How Much is Enough? Deciding When You’ve Earned the Right to Slow Down

Most people who have built significant wealth didn’t get there by accident. You’ve likely been hustling for decades, pouring countless hours into your business or career, driven by a relentless pursuit of success. Now you find yourself sitting on millions of dollars, often far beyond what you truly need to retire comfortably. Yet slowing down seems elusive, almost impossible. Why is that?

The Overlooked Reality

According to a recent Charles Schwab study, only a third of Americans have clearly defined financial goals coupled with a documented action plan. This means there’s a significant segment (two-thirds) navigating their financial futures without a clear roadmap.

Within this group lies an overlooked subset: high achievers who have amassed substantial wealth but lack clarity on their retirement picture. Often, these individuals have unknowingly accumulated wealth far exceeding their actual retirement needs yet continue grinding away due to uncertainty about what’s genuinely “enough.”

The challenge typically isn’t a numbers problem; it’s a mindset issue. You’ve likely been wired for decades to pursue constant growth and accumulation, possibly neglecting your personal fulfillment and well-being. However, at some stage, the pursuit that initially built your wealth begins delivering diminishing returns in life satisfaction.

Recognizing when you’ve crossed the threshold of “enough” requires a conscious shift—a strategic pivot toward valuing your health, time, and quality of life alongside financial security.

The True Wealth Equation: Health, Wealth, and Time

We approach comprehensive financial planning through a simple philosophical lens: maximizing life today by discovering your perfect equilibrium between health, wealth, and time.

If you’re struggling to slow down, ask yourself:

• Health: How does continuous high-intensity work impact your physical and mental health? Will you have the health and energy to achieve your bucket list items after the long-awaited separation from work?
• Wealth: What is your true financial number? Could you live comfortably if your wealth were cut in half tomorrow? (Spoiler alert: If you’ve read this far, the answer is likely “yes.”)
• Time: How are you investing your most finite resource? Does your schedule allow you to engage meaningfully in the activities and relationships that matter most to you?

My Challenge to You: Imagine your life as an equilateral triangle, each corner representing health, wealth, and time. Does your current allocation among these areas reflect how you envision spending your life moving forward? If not, what changes are you ready to explore to achieve the balance you desire?

Understanding “Enough”—Breaking the Wired Mindset

The challenge isn’t typically a numbers problem—it’s a mindset issue. You’ve been wired to achieve and accumulate, perhaps at the expense of your own well-being. Changing gears can feel uncomfortable, even unnatural. However, at some point, the drive that once created your wealth begins diminishing your returns in life quality.

Embrace the power and privilege you have: the flexibility to choose differently. You’ve earned the right to shift from pure accumulation toward genuine enjoyment and personal fulfillment.

Stress-Test Your Next Phase of Life

Clarifying your financial freedom is dynamic in nature and specific to each individual. As a starting point, consider each end of the spectrum from crunching the numbers to frank reflection of your true wants.

• Monte Carlo Simulations: Imagine various scenarios—both optimistic and catastrophic—to stress-test your financial plan thoroughly. Understanding that even in worst-case scenarios, you still have sufficient assets to enjoy your lifestyle can provide immense relief.
• Open Conversations: Engage in candid discussions about your lifestyle, legacy, and personal aspirations beyond finances. These conversations can provide valuable guidance, helping you make informed and meaningful decisions about your next chapter of life.

Think Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Retirement today is no longer a one-size-fits-all formula of golfing and cruises. It can mean pursuing passion projects, mentoring younger entrepreneurs, launching nonprofits, or simply taking sabbaticals for family adventures. Retirement can (and should) be tailored to your unique life vision, not anyone else’s standard.

Key Takeaway

You’ve worked incredibly hard. But the hard truth is that no one is promised unlimited time. The saddest reality for successful individuals is looking back and realizing they spent too much time chasing wealth they didn’t need, instead of enjoying the life their success afforded them.

You have the flexibility and power to define retirement creatively and authentically. True financial security means you control the narrative around your future.

The opinion of the author is subject to change without notice and must be considered in conjunction with relevant regulation, as well as subsequent changes in the marketplace. Any information from outside resources has been deemed to be reliable but has not necessarily been verified. Each individual has unique circumstances to which this information may or may not be relevant. Under no circumstances will this information constitute an offer to buy or sell and it does not indicate strategy suitability for any particular investor.