How to balance Now vs Later with the L.E.A.D. framework

In our relentless pursuit of success, we’ve been conditioned to believe that setting goals is the key to unlocking our desired future. Countless frameworks and methodologies promise to guide us along this path, urging us to chart our course towards distant milestones.

Yet, we often overlook a critical aspect of our journey: the present moment, also known as Today.

It’s all too easy to become ensnared in the allure of tomorrow, sacrificing the joys of today at the altar of our aspirations. This fixation on the future can lead us down a perilous path, where each day becomes a mere stepping stone towards an uncertain destination.

It reminds me of a story about Warren Buffet: At an event where he was a panelist, a Harvard Business School student was eager to impress with his list of accomplished jobs and future plans to join a prestigious management consulting firm.

When Warren Buffett asks him if this is truly what he wants, the student admits it’s more about enhancing his resume.

Buffett’s response is both candid and profound: “Doing jobs to build your resume is like saving up sex for old age.”

While the authenticity of this exchange is debatable, the essence of the message rings true: Life is meant to be lived fully, not just about preparing for some distant future.

It serves as a gentle reminder to cherish the present, to find fulfillment in the daily work, and to craft a life where momenta are infused with purpose and joy as much as possible. This is maybe even more so for those that choose self-employment as a way to walk their own path.

So, as we seek and find personal fulfillment and professional success, keep Buffett’s wisdom in mind and strive to strike a balance between your future ambitions and the simple pleasures of today.

Note to self

Reflecting on this wisdom, I’ve encountered similar sentiments in my own journey as an entrepreneur. This journey has been both deeply fulfilling, eye-opening and extremely challenging.

Despite the challenges and occassional naysayers reminding me of the difficulties, I’ve found profound fulfillment in every step of the process.

At the same time I ebb and flow between intense bouts of focus and determination and moments wondering why I thought this was a good idea.

In the pursuit of entrepreneurial dreams, it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of future success. However, it’s essential to find joy in the daily grind, amidst the challenges and uncertainties.

Personally, I think I am not always great at finding joy in the present, if I don’t have a method or a system to help me find it.

That’s why I’ve developed a simple yet effective framework, called L.E.A.D.

I use it to help me find balance between big ambitions for the future, and being present.
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Here’s how it works:

When to use L.E.A.D.?

This framework is essentially a simple, guided reflection exercise. It can be done in many different ways, but I use it in one of these 2 situations:

1 – As part of a planned review process. At the end of each month for example. I call this “vitamin mode”.

2 – Whenever I feel friction or don’t enjoy what or how I am doing things. It helps to clear the fog of what’s going on and zoom in on what’s causing my discontent. I call this “aspirin mode”.

How to use L.E.A.D.?

I go through my recent calendar to see what I have worked on. This can also be your todo-app. If you are a creator, you can also go back through the work you have put out recently.

Then for each task, appointment, milestone or deadline I determine how they felt to me, this where the L.E.A.D. acronym comes in. I mark each item with one of the letters:

L is for Love

Identify tasks that genuinely bring you joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s crafting a blog post or connecting with clients, these activities fuel your passion.

Mark these items with an L

E is for Enjoy

Embrace the tasks that may not evoke the same level of excitement but are necessary for progress. Finding moments of enjoyment in these endeavors is key to maintaining balance.

Mark these items with an E.

A is for Accept

Acknowledge the tasks that you may not relish but are essential for business growth. By accepting these responsibilities, you can approach them with a sense of pragmatism and purpose.

Mark these items with an A.

D is for Detest

Finally, recognize the tasks that drain your energy and enthusiasm. While unavoidable at times, understanding these aspects allows you to mitigate their impact and seek alternatives where possible.

Mark these items with an D.

Keeping score

When you’ve gone through all items, see how many tasks or activities you have marked for each letter. This gives you an overall look at the stuff you’re doing.
To dive in deeper, have a look at the tasks you assigned to each letter and look for common threads between the items. This helps unravel the deeper reasons why you love or detest certain things.

Finally, by doing this somewhat regularly, you’ll start to see patterns over time that you can use to course correct. While a one-time review is helpful, it is also a single moment in time. Many more factors and variables may influence the way you judge the items you are reviewing.

By incorporating L.E.A.D into your regular routine, you can cultivate a deeper understanding of your work preferences and optimize your workflow accordingly.
You don’t have to be self-employed to benefit from this framework. Use it to analyse what parts of your job, hobbies or relationships you enjoy and what you don’t.

Moreover, prioritizing actions, decisions and tasks based on your affinity can significantly impact your overall well-being. While there will inevitably be days filled with daunting challenges, balancing them with moments of joy and relaxation is essential for sustained success and enjoyment.

Ultimately, the essence of walking your own path, as well as in solopreneurship, lies not only in achieving future goals but also in finding fulfillment and joy in the journey itself.

Embrace each step, learn from every experience, and savor the richness of the present moment.

As we navigate the intricacies of walking our own path, let’s remember Warren Buffett’s timeless advice: Life is meant to be lived, not merely about preparing for a possible future.

So, let’s embrace the journey today while working towards a desired future.
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I’m rooting for you! 🙌
Arno