Dear Younger Fred…your ambition will cost you this...
Ever since you were little, you were taught to follow a framework:
Go to school.
Graduate.
Get a good job… preferably a doctor if possible 😂.
Find a good partner.
Get married.
Have kids.
Save.
Retire.
Be happy.
At first glance, it makes sense… doesn't it?
Well… everybody else was doing it, so it must be the way, right?
You'll spend years chasing that checklist… subconsciously measuring your progress toward "success."
But what no one tells you is… that "framework" becomes the silent evaluator of your happiness.
The closer you are to the blueprint — boom, you are happy that day!
Fall behind schedule... and suddenly, sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness creep in.
You won't even notice it at first…
You'll just keep say yes — to every project, every late night, every hustle that makes you more money…
Because that's what "successful" people do, right?
You'll keep telling yourself:
"Once I make this much, I'll be happy."
"Once I buy this house, I'll finally relax."
"Once I hit this milestone, I'll feel enough."
But happiness won't come.
In fact, you'll wake up and find yourself yo-yoing between numbness and misery.
You'll just keep chasing the next dopamine high...win awards...new job titles...its like sprinting up mountains so fast that you forget to notice the beautiful scenery.
And when you reach the top, you'll whisper, "Is this all there is?"
Then… the cracks will show.
Your body aches.
Your motivation fades.
And one day, your wife — the person who sees you most clearly — will ask,
"Why are you doing everything backwards?"
She'll be right.
You'll always talk about family, health, and wealth — values passed down from Grandma (heck, you even have a tattoo with those words on your arm).
…but in actuality, you'll be living in reverse.
You'll think the right thoughts, say the right things in public… but your actions won't match your words.
That moment will sting.
Because deep down inside, you'll realize she isn't just calling out your choices — she's holding up a mirror.
And that will be your awakening.
Because real growth doesn't start when you hit your goals… it starts when you stop lying to yourself.
The cost of ambition will always be there…
But it doesn't have to bankrupt your life.
As grandma used to teach you, everything in moderation.
You'll learn that true success isn't built by climbing faster.
It's found in the moments you finally stop running...and take time to enjoy the journey.
After all — destinations and milestones will make up less than 1% of your life.
You'll spend the other 99% in the journey.
So fall in love with it.
Be kind to yourself.
Be present for your friends and family.
Take care of your health.
And measure success by how close you're living to your values — not your bank account.
Baaaaam — that's it for today!
See you next Thursday.
Stay curious,
Fred
