For about six years now, I have been assessing each year where I want to be in 5–10 years. What are the goals, priorities, and so forth? What I find each time I assess and reassess is that I have high ambitions and fairly steep goals.
However, I also have an aim to slow life down and live a more analog lifestyle as I get older. Life is already fast-paced, and it seems even faster when you’re grinding away trying to reach your desired pinnacle.
Even with the goals, I know that in the end, our success is a footnote. In most cases, the majority of our accomplishments won’t be remembered beyond 5–10 years after our passing—outside of maybe our immediate family—unless we achieve something extraordinary.
In all honesty, I don’t want to be remembered much past my immediate family and friends. My ambitions and goals are rooted in a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment. I don’t want to look back on life knowing I didn’t give it my all in key areas. I aim for financial freedom—not riches beyond what I can use, but the ability to wake up and do exactly what I want to do each day.
Whether that’s working on a side project, lifting weights, traveling the world, binge-watching a TV show with sushi, or reading a non-fiction book on a remote island without worrying about bills—I want to be free.
End States
- Knowing I gave it my all—painting my life’s canvas.
- Achieving financial freedom.
- Living a slower, more analog lifestyle as I age.
How I Aim to Reach These End States
1. Fulfillment & Authenticity
- Loving and being present for family and friends.
- Striving to be the best I can be in my career.
- Building businesses to exit and reclaim my time, while earning extra income.
- Focusing on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being—because without balance, everything else suffers.
2. Financial Freedom
- Saving at least 60% of income (after bills), unless it’s going toward debt.
- Paying off debt using the debt snowball method.
- Investing in assets like real estate and stocks, not liabilities.
- Goal: One rental property and two Airbnbs (Pigeon Forge & Oak Island).
- Also contributing to sound stocks and a 401(k).
3. A Slower Life
- As I move through my 30s, 40s, and 50s, I’ll slow down more.
- Spending time with family and friends becomes the focus.
- We can’t stockpile time, but we can stretch it by slowing life’s pace and prioritizing health and longevity.
What Slowing Down Looks Like
Right now, my time is mostly focused on family, career growth, and a side business. But as I age, I plan to shift more into:
- Cooking, gardening, landscaping
- Reading books, writing by hand
- Sitting outside with coffee, going on walks or hikes
- Camping, road trips, meditation, visiting parks
- Hosting cookouts and game nights
- Hunting, fishing, and disconnecting more often
Currently, 20–25% of my life is analog-focused. I plan to grow that share with each passing decade.
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