I was watching a recent episode of Money for Couples, a show hosted by financial influencer Ramit Sethi from I Will Teach Your to Be Rich.
And in one of the questions to the participants, he asked her:
“If you could wave a magic wand, what would your ideal life look like?”
And this question made me think about my own life, and how I used to believe I had to have it all figured out to start living the values and life I wanted.
And that could not be further from the truth.
Our rich uncle, Warren Buffett, didn’t wait until he had billions to start giving back.
At 26, teaching an investing class at the University of Omaha, he was already sharing what he knew—not because he’d “made it,” but because he could help someone right there and then.
And here’s the harsh truth: most of us are waiting for the perfect moment to start living the life we actually want.
We tell ourselves:
“When I make $X amount of money, then I’ll help my parents.” “When I get promoted, then I’ll have time for my kids.” “When I pay off my debt, then I’ll start that side project.”
But here’s what I’ve learned:
you don’t go from 0% to 100% overnight. And you don’t have to.
Now, let’s play a game and think about your ideal life for a second.
Maybe it’s waking up without an alarm. Maybe it’s retiring your parents. Maybe it’s being fully present with your kids instead of thinking about work at the dinner table.
Maybe it’s traveling with your family to crazy places around the world.
Whatever it is, I’m willing to bet you think you need the perfect conditions to start living it.
The right salary. The right title. The right time of the year. The right weather. The right amount in your savings account.
But that’s not how life works.
Think about this: progress isn’t a light switch—it’s more like a dimmer.
You want to retire your parents? Start by covering their phone bill this month. Then maybe help with rent next year.
You’re not all the way there yet, but you’re living that value right now, not someday.
You want to be a writer? Stop waiting for a book deal. Write a 200-word post on LinkedIn this week.
You want to be the parent who’s actually there? You can’t quit your job tomorrow, but you can read one extra bedtime story tonight. You can have a real 10-minute conversation before they go to sleep.
These aren’t compromises. They’re down payments on the life you’re building.
And here’s the beautiful part:
Those baby steps don’t just move you forward—they fuel you. Every small action reminds you that you’re not stuck. You’re not waiting.
You’re already becoming the person you want to be.
So let me ask you:
- What’s one small step you could take this week toward the life you actually want?
- What would it feel like to stop waiting for permission and just start?
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need the perfect plan or the perfect bank account.
You just need to take the first step.
The life you want isn’t waiting for you at the finish line. It’s being built in the small choices you make today.
Start living it now, even if it’s just 0.1% at a time.
Keep moving forward,
Alex
PS: What’s your ideal day look like? Let me know! Message me at @thealexisidro
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I’m a dad, husband, engineer (14 years) , and online educator. I share lessons and guidance in the areas of career, online business, finances, and family. My mission is simple: leave the world better than when I arrived and help one million people advance their careers, achieve financial security, and live purposeful lives.