You blinked… and the year was gone.

You meant to have more date nights with your spouse.
You wanted to make it to every one of the kids’ games, recitals, or robotics tournaments.
You swore you’d eat cleaner, hit the gym, and maybe even try that yoga class.

But here we are—another year passed, another well-intentioned list gathering dust in your Notes app.
You update it again. This year will be different, you tell yourself.

And then... life happens. Again.

Here’s a little not-so-secret secret:

No one’s getting out of this life alive.

Morbid? Maybe. Motivating? Absolutely.

Because one day, you’re going to look back. And when you do, you won’t say:

“I wish I’d worked longer hours.”
“I wish I had missed more dinners with my family.”
“I wish I had ignored my dreams just a little bit more.”

No. You’re going to think about the memories made, the people loved, and the passions pursued—or ignored.

Which brings us to:

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Rule #13: Have at least one passion outside the workplace that you pursue daily.

This isn’t about quitting your job and running off to Bali with a ukulele (unless that’s your thing).
It’s about protecting part of your day—every day—for something that fuels you.

A walk in nature.
Photography.
Woodworking.
Reading.
Playing the guitar (or learning it—badly).
Volunteering.
Baking banana bread.
Shooting hoops in the driveway with your kid.
Journaling.
Painting miniatures.
Dancing like no one’s watching (and preferably, no one is).

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Now, full disclosure:
When it comes to music, I’m... let’s just say, not gifted. I was the kid they wouldn't even let pretend to play the triangle.

But I’ve always been blown away by musicians who can use their craft to say the things we struggle to put into words.

One song that hits especially hard when it comes to work-life balance?

“Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin

If you’ve heard it, you know.

If you haven’t... buckle up.

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ACTION ITEM 13:

Head over to YouTube and listen to “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
Now open your calendar.
Block out time every single day for your passion—whatever it may be.

This is non-negotiable. Treat it like an appointment with your future self—the one who will thank you for not postponing joy, not skipping connection, not waiting for “someday.”

Because here’s the truth: Someday isn’t on the calendar.

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Make your passions a priority, not a postscript.

Live fully. Love deeply. And chase at least one thing that has nothing to do with your paycheck.

You deserve that.