America just celebrated the country’s birthday—the anniversary of declaring our freedom from England. As we wrap up a weekend of cookouts, family gatherings, and fireworks, I’m curious how you define freedom.
This question is bigger than the United States or any one country. It goes beyond rights guaranteed to us in the Constitution, and it’s certainly not a political question. I’m wondering what freedom means to you.
I used to think that owning my own business meant freedom. (Que the laughter from all the entrepreneurs right now).
Yes, working for yourself can free you from some of the demands of the corporate rat race. But it also creates additional responsibilities and pressures. There have been many days when our trip to town was delayed because I had to pack up an order for my online LEGO business so it could go to the post office.
Whether you’re a regular employee, part of the gig economy, or an entrepreneur, I believe productivity equals freedom.
We don’t pursue productivity so we can do more just for the sake of doing more—at least we shouldn’t. But wholistic productivity gives us the freedom to do more of the things that matter the most.
It’s the freedom to pursue a side business that brings purpose (and extra cash) to your life.
It’s the freedom of knowing that you’re caught up on that project long before the deadline.
It’s the freedom that comes from knowing others are handling things at your business so you can be truly present on your family vacation.
This is why I love teaching others about wholistic productivity. I love freeing them from the hold that toxic productivity has had on too many of us for too long. I understand the radical shift that can occur in people’s lives when the start to experience things they never thought possible before.
The inscription on the Statue of Liberty says, in part,
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
I think wholistic productivity offers freedom—albeit a different kind of freedom—to the same groups of people. If you’re tired of the constant grind, wishing there was more time (and money) at the end of the week, or if you’re longing for that breathe of fresh and free air, you’re in the right place.
My mission for the work I do through the podcast, the planner, and my coaching is to help people dream big, plan smart, and live fully. I can’t think of a better definition of freedom that that.