Starting and growing a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, progress is not a straight line and being a leader is incredibly demanding, stretching you, spreading you thin, and spiraling you toward burnout. Become the leader your vision requires – cultivate the clarity, discipline, and momentum you need to explore boldly and lead intentionally. Get a weekly nudge to think differently, lead intentionally, and keep exploring.
⏰ The Clock Ticks Forward
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We each have a limited time on Earth – and since that’s too big to contemplate, on a weekly basis, we’ve got 168 hours. But, not really. When you factor in things like sleeping, eating, time with family, chores, errands, driving to and from activities, a full-time job, and other basic aspects of daily life… We’re left, each week, with about 20 hours or less to do with as we please. Broken down, that’s only about 2-3 hours a day. And, it’s probably nonconsecutive time, meaning based on your busy schedule, it might be 30 minutes here and 30 minutes there. So, the big questions are:
If you’re trying to fit a side-hustle into an already busy life, if you’re trying to achieve a goal that stretches you above and beyond what you’re already doing today, it likely fits in these 20 hours – or, at least, it starts there. That means a few things have to be true: First, you have to be highly motivated to do more with this limited time. If you’re spending it on something you feel obligated to do, or you’re having to force yourself to do it, you’re only inviting negative feelings and emotions into your life – you’ll dread it, you’ll give up more easily, and eventually you might just stop. What you spend your precious time on should be something that makes you proud and excited – something that brings you so much joy it has a spillover effect on the rest of your life. Second, you have to be honest with yourself about the actual time it will take to do what you’re trying to do – to achieve the goal, to pursue the vision, to create something new. This is not to squash the idea, it’s to see that there will have to be a difference between “Day 1” and “One Day.” There will be a first iteration, however humble and small. And, over time, you’ll work towards the big thing you really want. Whatever you’re trying to do, it will not manifest magically overnight. You will have to be intentional in where you start and what you prioritize. Third, you’ve got to pace yourself. You can’t stress about maximizing the time, every time. Remember well the impacts of stress on the body – the tunnel vision, the stifled creativity, the restlessness that comes from the constant pressure you put on yourself. Find a sustainable pace – one that leaves room for joy and creativity and pursuit, while also the stillness and calm of watching the birds or your children playing outside, while also not ignoring your important relationships, while also making time to rest – however that looks for you. This is what we’re after – change, but not at our own expense. It’s your time. How will you spend it? 📫 If this sparked an idea, or if you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to hear from you. You can reply directly to this email to share what you’re working on, ask a question, or suggest topics you’d like me to cover in future newsletters. I read every response. Until next time, Michael
Michael Schefman | 321 Liftoff Copyright © 2026 by 321 Liftoff LLC |
Michel Schefman, 321 Liftoff
Starting and growing a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, progress is not a straight line and being a leader is incredibly demanding, stretching you, spreading you thin, and spiraling you toward burnout. Become the leader your vision requires – cultivate the clarity, discipline, and momentum you need to explore boldly and lead intentionally. Get a weekly nudge to think differently, lead intentionally, and keep exploring.
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