Time, Success, and the Real Definition of Wealth
Happy Monday!
I recently attended a powerful real estate investment conference, and while the event was packed with insights and strategy, one moment in particular really stood out—and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
A speaker stood in front of the room and asked a question that silenced the crowd:
“If you only had seven more days to live your life, how would you spend them?”
It wasn’t a throwaway question. It hit deep. And it got me thinking—not just about business, but about life, priorities, and what we’re really chasing.
So now I’m sharing it with you, because it deserves your full attention.
If you only had one week left:
Who would you spend time with?
What would feel important?
What would you stop doing?
What would you finally start?
The speaker went on to say that whatever your answer is—that’s your personal definition of success. That’s your true “why.” And whether you’re aware of it or not, that’s what you’re working toward every single day.
Redefining Success on Your Own Terms
We hear the word success tossed around all the time.
For some, it’s a dollar amount. For others, it’s a lifestyle. For many, it’s flexibility, freedom, legacy, or impact.
But most people don’t slow down long enough to define it for themselves.
So they get caught chasing someone else’s dream—someone else’s version of success. And then they wonder why, even after hitting the “big number” or buying the car or hitting the goal, they still feel empty.
When you define success by what actually matters to you—not what sounds good, not what looks good online, but what feels true to your core—everything shifts.
You stop chasing for the sake of chasing.
You start building a life and a business that aligns with what you really care about.
And you stop wasting time.
Time Is the Most Precious Asset You Own
Let’s talk about time.
We treat it like we have an unlimited supply of it. But we don’t.
Unlike money, time doesn’t replenish. You can’t earn more of it. Once it’s spent, it’s gone.
And in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, sales, and leadership, it’s easy to lose track of that. We say “yes” to everything. We people-please. We take calls that drain us. We stay in rooms we’ve outgrown. We bury ourselves in busy work that doesn’t move the needle.
But every time you say “yes” to something misaligned, you’re saying “no” to something important.
Something that might be tied to your why. Your family. Your health. Your dreams. Your peace.
So here’s a challenge:
Start treating your time like it’s sacred—because it is.
Protect it like your success depends on it.
Because it does.
Your Schedule Should Reflect Your Future
Want to know where your life is headed?
Take a look at your calendar.
Your schedule reveals your priorities—whether you’re aware of it or not.
Are you spending time nurturing your relationships?
Are you prioritizing income-producing activities?
Are you making space for creativity, rest, and growth?
Or are you stuck in a cycle of reacting, putting out fires, and saying “I’ll do it later”?
Look—no one’s perfect. We all have chaotic seasons. We all have days where things fall apart.
But over time, your calendar either becomes your greatest tool for progress—or your biggest barrier to it.
So take 10 minutes this week to do a calendar audit:
What’s draining your energy?
What’s no longer serving you?
What needs to be added, removed, or rescheduled?
Don’t wait for a slower season to get intentional. Do it now. Future you will thank you.
The World Is Full of Contradictions—Choose Yours Wisely
One of the best (and most hilariously accurate) quotes I heard at the event was this:
“The world is full of overeducated broke people. And equally full of massively rich dipsh*ts.”
Crude? A little.
True? 100%.
Here’s the thing: knowledge is important. Learning matters. But it’s not the end-all-be-all.
There are people with PhDs in financial theory who can’t pay their rent.
And there are people who barely finished high school building seven-figure empires.
Why? Because execution > information.
Because decisiveness, courage, risk-taking, and resilience beat perfectionism and over-analysis every time.
Now, I’m not saying you should throw strategy out the window. But I am saying this:
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start.
You don’t need to know every answer before taking action.
You just need to move. To try. To fail forward. To do.
So yeah—I’d rather be a “massively rich dipsh*t” than a broke genius who never bet on themselves.
And I say that with love. Because we all know which one gets further.
Your Life Isn’t on Hold—It’s Happening Now
There’s this lie we tell ourselves:
“I’ll start once I have more time.”
“I’ll launch when things calm down.”
“I’ll slow down and enjoy life after I hit that next goal.”
But here’s the thing—life isn’t waiting for you to catch up.
This isn’t the pregame. This is the game.
And you’re already on the field.
So the question isn’t when you’ll start chasing the life you actually want. The question is—why not now?
You’ve already got everything you need:
A vision
A story
A purpose
A brain, a heart, and a voice
And, if you’re reading this, at least a few people who believe in you
Use that.
Your Weekly Challenge: Reconnect With Your Why
Let’s turn this into action with a quick challenge:
Answer the 7-day question.
If you only had 7 days left to live, how would you spend them?
Write it out. No filtering. Be honest. That’s your definition of success.Audit your time.
Pull up your calendar and evaluate:Where are you overcommitting?
What’s draining you?
What’s missing?
Remove what’s unnecessary. Add what’s meaningful.
Protect your energy.
Choose one thing this week that’s for you—not your clients, not your team, not your obligations. You. Schedule it, and treat it as non-negotiable.Take imperfect action.
Stop overthinking. Start moving. Record the video. Launch the offer. Make the call. Send the email. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it has to be done.Say yes to aligned opportunities—even if they scare you.
Growth lives on the edge of your comfort zone. Say yes more often than you say “maybe later.”
You Get to Choose
Every day, you’re choosing how you spend your time, where you place your energy, and what kind of life and business you’re building.
And the most empowering truth is this: you get to choose differently—starting today.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need to decide that your life matters enough to build it intentionally.
So this week, remember:
Define what success means to you
Treat your time like the sacred asset it is
Take messy action
And never be afraid to chase the life that actually excites you
Let’s go all-in on our time, our values, and our vision.
This is your week—make it count.
-AD
