live a little

I’ve never liked serious people.

You know the kind: permanently frowning, painfully straight posture, allergic to humour.

I’d always want to say: Take a chill pill. Live a little.

And then, after 1.5 years in Asia, I returned to Portugal and realised I’d become one of them.

Maybe not quite as stiff. But definitely more intense than I used to be.

Deadlines… 

Targets…

Growth…

I’d say very Singapore-style. 

But now my backdrop looks different: 30+ degrees, the Atlantic, Portuguese food, my now-husband, and my laptop.

The beach is five minutes away. My evenings are finally mine again (no more Slack pings after 7pm). Books are being read. Good sparkling poured. I didn’t mean to slow down - but I did.

And it reminded me of something I already knew:

Even though I run a 7-figure business, with goals, project plans, and forecasts - life doesn’t have to feel so heavy.

Business is serious. 

But you don’t have to be.

*

A few nights after our wedding, we were out with friends. One of them got chatting to a young Italian guy who’d just moved to Portugal.

Naturally, I asked him what he wanted to do with his life. Career plans. Big dreams.

He smiled, did that Italian gesture - fingertips pressed together - and said:

“Why does life have to mean work? I just want to live, be, enjoy life - dolce vita.”

Now, I don’t fully agree (and this mindset probably illustrates why Europe is lagging behind in productivity and innovation).

But I do think he’s onto something.

You can be ambitious and still smile.

Build with urgency and rest with intention.

Take the work seriously but not take yourself so seriously.

Here’s to business and dolce vita.

To high standards, good strategy, and knowing when to close the laptop and float in the sea.