Madison didn't have the flexibility and freedom to spend her days the way she wanted. Her success only led to longer work hours, higher levels of stress, and even more demands on her time. Deep down inside, she bought into the idea that personal sacrifices are simply part of career advancement and wealth.

But Madison isn't alone. Every day, women are inundated with messages of the American dream. If we get a good education and work hard, we’ll reap the rewards. And those rewards come in the form of salaries, bonuses, raises, promotions, and the “good life.”  It’s not just monetary – we often define ourselves through our work. It’s a central part of who we are.

But the truth? The more successful we are, the less time we have for ourselves. And it can leave you exhausted and wondering if it’s all worth it.

Ironic, isn’t it? Here was Madison – a successful, independent, career woman – and yet, she didn't have control over her own time. But what if she switched the success formula, so that TIME became her most important variable? Time to take long refreshing breaks from work. Time to take care of her own health and find joy. Time to do what she wants when she wants. And if Madison wants to jump into her dream life decades earlier than she ever thought possible, why not?

Madison had the resources, but she didn’t have a plan, or direction, for her life. Where was her North Star? She joined me in the Financial Freedom Accelerator, and I could see her excitement build as I shared the Dream-Plan-Save-Do framework. By the end of our third session, she had a full-scale plan drawn out that included a clear vision of how she wanted to spend her days, a strategy to build her Dream Fund, and the logistics of how she will carve out more time for travel (one of her biggest loves).

Madison rediscovered joy. She let go of some of the things at the office that could be delegated. She reclaimed her personal time.