I started writing yesterday’s email at 9.47pm on Sunday.

I was sitting at my kitchen table.  

It was pitch black outside.  There was a single light on, shining from overhead.

Just me and my laptop.

(and Tinky Winky, Dipsy, LaLa and Po, the four fish)

I was typing away.  In the zone.  Focussed on getting the job done.

And as I was typing, I realised this was exactly what life was like when I was employed.

On my own, late in the evening, working at my laptop.  With four fish for company.

I started thinking.

How would I be feeling if I was still employed?  And writing work emails instead of writing a daily email?

Working late at night in my old job was common.  So it didn’t take long to suss out.

I’d be miserable.

I’d be looking at my to-do list thinking “how much more work do I have?”…

Or “how long until I can crash out in front of the TV?”.

But this Sunday was different.

I was excited.  Energised.  Even though it was late, I was enjoying writing the email.

I was thinking about what to write next and how much fun it would be to keep writing.

Watching TV didn’t cross my mind.  Nor did the Sunday dread.

Despite the almost identical situation of writing emails late in the evening…

…how it FELT was completely different.

And there are a few reasons why.

I wasn’t drafting a transaction update or writing about a financial model.

So I didn’t need to think “what must I write” or “how should I write”. 

Instead I wrote what I wanted and I could have fun with it.

And this is the same every time I write a daily email. 

I can write about chess or magic or vacuuming.  Or whatever else I want.

Put simply - I can be myself. 

Very different to work emails.

And the thing about work emails was they always led to more work.  Work which felt pointless.

But these emails are different.

Writing emails now is building a business and giving you a tip or two.

In other words – doing something which has a point.

And even though I’m writing emails late in the evening…

It’s a choice I’m making.

Unlike work, where I didn’t have a choice.  I just had deadlines.

So yeh…

These are the main differences. 

It comes down to creativity, growth and choice.  This is what my daily emails give me which my work emails did not.

And it’s not surprising I feel like I do.

Because creativity, growth and choice are values of mine. 

And when I’m living my values, I feel more alive.

You see, our values are what guide us to live a more fulfilled and happier life.

But when our values are missing, life isn’t as fun or balanced. 

And I can feel it.  I can feel the difference between my old job and today.

So whenever things are off-kilter, I try to think “how am I honouring my values right now?”…

Because that usually holds the answer.

Something to bear in mind perhaps.

Anyway, it’s time to bring this to a close.

I’m going to feed the fish and go for a run.

Catch you tomorrow.

- Tom

p.s. Whenever you're ready, here are the ways you can connect with me