years ago. If you’re still operating by that person’s values, it’s time to upgrade.

Here are a few questions consider:

What do you give your time to currently, and what do you want to give it to?
What do you give your mind to, or what do you want to give your mind to?
Who do I want to become, and what qualities would define that person?
What makes me feel truly fulfilled and at peace?
What principles would I want to pass on to others (family, team, legacy)?

Lemme know how it goes.

Much love,

Chris