In the midst of balancing work obligations, personal life, and the relentless flow of bills, we frequently deprioritize our own growth, education, and self-improvement. This often finds itself at the end of our daily to-do lists.
Reflecting on my younger years, I can pinpoint two main excuses I frequently used:
- Feeling Powerless – I often convinced myself that things were out of my control, relying on justifications like “I’m overwhelmed with tasks,” “My supervisor isn’t being fair,” or “I can’t keep up with my peers.”
- Anxiety – I was haunted by the fear of missing out on promotions, raises, or simply feeling inadequate. Despite achieving promotions, I found myself unhealthy and unfulfilled, leading to burnout and a disconnection from my identity beyond the workplace.
It took extensive time and investment in therapy to realize that these excuses were rooted in the same source—a profound insecurity.
Value and Career
At the time, I was unaware that my sense of self-value was intricately tied to my job performance. My worth seemed contingent on my boss’s approval, visible work ethic, and the hours spent in the office (well before the impact of the COVID era).
Like many in a similar predicament, I let the thrill of success overshadow the other vital aspects of my life, including my own well-being.
For those individuals who excel in their fields, the business world can indeed be exhilarating. The rush of sealing contracts, exploring new leads, and navigating new technologies can be addictive! Yet, this excitement was insufficient to offset the other things I was sacrificing.
When considering the vastness of a universe that’s at least 13.8 billion years old, it’s absurd to believe that anyone—including your boss—can determine your self-worth or give purpose to your existence.
Take a moment to ponder. Throughout history, great philosophical figures—Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, Confucius, and the ancients—have struggled to answer why we exist, both as a species and as individuals.
Don’t Panic
Years ago, such uncertainties would have caused me great distress. The sense of ambiguity was a source of anxiety.
Today, I recognize that this uncertainty is one of life’s greatest gifts: No one can precisely tell you or me why we are here, which opens the door for us to discover that purpose ourselves—if we choose to pursue it.
Most of us have arrived at our current situations by adhering to societal expectations, obeying the rules laid out before us.
In doing so, we likely forfeited vital aspects of our identities—aspects we may miss, even if we’re not aware of it yet.
The silver lining? You can begin rediscovering those lost pieces immediately by carving out time for learning something new.
30 Minutes for Growth
Devoting just 30 minutes daily to learn something fresh has been transformative for my mental health, honed my abilities, and most crucially, assisted me in reconnecting with my true self.
Here’s how you can embark on a similar journey:
Step 1: Determine Your Optimal Time
Identify the part of the day when you are most alert, focused, and ready to learn.
- For many, this peak time occurs an hour or two after they wake up.
- Others might find their energy peaks right after lunch.
- Take a few weeks to observe your own rhythm. Keep a journal to track your energy spikes. Your optimal time will eventually become clear.
Step 2: Set Aside 30 Minutes for Learning
Once you pinpoint your best learning time:
- Allocate 30 minutes on your calendar each day.
- Schedule for only a week at a time to maintain flexibility for unforeseen events.
- Establish a consistent meeting with yourself, just as you would for a top-tier client or initiative.
Step 3: Commit & Safeguard Your Time
This part can be challenging.
- Commit to showing up daily (at least three times a week minimum).
- Avoid allowing distractions to derail your learning sessions.
- Don’t let holidays or busy times serve as an excuse.
- Use this time solely for genuine learning—no emails or texts.
Instead, immerse yourself in meaningful pursuits: robotics, design, mindfulness, coding, creativity—whatever resonates with you. Follow your intuition.
Step 4: Reflect & Adapt
As Annie Dillard aptly expressed, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
By prioritizing your growth and learning daily, you’re investing in yourself, which will yield rewards for you, your career, and society as a whole.
After all, if we’ve left parts of ourselves behind throughout our journey, it’s no wonder that life feels less fulfilling than it could be.
The choice is yours. Are you prepared to recover those lost pieces?
Sean McMann was recruited right out of college to work at one of the largest data firms and embarked on an eight-year journey from fresh graduate to consulting director. Having seen behind the scenes of numerous major corporations, he realized the system was flawed and chose to leave at the pinnacle of his career—when he was working the least but earning the most he ever had. He risked everything, including his finances, reputation, and time, on aiming to revolutionize the corporate landscape. He shares his experiences in his book, Hacking the Corporate Jungle: How to Work Less, Make More and Actually Like Your Life. When he isn’t writing, researching, or speaking, McMann enjoys cycling, visiting art museums, snowboarding, and spending time with his two young sons. Discover more at seanmcmann.com.
