Choosing Family First Over the Golden Handcuffs in Business
Last week, I found myself in a place I never expected on a workday, Princeton University. My daughter’s Rutgers soccer team was playing there, and I wasn’t about to miss it, despite the six-hour flight. The best part? She had no idea I was coming.
Here’s the backstory. When I started 40 Strategy six years ago, I had an offer to launch a global consulting firm. It promised big opportunities, travel, and money. But it came with golden handcuffs, time away from my four kids during their high school and college sports years. I chose differently. I wanted a life where I could be present for the things that mattered most: faith, family, and the moments you don’t get back.
According to a study in Psychology Today, “People who are dying have a lot to teach the living about regrets that may be avoidable or fixable.”
That Choice Led Me Here.
On this day, I had eight meetings lined up, including podcasts and board prep. Instead, I rearranged my schedule, hopped on a plane, and made it to New Jersey in time for the game. I was able to still record podcasts in the hotel room, make the Teams board meeting, and still get my work done. But I also get to be in the stands when my daughter looks up and sees me. That’s priceless.
On Friday evening after the game, I was able to tour the incredible campus at Princeton and enjoy dinner there. Over the weekend, I was able to see my beloved Red Sox beat arch-rival New York Yankees with my wife. On Sunday, I was able to see a 2nd game at Rutgers. On Monday, I worked all-day and the whole flight back. It was a great, memorable trip.
Stop Living for Someday
Too often we delay living until “someday,” when the market stabilizes, when the nest egg is big enough, when retirement finally comes. But life is fragile. A downturn, an illness, or an unexpected tragedy can erase those carefully built plans. I’ve seen it happen. What you can’t get back are the games you skipped, the family dinners you missed, the chances to show up when your presence meant the most.
The truth is, love is spelled t-i-m-e. And as business leaders, parents, or entrepreneurs, we have to remind ourselves: there will always be another meeting. There won’t always be another game.
So, here’s my encouragement for you this Saturday:
Build with purpose. Don’t just chase money, design a life you actually want to live.
Be courageous enough to choose flexibility over the golden handcuffs.
Work hard, yes. But don’t wait until “someday” to live.
Because the dream isn’t just about success. It’s about presence. And sometimes, the most strategic decision you can make is to show up.
If you need this type of balance and a real action plan to get it done. I invite you to join me with only 40 business owners or seeking an extraordinary 2026. We start Nov 3rd & 4th in Phoenix at The 40 Strategy Growth Workshop.
(Scott Ballard)
40 Strategy Growth Workshop - Location: Phoenix,AZ on Nov 3rd & 4th
New Speaker Announcement - Scott Ballard
Scott Ballard's secret weapon is the patient execution of leading people to what every
person knows they should be doing. Scott is the answer to the person that has already
experienced success and feels like an imposter, they feel lonely, and are honestly afraid
because they don't know their own God-given identity.
Scott serves and acts as a trusted advisor to leaders, business owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs who are living a life outside their true identity and want to live from their true identity. The cost of not living from your God-given identity is a lack of fulfillment, purpose, and peace. The people that have hired Scott to be their trusted advisor have experienced freedom, hope, contentment, purpose,
Interested in connecting with experts and high achievers like yourself?
Reply or email kyle.pfeiffer@40accounting.com
Breaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act - One Week at a Time
Tax Tip of the Week
Travel Tip for Business (and don’t miss opportunities)
I recently read from a tax book and confirmed the tax knowledge about best practices for business travel. Plan your travel for a business event on a Friday and following Monday. Work four hours on that Friday and Monday to qualify as a business day. The weekend requires business expenses to make your meetings; but the IRS does not expect you to work on the weekend.
Bonus, plan that business trip to a place where you want to be and enjoy the weekend. Document, document, document. And if you do things by the book, you can turn that into a valuable business deduction.
-Wake up 5AM during the weekdays (intentionally slept till 5:30 after intense day)
- Started walks up to 30 minutes through Friday (best 50-minute sunset walk on Seal Beach, CA and counting 30 min walk in airport at PDX)
- 8 thank you notes total - ouch
- No carbs till noon (not as good)
- Bonus: Tracking at 330 push-ups today (been increasing starting at 1 per day since last December)
