I’ve had the incredible opportunity over the last few weeks to reflect—to take time to slow down. Something I haven't truly done in years.

I’ll admit, the first week was hard. I felt guilty, like I was wasting time when I should be doing something. I caught myself searching for tasks to fill the empty space, for some proof of productivity to justify my existence. But then I started thinking about life and, more specifically, about what a perfect day would look like.

It’s funny—I coach my girlfriends on this all the time. We have our weekly “TED Talks” where we remind each other that we are in control of our own lives. That we have the power to design them any way we want, as long as we set the right boundaries. I always ask them, What does the perfect day look like to you?

So I decided to ask myself the same thing.

What does the perfect day look and feel like?

I know I’m not like most people. I have this deep, innate desire to be more and do more. I thrive when I’m moving toward something. So, while there’s definitely room for the occasional lay in bed and rot day (I think that’s what we’re calling it these days), my perfect day wouldn’t be about stillness—it would be about intentionality.

For me, the perfect day would start with a slow morning, drinking coffee with my husband. No rushing, no scrambling out the door, just presence. I’d take a moment for active gratitude, setting intentions for my day before the world pulls me in different directions. There would be movement—maybe a run or a Pilates session. I’d make time to read; I always have both a fiction and a non-fiction book on my nightstand. Learning fuels me.

There would be work, but not the soul-crushing, back-to-back, run-myself-into-the-ground kind. I’d have a few meaningful meetings. I’d write. I’d create.

And then, I’d make sure to do something around the house—something small that makes me feel productive and grounded in my space. The day would end with a home-cooked meal shared with my family, followed by downtime, maybe watching a movie together.

It’s simple. But it’s mine.

The Currency of Time

Time is the only currency we can’t earn back.

We spend our days budgeting our money, investing in our careers, saving for the future. But how often do we think about how we’re spending our time?

We treat time like it’s infinite—like we’ll always have more later. More time to take care of ourselves. More time to travel. More time to be present with our families.

But the hard truth is, we don’t get refunds on the time we waste chasing things that don’t actually fulfill us. There is no reimbursement for the late nights spent working instead of being with loved ones. No return policy on the years we spend hustling without stopping to ask why.

I used to spend my time like someone who thought they had an endless supply.

I traded my hours for productivity, believing that busyness equaled worth. I spent years over-drafting my time account, assuming I could make up for it later.

But there’s no making up for lost time. There’s only recognizing where we are right now and choosing to invest differently moving forward.

So, if time is the most valuable currency we have, shouldn’t we be spending it on what truly matters?

Rewriting the Definition of Success

For years, I thought success was something I had to earn. A title. A salary. A level of exhaustion that proved I had worked hard enough.

But what I’ve come to realize over the past few years is that success, for me, isn’t about titles or accolades. Success is about how we make others feel.

It’s about the relationships we build, the trust we foster, and the impact we leave on people’s lives. I’ve climbed the ladder, held the titles, sat at the tables I once dreamed of—but when I look back, the things that mattered most weren’t my accomplishments.

It was the team I led. The people I worked alongside. The moments of mentorship and growth—where I learned just as much from them as they did from me.

Some of my best friends were once colleagues. People who started as work connections but became family. That’s what real success looks like to me now—building relationships that last beyond a job title. Leaving people better than I found them.

But there’s one more piece to this realization—alignment.

Because true success isn’t just about impact. It’s about how aligned we feel while making that impact.

I’ve come to understand that if I have to sacrifice my well-being, my values, or my personal life to achieve something, then it isn’t success at all.

Success isn’t just about the what—it’s about the how. How we show up. How we balance ambition with presence. How we give to others without depleting ourselves.

So now, I define success as:

Feeling aligned in what I do, not just accomplished. If something constantly drains me, it’s not meant for me.
Building a life where my time is spent intentionally. Not just filling the calendar, but making space for what truly matters.
Leaving a lasting impact, but in a way that feels good to me. Not all success feels good, and that’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way.
Recognizing that my worth isn’t tied to my productivity. My value doesn’t come from how many hours I work or how much I produce—it comes from how I show up in the world.

I’m still figuring it out, and I know my definition of success will evolve as I do. But for now, I know this: If time is my most valuable currency, I want to invest it wisely.

So I’ll ask you what I asked myself:

What does your perfect day look like?

And if your days don’t reflect the life you truly want, maybe it’s time to start spending your time differently.

I’m rooting for you,
With love and encouragement,
Beth

Join us in the comments below! Share your experiences with gratitude, or try this simple exercise today: Take a moment to appreciate something you usually take for granted. Notice how it makes you feel.