21 Comments

I can relate. I'm on a three-months sabbatical, and have already spent 3 weeks doing not much. I'm transforming big time on the inside, but on the outside it's just chaos and no schedule at all. I expected change and structure to arrive the moment I got to this new location, but it's not here yet.

Expand full comment

Good on you for taking a break!

You know, I think it takes so much out of ourselves to make those big decisions that we feel it’s half the battle when in reality it’s barely 10% of the work. It’s really just launching us in a new direction and there’s still 90% of the work to be done to access that new person we envision.

We just need to pay the price!

Expand full comment

I can relate to so much of this Kenny. Just started documenting my own similar experiences ➡️ https://bit.ly/1461-days-to-change-my-life

Expand full comment

Glad it's resonating! Which part resonates the most?

I'll check out your issue when I have a lull in my day :)

Expand full comment

Thanks 🙏

This really resonated with me:

In the past year, I said “yes” to too many things and worked on stuff that didn’t bring enough revenue or didn’t bring joy.

Expand full comment

Btw! Also curious to know more about your idea of buying an online business!!

Expand full comment

Funnily enough we got an accepted offer yesterday! Now we’re entering due diligence and hopefully everything goes well :)

Expand full comment

I liked this read Kenny! I have never quit my job without something lined up, but I get the idea. There are a lot of 'if's' going on in my head. 'If I can quit my job as a freelance product manager - then I'll have time to built something of my own' - bullshit of course. I can already start building something of my own now (and that's what I'm trying to do :))

Thanks also for the shares, I'm going to check them out.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Marie! I also tend to have something lined up before quitting my job and I’d like to do the same if I ever put my freelancing on pause.

I commend you on starting your side projects. What are you working on?

Expand full comment

Congratz father! I hope you enjoy this experience and good luck with time management, you will level up your schedule. I don't have kids yet, but I think I will need to have my priorities well defined as well

Expand full comment

Thank you, David! We’re currently levelling up our schedule and coordination. Getting better every day!

I’m sure you’ll be fine once you get there. It looks like it’s like quitting your job, not something you can test out or simulate!

Expand full comment

Congrats on the kid! I have a daughter myself. One thing I've noticed is that most VC unicorn founders are young and unencumbered, but most bootstrappers have kids - counter-intuitively, since you'd think they're such a timesink, they'd get in the way of entrepreneurship, and such a money-sink, it'd be to difficult to boostrap. But my theory is it gives you a larger future to build for that makes you care more about it, and sets a higher floor for your "minimal responsibility level", both good qualities for business owners. Congrats and good luck!

Expand full comment

Thank you, Bill! How old is your daughter?

I wonder if it’s because people know they have better chances and balance with a bootstrapped venture than taking the fund raising route.

Expand full comment

2.5! And yeah I think so.

Expand full comment

congrats on the first child! I had mine a few months back and it's quite the experience! Definitely a huge intrinsic motivator. As a tip for having some sort of structure in your life, try to have a simple routine for the first hours of the day. In my case I wake up every day at 6:30, go to the gym, get back, make coffee, and start working. Having a simple routine lets me switch into "work mode" more easily

Expand full comment

Thanks, Fernando! Same to you! How has it been for you? Do you feel like you have things more or less under control now?

That’s a good suggestion. We’ve had a more solid routine at night but mornings are still chaotic. We’ll start thinking about it!

Expand full comment

I feel like the first month was the toughest, and form there it's been pretty smooth. Though we might have gotten lucky with our baby, since she sleeps great at night and only wakes up once or twice

Expand full comment

Congrats Kenny! Excited for you to step into those new dad shoes. You'll certainly have less time available for work, but something about kids helps you focus the time you do have. Thanks for the shoutout, btw. Made my day! 🫶🏼

Expand full comment

Thank you! And I already feel like I need to be on top of my game, haha!

And my pleasure for the shoutout! Always happy to share the good stuff with others :)

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing!

I can relate to those struggles.

Expand full comment

The inertia is real and there's more than one habit to untangle. It's important for us to give us some grace and be patient :)

Expand full comment