The Price of Success

Good morning!

I hope this finds you well.

Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.

The newsletter with the goal to inspire you to invest in life experiences.

Thank you for your continued support.

A few weeks ago, I started watching a TV show on Netflix called Suits.

It's a legal drama, and as an attorney, I'm a sucker for a good legal show.

In one episode, one of the main characters, Mike, comes home late one evening and finds his grandmother waiting for him at his apartment.

She's sitting on the couch in the dark.

When Mike asks why she's there, she quietly points to the cold, untouched dinner sitting on the kitchen table.

Mike lowers his head and responds: "I've been working so hard I forgot what day of the week it is. I'm sorry for missing our dinner, Grandma."

If you've ever worked in a demanding field, this scene may hit close to home.

I'm sure many have experienced the feeling of being so absorbed in your work that you lose track of time and, in turn, miss moments with loved ones.

Suits glamorizes the legal profession, but the reality is often far less glamorous.

I was just telling a friend this weekend how much I loved the work I did as a lawyer.

But despite the prestige and the intellectual challenges, the long hours weren't worth it.

As much as I loved practicing law, I didn’t love the work-life imbalance that came with it.

I realized the juice wasn't worth the squeeze.

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle, thinking that if we push a little harder and work a little longer, we'll finally achieve something.

But the reality is that all that "hard work" can come at the cost of the things that truly matter: your relationships, your health, and your peace of mind.

So, I made a change. I shifted gears and embraced a lifestyle that prioritizes more than just work. Now, my life is about more than just the daily grind.

I live for the moments in between, whether it's a mini-retirement, an off-grid getaway, or a cross-country road trip.

And I'll be honest, a "bad day" in my current profession is still better than any great day I had when practicing law.

But it wasn't just the change of profession that made the difference; it was the change in mindset. I realized that life isn't just about what you can achieve. It's about how you choose to live your days.

And the most valuable thing we can do for ourselves is to prioritize balance, time with loved ones, and, most importantly, our own well-being.

So, what's the point of all this?

The point is simple: your work is important, but it should never be at the expense of your health or your relationships.

If you're pushing yourself so hard that you're missing out on life's most meaningful moments, whether it's dinner with a loved one or a quiet evening to yourself, then it's time to reevaluate your priorities.

The truth is, when you work too much, you rob yourself of the things that truly make life worth living.

No job, no paycheck, and no amount of success can replace the connection you have with the people around you or the peace that comes from taking care of yourself.

If you're stuck in a cycle of overwork and burnout, ask yourself:

"Is the cost of this success really worth it?"

Or are you losing something far more precious in the process?

A balanced life isn't just a luxury…

It's a necessity.

The more you invest in your health, your relationships, and your time away from work, the richer your life will be.

Success is important, but don't let it blind you to the things that matter most.

Remember, your time is finite, and you can't get it back once it's gone.

There is no amount of money on the face of the planet that will buy you one second of time.

Don't wait for the "perfect moment" to start living your life to the fullest.

Prioritize what matters now and you'll find that true success is about living well, not just working hard.

Quote that caught my attention:

“The fool, with all his other faults, has this also. He is always getting ready to live.”

—Epicurus

You can find the collection of financial tools & resources that helped me grow from a 6-figure debt to a 6-figure net worth by clicking here.

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