The Lucrative Life Newsletter #2 - All About Time

All About Time

Written by Dean Louis

Everything changed for me on August 5, 2021. That was when my first child, Nora, was born, the day my life fundamentally shifted.

Welcoming your first child comes with an abundance of changes. It feels like the second version of your life begins. Sleep becomes infrequent, patience is needed but often in short supply, and you quickly realize that, for a while, you’ll be playing second place.

But of all the changes that came with fatherhood, one has stuck with me the most: my relationship with time. More specifically, my awareness of how quickly it passes.

Now, as a father of a 3.5-year-old and a 1.5-year-old, I feel this more than ever. I’m hyper-aware of how fast time is slipping by and how much I’ll long for these moments once they’re gone.

For example, today is March 3, 2025. It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year and laying out our goals for 2025. Yet, three months have flown by in the blink of an eye. We often joke about how fast a week passes, let alone an entire month.

Time has become one of the most valuable assets in my life. Yet, most of us fail to truly appreciate it until much of it has already passed us by.

Today’s newsletter will walk you through a few perspectives on time that I carry with me, perspectives that, hopefully, will give you a new appreciation for our most valuable asset.

Trading Tomorrow for $10,000,000

There’s a popular video floating around social media where someone is asked if they would be happy to receive $10,000,000 in cash.

Obviously, they’re ecstatic.

The catch is, if they accept the money, they will not wake up the next morning.

Without hesitation, the individual turns it down.

They are not willing to pass up the rest of their life for one day with $10,000,000.

This moment perfectly illustrates just how valuable your time is. No amount of money would make you willingly give up tomorrow.

So then, why are you spending so much of your life basing decisions on money, rather than making decisions based on how you want to enjoy your life?

Swapping Lives with a Billionaire

People often talk about Warren Buffett and his vast fortune. But would you trade lives with him today?

Absolutely not.

Buffett is in his mid-90s. Despite his ~$100 billion net worth, he has no way to buy more time.

You, on the other hand, still have your entire life ahead of you.

Money can solve a lot of problems, but it will never be able to buy back lost time.

Feeling Guilty Yet?

Reading this, you might be feeling a little guilty—knowing that you, like most of us, sometimes waste time.

We all say things like “I’ll start tomorrow” or distract ourselves with things that don’t matter, pulling us away from what’s truly important: family, friends, goals, and experiences.

Here are a few examples from my life (and probably yours too):

• Doomscrolling social media while ignoring loved ones.
• Binge-watching Netflix instead of working on your goals.
• Recording a live concert or sports event instead of experiencing the moment.

It stings a little, right? We all do it. The important thing is that, for most of us, it’s not too late to change.

Remember Death

My wife tells me that this kind of thinking is morbid, and she’s not wrong. But remembering that we’re going to die can be an incredible tool for living.

Memento Mori, a Stoic philosophy from the Roman Empire, translates to “remember you must die.”

This phrase is a constant reminder to be present.

When I’m with my kids and they’re throwing toys, screaming, and testing my patience, this thought creeps into my mind. Even when they’re misbehaving, I’d rather be with them in that moment than not to be with them.

Sure, the idea of death can be unsettling. But the perspective it gives you on life is invaluable.

Time in Weeks

There’s a visual tool that tracks the weeks of life from birth to age 90. It’s a simple grid, but seeing it filled in can be shocking.

Here’s what my calendar looks like today:

Seeing this laid out the first time made me pause in place. I think like many others you don't feel the age you are, and think you have much more time than we do.

I plan on being here for a lot longer, to watch my kids grow up, achieve the goals I have set in place, and to grow old with my spouse. I can see that a substantial amount of my life has already been spent, which is an amazing reminder to cherish every day.

I want to make the most of the weeks I have left. And I hope you do too.

In Closing

I have two small asks for you:

1. Write down 1-5 things you love to do. Stick the list somewhere you’ll see it daily so you’re reminded to prioritize those things.
2. Reflect on how you use your time.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

• What are your reactions to this piece?
• Did this encourage you to think differently about time?

Send me a reply at [email protected] or message me on X (@Dean__Louis)—I’ll do my best to respond to everyone!