Freedom Over Hustle: How to Build Success on Your Terms

There’s a myth in the entrepreneurial world that says the more you work, the more success you’ll have. But what if you lose everything, from freedom to family, in order to win?

Imagine working, traveling, and hustling 80 hours or more a week, accruing a fortune you can barely enjoy, and missing out on the connections that enrich your life. Would that explain why 63% of entrepreneurs reported burnout?

There is, however, good news. You can rewrite the script. In order to succeed, you do not have to play a zero-sum game. And, even better, you don’t have to sacrifice your family, health, or freedom to build a successful business.

Charles Schwartz embodies this philosophy. Having defied “hustle culture”, Charles is a wealth-hacking consultant, speaker, and investor. After retiring at 36, he became a millionaire at 37 and lectured at Yale at 38. In addition to financial success, he describes how he prioritizes what matters and lives life to its fullest.

Through his Persona Shifting Workshops, Charles helps entrepreneurs identify and overcome the limiting beliefs holding them back. In the pages of his book, Who Changes Everything, he reveals the tools that propelled him to success, motivating countless others to succeed as well.

Charles is not only committed to building businesses; he is committed to building lives. Despite his wealth, he’s passionate about helping others reach their full potential.

Intrigued? Let’s explore how to build a life of success and freedom on your terms and break free from the hustle myth as we dive deeper into his strategies.

From Humble Beginnings to Early Hustle

Chris grew up in a low-income family. However, he admits that he did not have the best grades, was lazy, or was popular at school, but he still had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age.

When he was 13 or 14, he started his first “business,” which was a lawn care business. He undercut his competition by paying his friends less. Basically, he would charge $10, pay his friend $7, and pocket $3.

Working in Hospice and a Life-Changing Lesson

While working in hospice, his view of life changed dramatically. He realized the value of time and living a fulfilling life after witnessing people die.

As Chris showed his grandfather where I was working at hospice, he almost teared up. “Promise me you’ll never work for anyone else.” he requested Chris.

According to Chris, that changed his life fundamentally. “I promised him. I didn’t know what it meant.” Chris went on to say “I didn’t realize that I truly was an entrepreneur to my core because I just don’t like working for other people and I love my time. I wanted to buy my time back on a high level, but that’s kind of the very broad overview of it.”

Building and Selling a Successful IT Business

As an entrepreneur, Chris’s first major success was an IT company he built from scratch. His success can be attributed to the knowledge he gained from his clients who were also business owners. In his observation, many of them were financially successful without working extremely hard.

This challenged Chris’ belief that the only way to succeed is to work hard. More specifically, he became curious about passive income as he observed entrepreneurs earning it while sleeping.

Retirement at 36 and the X-Y-Z Formula

As mentioned previously, Chris’ grandfather played a pivotal role in his retirement decision. Besides retiring 50, his grandfather taught him the X-Y-Z formula, which defines financial freedom as:

• X = How much you make
• Y = What it costs to pay someone else to do your job
• Z = What’s left over (enough to live on comfortably)

Between his past experiences and his grandfather’s retirement formula, Chris cracked the code on building wealth and living life on your own terms.

Decoding Success: Lessons from Mentors and the Pursuit of True Wealth

Ever felt lost in success’s labyrinth?  Struggling to achieve goals without a clear vision? You’re not alone. Fortunately, according to Chris, success leaves clues.

Here are a few key tips for defining success on your own terms:

• Learn from the masters, instead of just copying them. Mentorship is essential, according to Charles. However, don’t blindly follow others’ paths. Rather than trying to figure things out by yourself, seek guidance from those who have gone before you. With their wisdom, you can find your north star Don’t forget that success isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey
• Don’t just focus on your paycheck, find your purpose. As Charles tells the story of his grandfather and the Mexican fisherman, he is reminded of a powerful lesson. A person’s real wealth isn’t measured by how much money they have; it’s about aligning their goals with what truly nourishes them. Embrace what matters most, because time – once spent – can never be reclaimed.
• There is no greater wealth than time. Based on the concept of true wealth, Charles explores the dangers of chasing a financial windfall without a plan. Based on his own experience of burnout, Charles shares how cash flow takes precedence over accumulation. Freedom is the true prize, not riches.
• Creating true wealth and cash flow beyond the windfall. A mistake Chris made after his first significant exit was prioritizing riches over wealth creation. Instead of building sustainable cash flow, he focused on acquiring businesses and coaching. By building true wealth through real estate and passive income streams, he has learned the importance of creating passive income streams.

We can all learn from the experiences of those who went before us as we navigate the complexities of life. Our success can be redefined on our own terms by deciphering the hints left by successful mentors. It is this path, driven by passion and anchored in true wealth, that leads to true fulfillment.

Ditch the Myths: Priming Yourself for Real Success

When it comes to chasing success, we can feel overwhelmed by bad advice. In this one-size-fits-all world, we often feel lost and frustrated. Wouldn’t achievement be easier if the key wasn’t some elusive “how” or a fairytale “why”? Instead, focus on what matters most: you.

• Forget the playbook. From “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” lists to inspirational YouTube channels, we’re inundated with information online. It’s tempting to think that success is only a matter of following the right steps. However, there is no magic formula. You might not find what works for one person to work for you, and the landscape is constantly changing.
• Passion has limits. Have you ever heard the saying “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”? It sounds great, but passions can fizzle out. In other words, what ignites a spark today might bore us tomorrow. It takes more than chasing fleeting passions to succeed.
• “Why” isn’t enough. We’re told to find our “why,” that deep purpose that drives us forward. Chris, however, sees things differently. On their deathbeds, many people can clearly articulate their “why,” yet they never achieved their goals. It’s a good start to find your “why,” but it’s just the beginning.

The “who” factor. What’s really important is who you surround yourself with for success. Although mentors are important, this goes beyond them. You need to consider all of the characters in your life – your family, friends, and colleagues. After all, the people you spend time with determine your experiences and outlook on life. Creating a powerful network of authentic, empathetic people who challenge and support you is key to your success.

The Power of Real Connections

Chris emphasizes the importance of creating genuine connections. Our growth is accelerated when we surround ourselves with authentic people who share our values.

The foundation of a successful and fulfilling life is real connections fueled by empathy and mutual understanding. Rather than focusing on generic advice, start building a “who” around you that matters. It’s that path that leads to true success.

Conclusion

Anyone seeking financial independence and the freedom to live life on their own terms can take inspiration from Charles Schwartz’s story. To create sustainable cash flow, he emphasizes challenges conventional wisdom, finding mentors, building systems, and prioritizing time.

As a result of overcoming limiting beliefs and making strategic financial decisions, Charles has built a life of fulfillment and freedom.

Featured Image Credit: Canva Studio, Pexels; Thank You!