You may think that setting an aspirational hourly rate for yourself is a bit extreme, but let me tell you, it can be a game-changer. When you assign a high value to your time, it forces you to think twice about how you spend it. For example, let's say you value your time at $100 an hour. If you decide to spend an hour driving across town to get something, you're effectively throwing away $100. Are you really willing to do that?

You may think that setting an aspirational hourly rate for yourself is a bit extreme, but let me tell you, it can be a game-changer. When you assign a high value to your time, it forces you to think twice about how you spend it. For example, let's say you value your time at $100 an hour. If you decide to spend an hour driving across town to get something, you're effectively throwing away $100. Are you really willing to do that?

By setting an aspirational hourly rate, you are essentially putting a tangible value on your time. It serves as a constant reminder to prioritize your tasks and make decisions that align with your goals. Suddenly, that extra hour spent scrolling through social media doesn't seem as appealing when you realize it's costing you a significant amount of money.

I know it may sound a bit drastic, but let me share with you my personal experience. When I started valuing my time at an aspirational hourly rate, it completely changed my perspective. I became more conscious of how I spent my time and started making deliberate choices. I stopped wasting hours on activities that didn't bring me any value and started focusing on tasks that would contribute to my personal and professional growth.

One area where I saw a significant improvement was in my writing. As someone who writes a weekly newsletter, I used to struggle with self-editing while I wrote. I would constantly second-guess myself, leading to a slow and inefficient writing process. However, once I started valuing my time at a higher rate, I realized that I couldn't afford to waste precious minutes deliberating over every word and sentence. I had to trust my instincts and write without constantly going back to edit.

This shift in mindset not only made me a faster writer but also improved the quality of my work. I found that when I allowed myself to write freely without the constant self-editing, my ideas flowed more naturally and my writing became more authentic. It was a liberating experience, and I saw a noticeable improvement in my newsletter's engagement and reader feedback.

Another lesson I learned from my experience is the importance of keeping promises to oneself. Writing a weekly newsletter for an entire year may not seem like a big deal to some, but for me, it was a personal challenge. I wanted to prove to myself that I could commit to a long-term project and see it through, no matter what.

There were times when I was sick, times when I was on vacation, and times when writing was the last thing I wanted to do. But I made a promise to myself, and I was determined to keep it. It wasn't always easy, but damn does it feel good to know that I pushed through and achieved my goal. It taught me the importance of self-discipline and perseverance, qualities that are crucial in any endeavor.

Now, let's tie these two experiences together - setting an aspirational hourly rate and keeping promises to oneself. When you value your time highly, you are more likely to keep the promises you make to yourself. You understand that every minute counts and wasting time is essentially breaking a promise to yourself. This realization creates a sense of urgency and accountability that can propel you forward in achieving your goals.

Before I conclude, I want to leave you with three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Set an aspirational hourly rate for yourself. Assign a high value to your time and let it guide your decision-making process. Think twice before engaging in activities that don't align with your goals.

2. Don't self-edit while you write. Trust your instincts and let your ideas flow freely. Embrace imperfection and focus on the authenticity of your content. You can always refine and edit later.

3. Keep promises to yourself. Make commitments and follow through on them, no matter how challenging or inconvenient they may seem. Developing self-discipline and perseverance will not only boost your confidence but also help you achieve your long-term goals.

In conclusion, my year of writing a weekly newsletter has taught me valuable lessons about valuing my time, trusting my instincts, and keeping promises to myself. By setting an aspirational hourly rate, I became more conscious of how I spent my time and made deliberate choices. Not self-editing while writing allowed me to write more authentically and efficiently. And by keeping my promise to write a weekly newsletter, I cultivated self-discipline and perseverance. I encourage you to apply these lessons to your own life and see the positive impact it can have. Remember, your time is valuable, and it's up to you to make the most of it.