Stop Putting Your Joy on Layaway: A Wake-Up Call for High Achievers
Have you noticed that the Holiday shopping season starts earlier and earlier? This got me thinking about layaway plans; the options for consumers to purchase gifts in installments and pick them up later. It’s a thoughtful solution for many families, bridging the gap between their aspirations and their current means. But here’s the thing: layaway is a system meant for buying presents, not for living your life.
Too many high achievers—entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers—treat their lives like a layaway plan. They believe someday will come when they’ve “earned” joy, rest, or meaningful relationships. They work tirelessly, promising themselves that when they reach that next milestone—whether it’s a revenue goal, a promotion, or another notch on their success belt—they’ll finally deserve happiness.
But here’s the hard truth: someday never comes.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
This mindset isn’t about strategy; it’s about fear.
Fear of slowing down. Fear of being seen as less than. Fear of feeling undeserving.
And so, we make up stories:
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- “Once I hit six figures, I’ll finally take that vacation.”
- “I’ll focus on my relationships when things settle down.”
- “Sacrificing now is just what it takes to succeed.”
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These stories are comforting because they give us permission to avoid the deeper, scarier work: acknowledging that our worth isn’t tied to our achievements. The more we delay joy, the more we buy into the belief that we’re not enough.
The Cost of Waiting
Imagine if the families using holiday layaway never returned for their gifts. The presents would sit in the backroom, unclaimed, collecting dust. For high achievers, the “presents” we lay away are our relationships, health, and happiness. And with every delay, we risk losing them altogether.
What’s the point of building a life you can’t enjoy? Who are you becoming in the process? And what’s the real cost of holding off joy until some arbitrary future date?
A Different Approach
What if you flipped the script? What if, instead of delaying joy, you front-loaded it?
Here’s a challenge:
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- Identify Your “Someday” Joys: Write down three things you’ve been putting off in the name of hard work. Is it a weekend getaway with your family? A daily workout? Time to read a book just because you love it?
- Schedule One Joy Now: Pick one of those joys and take a concrete step today. Book the weekend. Lace up your sneakers. Set aside 30 minutes for that book. Treat your joy like the non-negotiable priority it is.
- Redefine Success: Instead of seeing success as something that justifies joy, try seeing joy as a driver of success. The energy you bring to your work, relationships, and life improves when you’re already fulfilled, not waiting for fulfillment.
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You Deserve the Present
The holidays are a time of giving, receiving, and celebrating. Don’t let this season pass while you stash your joy in the backroom, waiting for the perfect moment to open it.
High achievers don’t need to prove their worth through sacrifice. They lead by claiming the gift of the present moment. Because joy isn’t just something you earn; it’s something you choose.
So, what are you waiting for?
Stop putting your life on layaway. Your joy is ready for pickup.
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