Most people hate their jobs.

The average person will spend over 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime. That's more time than we spend with our loved ones, pursuing our hobbies, or simply enjoying life. And yet, despite this enormous investment of time and energy, many of us feel unfulfilled, uninspired, and trapped in a rat race of 9 to 5. 

This is madness. And I bet you would agree. 

But how can it be that so many people accept this as their reality? The answer is because it is considered normal. It is social conditioning. From the moment we enter the school system, we’re programmed for a life of conformity. Get good grades, go to college, get a “good” job, climb the corporate ladder, retire at 65, and hope you have enough energy left to actually enjoy the freedom you’ve been working towards for decades.

This is how society works. If you don't define your own path, you'll be told where to go. If you don't create your own purpose, you'll be assigned one. You'll be handed a pre-packaged career path, a ladder to climb, a set of expectations to meet, all while sacrificing your dreams and aspirations. One day you wake up and realize you wasted 80% of your life. 

We're so busy chasing external validation – promotions, paychecks, status symbols – that we forget to listen to the whispers of our soul. We sacrifice our dreams on the altar of societal expectations, convincing ourselves that "this is just how it is.“

Things have never been better in the history of human civilization. There are less wars, less decease, less crimes, less poverty, less inconveniences. Everything seems to bet getting better. And still people feel, irrelevant, worthless, burned-out or depressed. 

The truth is we are living an unhappiness epidemic.

Depression rates are skyrocketing, anxiety is rampant, and a sense of disillusionment pervades our modern world. This seems paradoxical. After all, by many objective measures, things are better than ever before. We live longer, healthier lives. Technology has made our lives easier and more connected. We have access to an abundance of information, resources, and opportunities.

So why are so many people feeling so deeply unfulfilled?

The Maslow Gap

To understand this paradox, we need to look beyond the surface. We need to delve into the fundamental needs that drive human behavior.

We can turn to the work of Abraham Maslow, a renowned psychologist who proposed a hierarchy of human needs. This hierarchy, often depicted as a pyramid, illustrates how our motivations and desires evolve as our basic needs are met.

At the base of the pyramid are our physiological needs for survival - food, water, shelter. Next comes safety and security, followed by love and belonging, then esteem and recognition. At the pinnacle of the pyramid is self-actualization, the need to realize our full potential and live a meaningful life.

Think back a century or two. Life was, for many, a struggle for survival. People toiled tirelessly to secure food, shelter, and safety for themselves and their families. Existential questions about meaning and purpose were often a luxury reserved for a select few.

Here's the catch: In our modern world, for many of us, the lower levels of the pyramid are readily fulfilled. We don't have to worry about basic survival or safety in the same way our ancestors did. This is a remarkable achievement, a testament to human progress.

However, this very progress has created a gap, a void of meaning and purpose. We are no longer preoccupied with fulfilling our basic needs, freeing our minds to grapple with existential questions and seek a deeper sense of fulfillment. We have the luxury – yes, luxury – to ask questions about our purpose, our passions, and the meaning of our existence. We yearn for something more than simply surviving; we crave a life filled with meaning and purpose.

This is the Maslow Gap - the disconnect between our fulfilled basic needs and our unfulfilled higher-level needs. It's the reason why, despite having more material comforts and conveniences than ever before, many of us feel a profound sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. We've climbed the ladder of success, only to realize it's leaning against the wrong wall.

The problem is that society hasn't caught up to this shift in human needs. Our education system, our work environments, and even our cultural narratives are still largely focused on preparing us for a life of fulfilling basic needs, not higher-level aspirations. We're taught to chase external rewards like wealth and status, while neglecting the inner work of discovering our passions, cultivating our talents, and finding a sense of purpose that aligns with our true selves.

The result? We're left feeling lost, disillusioned, and unfulfilled, adrift in a sea of abundance but starved for a sense of deeper meaning.

This is why you can't rely on society to hand you a pre-packaged path to happiness. You must become the architect of your own destiny. If you want to live a life that is truly fulfilling, you must take ownership of your happiness and create a path that aligns with your unique values, passions, and aspirations.

You want a job that you love, that is fulfilling and gives you a sense of meaning? You want to contribute to something larger than yourself and make a positive impact on the world? Then it's time to take charge.

Work-Life Integration

Lets explore how you can get there.

The problem with the traditional view of work is that it creates a separation between "work" and "life." We compartmentalize our existence, relegating work to a separate sphere from our personal lives, passions, and aspirations. This division leads to several negative consequences:

• Lack of fulfillment: When work is seen as a means to an end, it's easy to feel unfulfilled and uninspired, leading to burnout and a sense of meaninglessness. 
• Work-life imbalance: The strict separation between work and life often results in neglecting personal needs, relationships, and hobbies, leading to stress and dissatisfaction. 
• Limited growth: By confining ourselves to the narrow definition of "work," we limit our opportunities for personal and professional growth, stifling our creativity and potential. 

To live a fulfilled life you have to make sure that work integrates with your life. I’m not talking about work life balance but work life integration. It's about crafting a life where work isn't something you need to balance, but something that fuels your purpose and brings a sense of fulfillment. Something that allows you to operate at the highest level of the pyramid. 

Imagine a life where your work energizes you, where Mondays are welcomed with enthusiasm, and where you feel a deep sense of purpose in what you do every day. This is the power of work-life integration. It's not about escaping work; it's about transforming work into an expression of your true self.

There are a couple of reasons why seeing work as an extension of yourself is so powerful:

• Do what you love, love what you do: By aligning your work with your passions, you unlock a level of motivation and drive that is impossible to find in a job that feels meaningless. You'll no longer dread Mondays or count down the hours till Friday because your work is something you genuinely enjoy.
• Autonomy and freedom: You're the CEO of your own life, making decisions that align with your values and goals. No more being micromanaged or confined by rigid structures. You have the freedom to create a business and a lifestyle that reflect your unique vision.
• Fuel your purpose: When your work contributes to a greater purpose, it becomes more than just a job; it becomes a mission. You feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment knowing that your efforts are making a positive impact on the world.
• The path to self-transcendence: This integration of work and life is a key element of achieving self-transcendence. It's about pushing beyond the limitations of your ego and embracing a life of purpose, passion, and authentic expression. By creating a business that is an extension of yourself, you're not just building a company, you're building a life that is truly aligned with your soul.

This is not a utopian dream. This is the Untethered Life. It's a real possibility for anyone willing to challenge the traditional notion of work and embrace a more integrated and fulfilling approach. It's a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and purpose that can lead to a life where work isn't a burden, but a source of joy, growth, and personal transformation.

The Untethered Business Model: 3 Steps to Building a Life You Love

Now that you envision a life where work fuels your passion and purpose, you might be wondering, "How do I actually achieve this?"

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.”

— Steve Jobs

This seems overly simplistic though there is a lot of truth into it. You might be thinking, "That's great Steve, but how does that translate to my life?“. Let’s make it a bit more concrete. 

So far, you should understand these key principles:

1. Self-Reliance is Key: You can't rely on society to hand you a pre-packaged path to fulfillment. Living a truly happy and fulfilling life requires taking ownership of your journey and defining your own terms.
2. Passion Fuels Purpose: Life is too short to waste on work that drains your soul. You deserve to engage in work that excites you, challenges you, and allows you to express your unique talents and passions.
3. Transcending the Self: True happiness often lies in contributing to something larger than ourselves. We yearn for purpose, meaning, and a sense of connection to something that transcends our individual existence.

In my experience, entrepreneurship is the best vessel for achieving all three principles. You don't need to be the next Steve Jobs to build a fulfilling and profitable business. Forget the pressure of billion-dollar valuations and world domination. 

It is way simpler. 

Solve your own problems and sell the solution. Yes it is really that simple. This how Airbnb built a billion dollar business. They didn't set out to disrupt the hospitality industry; they simply wanted to solve a personal problem: paying their rent. They noticed a gap in the market - a lack of affordable accommodation options during a conference - and devised a solution: renting out air mattresses on their living room floor.

Think about it: We all encounter challenges and obstacles in life. Maybe you've struggled to get in shape, overcome a limiting belief, manage your finances, or find a better way to handle stress. But here's the thing: you haven't just passively accepted those challenges; you've actively sought solutions. You've experimented, researched, learned, and adapted. You've developed unique insights, strategies, and tools that have helped you navigate those challenges, even if those solutions are still works in progress.

And that's where the magic of entrepreneurship lies. Your personal struggles, your journey of overcoming obstacles, is a goldmine of valuable knowledge for others facing similar challenges.

At it’s core entrepreneurship is nothing more than solving problems. Problems you're passionate about solving. Problems that resonate with your skills and experiences. And getting paid for it.

This is where the Untethered Business Model comes in. It's a framework for turning your passions, your problem-solving skills, and your unique experiences into a business that fuels your purpose and allows you to live a life you love.

Step 1: Find Your Zone of Genius

What lights you up? What activities make time fly by? What are you naturally good at? This could be anything from writing to coaching to design to crafting handmade goods. You've already spent years developing skills and interests. Your unique journey and experiences have shaped your perspective and expertise. It's time to leverage those strengths.

Step 2: Solve Your Own Problems

We all encounter challenges in life. Maybe you struggled to get in shape, overcome a limiting belief, or find a better way to manage your time. Now, think about how you solved those problems. What steps did you take? What tools or techniques did you discover? What lessons did you learn? Your personal struggles can be a goldmine of valuable knowledge for others. By turning your challenges into solutions, you not only empower yourself but also provide a roadmap for others to navigate similar obstacles.

Step 3: Share Your Solutions and Get Paid

Package your solutions into a product or service: This could be an online course, coaching program, ebook, digital template, or even a physical product. Connect with your ideal audience online: Build a simple website or use social media to share your expertise and attract people who resonate with your story. Help them achieve the transformation you've experienced: Guide them through the process, offering support and encouragement along the way.

It's really that simple: Find what you love doing, solve your own problems, and then share those solutions with others who are eager to learn and grow. You don't need a massive team or a huge investment to get started. With the power of the internet and a commitment to serving your audience, you can build a profitable and fulfilling business that allows you to:

• Do work that aligns with your passions.
• Set your own hours and create your ideal lifestyle.
• Make a positive impact on the world.

This is the Untethered Business Model.

Taking charge of your happiness means recognizing that you hold the reins to your own destiny. You can't rely on society, a job, or external circumstances to provide you with meaning and purpose. It's up to you to define your own path, cultivate your passions, and create a life that reflects your authentic self.

The Untethered Business Model is a powerful tool for achieving this self-reliance. It empowers you to break free from the constraints of the traditional work model and craft a life where work becomes an integrated and meaningful part of your overall journey. It's a path to self-discovery, creative expression, and ultimately, a life of deep fulfillment and purpose.