What Is Your "Why?"
- Nyssa Gower
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
And Why the "How" might be Burning You Out"
This holiday Season I read "Working Hard, Hardly Working" by Grace Beverley.
What is your "Why"
When clients sit down in my office, I’m rarely just looking at their tax returns. I’m looking at their story.
One of the first questions I love to ask is: "Why did you get into this in the first place?"
Most people didn't start a business or climb the career ladder because they loved the admin or the late-night emails. They did it for a vision, a passion, or a specific lifestyle. My aim is to remind them of that why.
I’ve realized that while I’m helping you plan for "one day," I also want to make sure you are living your best life now.
But then, the follow-up questions inevitably shift to the future:
When do you want to retire?Â
What does retirement even look like for you? Are you sitting on a beach somewhere with a cocktail in your hand full time? Or are you mixing it up with holidays and a little bit of what you do now, but in a less exhaustive capacity?
The Productivity Trap
I came across the cover of "Working Hard, Hardly Working" by Grace Beverley, and read the bio. How could this woman, over a decade younger than me have wisdom to share? Instantly judgemental and ageist, I scowled at myself and endeavoured to at least try reading it. It hit home. Hard. It highlights how easily we get caught up in the "day-to-day" grind, losing sight of ourselves in the process.
In our world, there’s an unspoken pressure to always be "on." We’ve been taught that if you aren't grinding, you aren't succeeding. But I see the toll that takes on your financials—and your mental and physical health, often escalating to burnout levels before you address the problem.
Learning from these younger generations
I really admire how the younger generation approaches work. Where older generations might see "lack of effort," I see sustainable boundaries. They aren't avoiding the work; they are protecting their ability to do it long-term.
By refusing to burn out, they don't need massive blocks of "recovery time" just to feel human. They are setting a new precedent that we—as business owners and professionals—should be paying attention to.
Tell me, honestly, how many times have you found that just by having a good night's sleep, you are much more productive? And if you had have just left that one thing that kept you in the office for an additional hour, you could have done it within 10 minutes the next morning?
Guilt-Free Recovery
We are bombarded by "successful" entrepreneurs telling us that watching TV, scrolling through social media, or playing video games is a "waste of time."
Grace’s perspective is a breath of fresh air: If you enjoy it, it isn't a waste. Instead of going cold turkey and feeling guilty about your downtime, she suggests setting a time limit and simply enjoying it. Guilt-free. You don’t need to count the hours "wasted" if those hours are what recharge you to go back and build that business you’re so passionate about.
My Goal for You!
I want you to love what you do as much as I love what I do. If you’re currently in a season of "doing things you don't enjoy," let’s make sure it’s a deliberate, short-term strategy to get you where you want to be—not a permanent way of life.
Your "Why" matters. Let’s make sure your "How" isn't getting in the way of it.
Question For You
On a scale of 1–10, how well are you protecting your "non-work" time right now?
If you could outsource one part of your "day-to-day" that drains your energy, what would it be? (mine is home duties...cleaning, washing, cooking - shopping is now delivered)
More information
To discuss any of the above further, you can ring our office on 4021 2801.
Outside your Circle of Control is: The Past, The Future & Other People's Happiness. Inside your Circle of Control is: How you treat yourself, How you spend your time & Your Boundaries. Take Control.