Get a job. Work hard. Be grateful. Retire.

For most people, that plan feels like the right thing to do. It’s predictable and what society expects from you. But it’s also sad.

Maybe, just maybe, you feel you are meant for more. You feel you’re capable of more than working a 9-5 and making someone else rich.

It’s okay to work a 9-5, but not forever.

The idea of working 40 hours a week for 40 years is terrifying, at least to me.

I want freedom, and I’m sure you do too.

Freedom, as I see it, is simple.

Time to do what you want, with who you want, when you want, where you want.

That’s the conversation I had with in our video. We talked about multiple income streams as a way to build options while you’re still employed.

And if you’re reading this thinking:

Yeah, I want freedom too. I just don’t know where to start.

Good. You’re in the right place.

Why multiple income streams?

You have a job, maybe a stable life, but you feel like life is happening to you, not for you.

You make money, but you’re not free.

You can’t just take a Tuesday off. You need permission from your boss. He controls your time.

How do you feel about that?

When you say you want more, people, especially family and friends, can make you feel bad. They will say you should be grateful for what you have.

Wanting more is not a bad thing, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

Income is something you build, not something you’re given.

One of the first things I ever searched online as a teenager was:

How can I make money from home?

That curiosity led me into blogging and affiliate marketing years ago. Some of the websites I built back then still earn small commissions today.

That was my first exposure to something that changes everything once you really understand it.

You can do work once and get paid repeatedly.

That’s the heart of building multiple income streams, and even better, passive income.

Build and purchase assets. They will pay you time and time again, even when you’re asleep.

The four income streams we discussed:

In the video, we covered multiple income stream ideas. Some are more “active”. Some are more “passive”.

All have trade-offs.

1) Property

Most people think property means:

• You need lots of cash up front.

• You’re dealing with repairs forever.

• Tenants will ruin your life.

• If you outsource management, you lose all the profit.

But there are many ways to make money in property, and some of them don’t require a lot os cash to start.

Yes, a letting agent might take around 10% to manage a standard rental. That’s normal. And the monthly profit on a typical deal might be a few hundred pounds, not thousands.

Why is property investing a good option?

Because you’re not only buying the monthly cash flow. You’re buying an asset that can grow in value over time.

Also, there are strategies beyond standard rentals. Some have higher cash flow. Some are more hands-on. Some are creative.

The main point is that property is not a job. It can be pretty “passive”, and by the way, it’s the #1 source of income of most millionaires.

You don’t have to do everything yourself. You build a team. Plumber, cleaner, mortgage broker, accountant, solicitor. You don’t hire them full-time. You just need to know who to call.

I even shared something in the video that surprises people.

I’m a portfolio landlord, and I don’t drive. This is proof that if you build the right system and you work with the right people, you don’t need to be hands-on and spend hours driving around to manage your property portfolio.

I have a publication on Substack called Secret Property Club, where other property investors and I teach you how to do it properly.

2) Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate income is simple.

You recommend something useful. If someone buys through your link, you earn a commission.

What makes it powerful is longevity.

If you write one good article today recommending a product or tool, it can pay you for years. That article becomes an asset.

Also, affiliate opportunities are everywhere online. Domains, software tools, books, courses, services.

You don’t need a massive audience to make money from affiliate marketing.

3) Investing

I’m pro investing. I’m not pro gambling.

In the video, I talked about ETFs and stock shares. This is a long-term game.

The biggest risk for most people is not the market.

It’s emotions.

People panic when they see a dip, sell at the worst time, and then tell themselves investing “doesn’t work”.

I don’t recommend day trading for most people. I don’t personally invest in crypto because it’s not within my risk appetite. Maybe that changes when someone has far more spare capital.

4) Royalties

Royalties aren’t so popular. But once you understand their power, you’ll love them.

A book is an asset.

A course is an asset.

A specific digital product that solves a real problem is an asset.

Social media can pay you, but if you stop posting, the income stops.

But a product you create can pay you again and again.

I wrote “You’re More Than Your 9-5”. It’s an asset.

Learn How To Leverage

Leverage can be interpreted as something negative. But it’s not about taking advantage of other people. It’s about not doing everything alone.

You can leverage:

• Other people’s skills (accountants, brokers, editors, designers).

• Other people’s time (delegation, systems).

• Other people’s money (partnerships, joint ventures, investing capital).

But it has to be a win-win. Always.

Don’t use leverage to “take advantage” of other people.

Collaborate and create value for both parties.

That’s how you can create the time and the team you’ll need to have multiple income streams.

Your environment will fight your growth.

This might be the most important thing we said in the whole conversation.

Most people don’t talk about dreams, money, or freedom with their everyday circle.

You don’t feel supported by family and friends when you do it.

That’s because your ambition forces them to look in the mirror.

That’s uncomfortable, both to you and your family and friends.

So they’ll call it risky. Unrealistic. “A bit much.”

Sometimes they’ll laugh.

Sometimes they’ll worry.

Sometimes they’ll completely shat you down and make you feel bad about your own dreams.

You should never feel bad for wanting a better life for you and your loved ones.

That’s why you need to find like-minded people and connect with them. Spend as much time as you can with people who are already living the life you want for yourself.

Spend time with people who talk money without shame or embarrassment.

How much do you need to be financially free?

asked me if I had a number.

I do. But here’s a better answer:

It’s not about my number. It’s about yours.

Because your life costs what it costs. Your responsibilities are your responsibilities.

A simple way to think about it is this:

Multiply your current income by 10.

Doubling your income helps. Tripling helps. But 10x changes your life.

And it changes your life for a deeper reason than to “buy nice stuff”.

In the video, I shared a personal example. There were moments in my life where having money meant being able to act fast for my family. Healthcare. Travel. Being present when it mattered.

That’s what freedom buys.

Options.

Upgrade To Paid Member

If you’re new here, welcome.

This publication is for people building freedom while still in a 9–5.

I don’t promise overnight success.

This publication is for real people with real lives, like you and me.

When you upgrade to a paid subscription, you’ll get:

• Real advice for building income streams alongside your 9-5.

• Step-by-step breakdowns of what actually works, what’s overrated, and what I’d avoid.

• Templates and frameworks you can copy and use, including the “9-5 Freedom STEPS”.

• A clearer path to go from “daydreaming” to “multiple income streams”.

Free subscribers get the ideas.

Paid subscribers get proper advice, including 1-1 coaching sessions and answers to their questions.

Start Now

You don’t need to quit your 9–5 tomorrow.

You just need to start building something that gives you choices.

One income stream at a time.

One asset at a time.

One brave decision at a time.

If you want the deeper guides and the exact frameworks I’m using, upgrade your subscription.

I will immediately invite you to a 1-1 session as part of your membership.

When your life is “good enough”, you end up staying there forever.

You have a job. You’re paying your bills. You’re surviving. You’re not falling apart. Some people might even say that you’re “doing well”.

But are you?

Inside, you might be thinking:

There must be more than this.
I am meant for more than this.

If you worked in a toxic environment, you’d be looking for change. If you hated your job, you’d be forced to change.

That’s why “good enough” is a dangerous place to be. It doesn’t force you to improve or to make any changes in your life at all.

Many times, change is a good thing.

But “good enough” just keeps you stuck.

The problem with “good enough”.

You keep saying you’ll do something for yourself “when things calm down”.

• You’re tired, but you tell yourself it’s normal. You lie to yourself and say it’s okay.

• You spend your evenings recovering instead of changing your life for the better.

• You don’t feel motivated, but you don’t feel bad either. You do nothing.

• You’re grateful, but you’re also secretly disappointed in yourself. You wish you had a better life.

A week becomes a month. A month becomes a year.

Then one day you realise you’ve been living the same year over and over.

How would you feel if your life looked the same today and 5 or 10 years from now?

Your choice to do nothing will cost you.

The cost isn’t just time. It’s what “good enough” does to your identity.

When you stay in the “good enough” stage for long enough, you start shrinking your dream to fit the life you already have.

You start reducing your worth and your dreams:

• “Maybe I’m not that ambitious.”

• “Maybe I should just be grateful.”

• “Maybe this is just normal life.”

Over time, you stop trusting yourself. You stop believing you can do or achieve anything else in life. You stop believing you’re the kind of person who can change. Even worse, you stop believing you’re capable of anything else.

You don’t need to do anything crazy.

No dramatic changes overnight.

People think that to escape the “good enough” life, they need to:

• Quit the job tomorrow.

• Start a business tomorrow.

• Change everything at once.

But that’s not what I believe.

I still work a 9–5, and I’m certainly not writing this from Dubai.

I still have lots of responsibilities, bills to pay, and sometimes I feel like having a lazy day watching Netflix.

Same as you.

The goal isn’t to completely change my life.

The goal is to take control of my life.

The goal is to stop working for someone else and be able to choose how, when and with whom I spend my time.

Shift from “good enough” to “with purpose”.

This is the difference:

• Good Enough = You let life happen to you.

• With Purpose = You decide how your time, money, and energy are used.

When you start living with purpose, your 9–5 stops feeling like a prison.

Your job becomes a tool.

A tool that funds your dream while you build it slowly, in your spare time.

A tool that gives you stability.

A tool that buys you time.

This is only possible if you have a purpose, a vision and a dream.

Are you in a “good enough” situation?

Answer this question:

If nothing changed in my life for the next 5 years, would I feel proud, neutral, or disappointed?

If the answer is you feel disappointed, don’t worry.

But don’t ignore it either. That feeling is good. That feeling is information.

It’s your conscience tapping you on the shoulder.

It’s your conscience telling you to do something about it.

Make a decision today.

1. Reduce One Bad Habit by 25% this month (scrolling, spending, drinking, saying yes to plans you don’t want).

2. Create One Freedom Block this week (30 minutes). Put it in your calendar. Use that time to learn a skill and think about what you still want to accomplish in your life. Create a vision board.

I can help you.

If you read this article to the end, here’s what I already know about you:

You don’t need more motivation.

You need a simple system to help you navigate these changes you want to make in your life.

Hello friend.

Do you feel stuck?

I want you to know that I’ve been there. I struggled for a long time. I wanted more, but everything I did led me nowhere. I was miserable. But that’s changed for the better.

I’m telling you this because I want to understand that what I’m about to share with you isn’t just words. It’s the …

Read more

Have you ever thought about starting a newsletter?

A newsletter is a great way to discover what excites you and what you’re passionate about. When you sta…

Read more

Your problem isn’t your job, so stop blaming your job.

You don’t hate your job. You hate feeling that your life belongs to your job.

Agree?

You hate waking up already tired, giving your best energy to your work, then going home with nothing left for what actually matters to you.

Sometimes you go home, and you don’t have the…

Read more

I want to share a powerful message with you.

Let’s see if you should keep reading:

Are you working a 9-5, paying bills, but want more for your life?

Does it look like you’re doing well, but actually, you constantly feel stuck and have a desire to change your life?

Do you ever think:

There must be more than this.

I know that …

Read more

Most people aren’t stuck because they don’t know what to do.

They’re stuck because they’re waiting to feel like doing it.

Waiting for motivation.

Waiting for energy.

Waiting for the perfect time.

And the problem with waiting is that you can literally wait forever.

You’ll always find an excuse to keep waiting.

I’ve done that too.

Read more

Today was the first time I went Live on Instagram.

Vicky invited me on, and what I expected to be a quick chat turned into an amazing conversation. I really enjoyed it. It’s always good to have a conversation with like-minded people.

We spoke about mindset, ambition, and the tension people carry when they spend their life feeling they are meant for more.

…

Read more

A salary is regular, but it’s not guaranteed.

I recently read Ola Gipsh’s article “The Stability Paradox: Employment vs. Entrepreneurship”, and I genuinely like the question she’s asking:

Which path is actually more stable?

To be fair, Ola nails this part:

A job can feel stable, but it only takes one restructure or leade…

Read more

Most people think the problem is discipline.

“I should be doing more.”

“I should be waking up earlier.”

“I just need to want it badly enough.”

But if you’re in the 9–5 Club, you already know the truth.

You’ve got a job. You show up. You handle your responsibilities.

And you still want more.

Not because you’re ungrateful.

Becaus…

Read more

“I need another income stream.”

But you’re also tired, busy, and living a real life, this live conversation will hit a nerve.

I went live with to talk about multiple income streams, what’s real, what’s hype, and what people never tell you about the work behind “passive” income.

John’s not a theorist. John built this while living a normal life. He was a teacher for 20 years, and while teaching, he was building side hustles in the background. Over time, the side hustles became the main hustle. That transition is the story.

It’s about building options.

John’s starting point (and why it matters).

John didn’t wake up one day with seven income streams and a perfect routine.

He started like most people:

• A job.

• A family life.

• Limited time.

• A desire for more.

• And a willingness to build something for himself.

He talked about doing sports coaching and side hustles alongside teaching, then later building a proper operations-heavy business: Fiesta Sports Coaching.

A big point he made (and I respect the honesty):

Running an operations business with staff, logistics, sickness, inflation, and cost pressure is harder than people think. It is not a cute Instagram side hustle. It’s a real responsibility.

The lie people still believe: “Work-Life Balance”.

John said something I agree with, even if it’s uncomfortable:

Work-life balance is not a stable destination. It’s different states of flux.

In the beginning, you are building something. That means sacrifice. That means evenings. That means saying no to comfort.

Not forever. But for a chapter of your life.

I called it what it is: work-life imbalance.

If you’re building a second life, your current comfort will be the price.

The real unlock: leverage (without losing your soul).

We got into one of the most important ideas in wealth building: leverage.

Not “use people” leverage. Real leverage:

• Build a team.

• Delegate tasks.

• Create systems.

• Automate what can be automated.

I shared my own example:

My Airbnb business looks busy from the outside, but because it’s systemised and delegated, I can be in and out in 10 minutes a day, and sometimes do nothing at all when there are longer bookings.

The point is not Airbnb.

The point is:

Income streams become sustainable when you stop being the bottleneck.

Why doesn’t school prepare people for real life?

This part is important.

John made a blunt but true point:

Most young people aren’t being taught what they actually need about business and money.

Not because teachers are bad people. Because most teachers have never:

• Run payroll.

• Built a business.

• Handled cashflow pressure.

• Sold an offer.

• Managed tax strategy.

• Dealt with real-world risk.

That gap is why John built Financial Certainty Family:

To teach the stuff people are embarrassed to ask, and the stuff school never covered.

We also talked about something I wish every teenager understood:

Most people don’t fail because they lack knowledge.
They fail because they’re afraid to fail.

And because comfort is addictive.

John said it on the live, and I’ll say it again here:

Comfort kills dreams.

The 7 types of income (simple breakdown).

This live was inspired by ’ framework on the 7 income types. Here’s the simple version we explored:

• Earned income: your job, your wages.

• Profit income: buy or create something, sell for more than it costs (John’s business).

• Rental income: property cashflow (HMOs, serviced accommodation, buy-to-lets, etc.).

• Capital gains: buy low, sell high (property appreciation, business exits, even flipping items).

• Interest income: savings, bonds, funds, partnerships.

• Dividend income: shares that pay you.

• Royalty income: books, music, software, courses, and evergreen content.

None of these is “the answer”.

But if you only have earned income, you have one point of failure.

And the world is getting too expensive for that.

Two practical money lessons we both agree on.

1) Don’t invest money you can’t afford to lose.

This is not fear. This is maturity.

2) Inflation quietly robs people who only save.

We spoke about how money sitting in a bank account can feel safe, but lose purchasing power over time.

John made an important counterpoint, too: keep a cash buffer for emergencies so you don’t have to sell assets at the wrong time.

Royalties are more real than people think (and you already have a story).

This was one of my favourite moments.

We talked about books, royalties, and content that pays you repeatedly.

I shared a personal example: years ago, I made YouTube videos about alopecia after losing my hair, and people reached out from all over the world. It reminded me that everybody has a story that can help someone.

And then the funniest part: my son started selling my book at school.

Not because I pushed him. Because he wanted to.

That’s the kind of thing that makes me think: we’re all closer to “another income stream” than we realise. We just don’t treat our ideas like assets.

The closing message (if you only take one thing).

You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow.

But you do need to stop pretending you can build freedom with only comfort.

Pick one income stream that fits your life right now.

Start small. Stay consistent. Learn from someone doing it.

And give it long enough to work.

Watch the full live.

If you want the full conversation (including the real talk on business pressure, mentorship, tax mindset, and what “passive” income actually looks like), watch the replay.

Your next move (choose one).

• Write down your current income streams (even small ones).

• Pick one to build this year.

• Decide on the weekly time block you will protect for it.

• Swap one comfort habit for one hour of building.

Get more from David Oliveira in the Substack app

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Thank you all for being part of my journey to my own multiple income streams.

Upgrade to join 1-1 sessions and participate in my workshops.

It felt safe. It turns out it wasn't.

For too long, I stayed in a job that felt safe.

Most people do.

It was close to home. My colleagues were nice. I wasn’t stressed. I told myself I was lucky to be there.

But somewhere along the way, safe turned into stuck, and stuck is not a nice place to be.

I was comfortable. Too comfortab…

Read more

I saw this note from Vinayak Ramesh, and it hit me immediately. Not because it was profound or clever, but because it was true.

We’re both living this reality right now. Working a 9-5 for someone else, then coming home to open the laptop and work some more, building something on the side that matters to us, even when we’re exhausted.

This article is a con…

Read more

Have you ever felt like there’s a dream inside you, waiting to be set free?

In the latest episode of the 9-5 Club Podcast, David urges listeners to take a moment of introspection and admit their deepest desires.

This powerful admission is the first step towards transforming your life and pursuing the path you truly want.

The Importance of Admission

David emphasises that before making any life changes, you must first admit what you truly want.

According to him, everything else is just a strategy built on a lie.

He encourages listeners to recognise the small signs of their dreams, whether it’s feeling drawn to certain people or getting lost in work that ignites their passion.

Instead of downplaying these feelings to mere desires for fulfilment or freedom, he challenges us to vocalise our true dreams.

Facing Fears and Societal Norms

Admitting your dream can feel dangerous.

David points out that this admission threatens the comfort of those around you, as well as your own excuses.

Many people might say, “I want to build something that’s mine,” but then revert to safer language, like “My job is busy, but it’s fine.”

This is where honesty comes into play.

David shares personal anecdotes about his own struggles, from factory floors to corporate offices, emphasising that the desire for freedom and meaningful work is universal.

Your 9 to 5 as a Tool, Not a Prison

In his book, “You’re More Than Your 9-5”, David makes it clear that admitting your dream doesn’t mean you need to quit your job immediately.

Instead, he advocates for using your current role as a tool to help you reach your aspirations. He suggests that small, brave choices are key to building your future slowly, rather than making drastic changes that could lead to chaos.

Practical Steps to Start Your Journey

David encourages listeners to take action by writing down their thoughts.

He proposes three reflective prompts:

• “If I were completely honest, the dream inside me is...”

• “If nothing changed in my life for the next 10 years, I would feel...”

• “One small brave choice I could make this month is...”

These exercises help clarify your dreams and make the first step toward acknowledging them.

Connecting and Continuing the Journey

If this message resonates with you, David invites you to connect with him through social media. His book is designed to guide you through the process of uncovering your hidden dreams and taking purposeful steps toward realising them. He reassures listeners that they don’t have to make drastic life changes overnight; instead, the journey begins with a simple admission of what you truly want.

Key Takeaways

Admitting the dream inside you is a powerful first step toward transforming your life. It requires honesty and courage, but can lead to profound changes.

Rather than seeing your job as a limitation, view it as a stepping stone towards your true aspirations.

Remember, the journey to self-discovery and fulfilment starts with acknowledging what you really want.

Every Sunday morning, before the kids wake up, I sit down with a coffee and run the numbers.

Income and expenses for each business.

Rent payments from tenants.

What came in, what went out and what needs my attention.

It’s not exciting.

But it’s the most important two hours of my week.

Because if I don’t design my week, someone else will, and not how I like it.

Why I Started This

I didn’t always do this.

For years, I stumbled into Monday mornings reactive, distracted, going with the flow.

I’d say yes to things that didn’t matter.

I’d put out fires instead of building my future.

I’d get to Friday and realise I’d spent the whole week on other people’s priorities, not mine.

That changes when you start asking yourself the right questions before the week begins.

What My Sunday Mornings Actually Look Like

Early.

I do this work before the kids wake up.

Not because I’m some productivity machine, but because I want the rest of the day with them.

So I’m up early. Coffee. Quiet house. Laptop open.

First: I run the numbers.

• Income and expenses across property, Secret Property Club, PPN Lincoln, and everything else.

• Rent payments. Who’s paid, who hasn’t.

• Cash flow. Where I am vs where I need to be.

This isn’t about obsessing over money.

It’s about knowing where I stand so I can make better business decisions.

Then, I open my Operations page in Notion.

This is where everything I’m working on lives. It’s almost like my second brain, but on my laptop.

Projects. Commitments. Deadlines. Follow-ups.

Notion AI and Sintra AI do a lot of the work for me.

I look at the week ahead and ask three simple questions.

The 3 Questions

1. What needs my attention this week?

Not everything. Just the things that actually matter.

• A tenant issue.

• A PPN event that needs promo.

• A Substack post, if I have none scheduled.

• A phone call with an investor.

I write them down.

If I can see it, I can plan for it.

If I can’t see it, it ends up a Wednesday problem and steals my energy.

2. Am I on the right path?

This one’s bigger.

It’s not about the tasks.

It’s about direction.

• Is what I’m doing this week moving me towards freedom, or just keeping me busy?

• Am I building, or just maintaining?

• Am I producing or consuming?

• Am I using my time on things that compound, or things that disappear?

Kevin McDonnell told me I must concentrate on my IGT (income-generating tasks).

Sometimes it’s uncomfortable.

But it’s better to notice on Sunday than on Wednesday.

3. Any changes needed?

This is where I give myself permission to adjust.

• Do I need to say no to something I already committed to?

• Do I need to move a meeting or block out my time differently?

• Do I need to ask for help instead of trying to do everything myself?

Most people think their week is a routine.

It’s not.

You can plan it before it starts.

Then I Plan the Week

Once I’ve answered those three questions, I open Google Calendar and plan my week.

• When I’m working on the property business.

• When I’m writing.

• When I’m with the kids.

• When I’m doing boring admin tasks.

I don’t just hope I’ll find time.

I decide where my time goes.

And if something doesn’t fit, I either move it or delete it.

The Power of Saying No

Here’s what changed when I started doing this:

I stopped saying yes to things that don’t serve me.

Parties I don’t want to go to.

Gatherings that feel like obligations.

Meetings that could be emails.

Projects that sound good but don’t move anything forward.

When you design your week on Sunday, you see exactly where your time is going.

And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

You start protecting your time like it’s the most valuable thing you own.

Because it is.

What Happens When I Skip This

Sometimes I don’t do this.

Life gets in the way. The kids wake up early. I sleep in. Whatever.

And every time I skip it, I feel the difference by Tuesday.

I’m reactive instead of intentional.

I’m busy instead of productive.

I’m working hard, but not on the right things.

That Sunday routine isn’t just about planning tasks.

It’s about remembering what I’m building and making sure this week actually moves me towards it.

Your Version of This

You don’t need to copy my exact process.

You need to find a version that works for you.

You don’t need to do it on Sundays.

But if you’re constantly feeling behind, overwhelmed, or like your time belongs to everyone else, try this:

Pick a time this week (Sunday morning, Friday afternoon, whenever) and ask yourself:

1. What actually needs my attention this week?

   • Write it down. All of it. Then pick the top 3–5 things that matter most.

2. Am I on the right path?

   • Not “am I busy?” but “is what I’m doing moving me towards the life I want?”

3. Any changes needed?

   • What can I say no to? What can I move? What can I delegate or delete?

Then open your calendar and block the time for what matters.

Don’t hope you’ll find time.

Decide where it goes.

Time Is the Only Asset You Can’t Get Back

You can make more money.

You can rebuild a business.

You can move to a new city or country (like I did) or start a new project.

But you can’t get back the weeks you spent reacting instead of building.

That’s why this Sunday routine matters so much.

It’s not about being perfect.

It’s about being intentional and strategic.

Two hours on Sunday can save you twenty hours of wasted time during the week.

And over a year, that’s the difference between reacting and building.

One Small Brave Choice

This Sunday, before the week starts, give yourself 30 minutes.

No distractions. Just you, a coffee, and those three questions:

1. What needs my attention this week?

2. Am I on the right path?

3. Any changes needed?

Write down your answers.

Then block your calendar accordingly.

That’s it.

You don’t need a fancy system.

You just need to decide where your week is going before your week decides it for you.

If you want the full framework on using your time, your job, and your decisions on purpose, that’s exactly what “You’re More Than Your 9-5” walks you through. Real examples, real systems, real choices that quietly changed my life.

You can grab it here.

And this Sunday, ask yourself:

Where is my time actually going this week?

And is that where I want it to go?

Last week, I wrote about why I love money and why it’s okay to admit that. Today I want to show you what that actually looks like in practice.

Because here’s the thing: I still work a 9-5.

Not because I have to in the traditional sense. Not because I can’t imagine another way. But because right now, it’s one of my best tools.

Let me break down what my sala…

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There’s a line I keep coming back to in You’re More Than Your 9–5:

“Admit there is a dream inside you.”

Not “set a goal”.

Not “make a five‑year plan”.

Just admit it.

Because until you do that, everything else is strategy on top of a lie.

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There’s a question I ask in You’re More Than Your 9–5:

“When you picture yourself in your current role five years from now, how do you feel, honestly?”

Not “What do you think?”

Not “What would your manager say?”

Not “What does LinkedIn think?”

How do you feel?

Your body usually answers before your brain does.

The picture you don’t let yourself look at.

Try this for a second.

Close your eyes and imagine it’s five years from today.

Nothing major has changed.

• Same role.

• Same company.

• Same commute.

• Same kind of meetings.

• Same politics.

• Same salary band, maybe slightly higher.

• Same feeling on Sunday night.

Now notice what happens inside you.

Do you feel:

• Relief?

• Neutral?

• Proud?

Or do you feel:

• Tight in your chest?

• Heavy in your stomach?

• A quiet, sinking “oh no” in your head?

Most people never let that picture stay on the screen long enough to see it clearly.

They avoid reality with lines like:

• “I’m lucky even to have a job.”

• “It could be worse.”

• “This is just adult life.”

Gratitude is good.

But gratitude used as a sedative is dangerous.

“Fine” can be the most dangerous place.

A clearly unfulfilled life often forces change.

• A toxic boss you cannot tolerate.

• A salary that doesn’t even cover basics.

• A culture so bad you physically feel sick.

You hit a wall, and something has to give.

But a life that is fine?

That can keep you stuck for decades.

You tell yourself:

• “It’s not that bad.”

• “At least it’s stable.”

• “Other people would love this role.”

Meanwhile, every year you get:

• Slightly more tired.

• Slightly more detached from what you really want.

• Slightly more disconnected from the person you thought you’d be by now.

That’s why I like this five‑year question so much. It cuts through the “fine”.

It forces you to ask:

“Is this my future, or just my current situation?”

Your body knows before your CV does.

When I’ve asked people this question in real life, they don’t reach for spreadsheets.

They go quiet.

Their body answers first:

• A deep breath out.

• A slow shake of the head.

• A nervous laugh.

That’s the truth talking.

Your CV might say:

• “Good role.”

• “Clear progression.”

• “Solid company.”

Your body might say:

• “I can’t do this version of my life for another five years.”

Neither one is lying.

The CV describes your current opportunity.

Your body is describing your actual dream.

You need both to make a real decision.

This isn’t about quitting tomorrow.

When people hear this, they often jump to extremes:

• “So are you saying I should walk out?”

• “Are you anti-9–5?”

• “Not everyone can just leave their job, David.”

I know.

I still work a job.

I still have bills.

I still have responsibilities that do not care about my big ideas.

This question is not about dramatic exits.

It’s about honest direction.

You can have three different answers to it:

1. “Five more years here actually feels right.”

   Great. Then you can:

   • Go all in.

   • Stop secretly beating yourself up for not leaving.

   • Use this role as a tool on purpose.

2. “Five more years here feels okay if some things change.”

   Then your job is to:

   • Change how you show up.

   • Negotiate.

   • Redesign boundaries.

   • Use the role differently.

3. “Five more years here feels wrong.”

   Then you don’t need to quit tomorrow.

   But you do need a plan that respects your reality and your future self.

Ignoring that feeling doesn’t make it go away. It just buries it under Netflix, scrolling on social media, and “maybe next year” thoughts in your head.

The question as a guide, not a judgment.

The five‑year question is not there to shame you.

It’s there to guide you.

Ask yourself:

“If I stay exactly where I am for five more years, what do I gain?

And what do I lose?”

You might gain:

• Financial stability.

• Familiarity.

• A team you like working with.

• A pension, benefits, and experience.

You might lose:

• Your energy.

• Your curiosity.

• A sense of possibility.

• Time you could have spent building something that’s actually yours.

Both paths have trade-offs worth considering.

What matters is being honest with yourself about what you’re choosing.

I’ve been in roles where this question wouldn’t leave me alone.

In cold factories.

In fast-food kitchens.

Later, in a corporate office that looked good on paper but felt suffocating.

Each time, the truth was the same:

“I can’t see myself here in five years and still feel good about who I’m becoming.”

That realisation didn’t solve anything immediately.

But it shifted how I made every choice after that.

If your answer scares you.

If reading this has made something in your chest tighten, that’s okay.

You don’t have to fix your whole life this week.

But I’d invite you to do three small things:

1. Write the answer down, no filter.

Finish this sentence on paper:

“When I picture myself in my current role five years from now, I feel…”

Don’t tidy it up. Don’t make it sound reasonable. Tell yourself the truth.

2. Ask what your future self would thank you for.

   Imagine you, five years older, looking back at today.

   What would they thank you for starting now, even quietly?

   • A course?

   • A conversation?

   • A boundary?

   • A different way of using your salary?

3. Choose one small brave move within the next 30 days.

   Not a leap. A shift.

   • Talk to someone who does the kind of work you’re curious about.

   • Go to one event that belongs to your possible future, not your current routine.

   • Set aside one evening a week for your “other life”.

   • Start learning a skill that increases your options.

Big change is built from lots of small, honest moments like this one.

A question to carry with you.

You can use this question as a filter for the rest of your working life:

“If I stay here for five years, will I feel proud, neutral, or heavy?”

If the answer is proud or neutral, amazing. Use that role on purpose.

If the answer is heavy, don’t panic. But don’t go back to sleep either.

You don’t have to blow up your responsibilities to respect your dream.

You do have to stop pretending that your dream will magically take care of itself while you avoid the one question that keeps telling you the truth.

So I’ll leave you with it, one more time:

When you picture yourself in your current role five years from now, how do you feel?

Your body already knows.

The next small, brave choice is up to you.

For a long time, I wouldn’t have written that sentence.

“I love money.”

It feels wrong, doesn’t it?

Greedy. Shallow. Like you’ve just exposed yourself as the villain in a Netflix documentary.

We are taught to:

• Complain about money.

• Worry about money.

• Pretend we don’t care about money.

But we are rarely taught how to have an honest, healthy relationship with it.

This is my attempt.

I love money. And I’m okay saying it out loud now.

Let me explain.

What I Mean When I Say “I Love Money”

I love what money lets me do.

Money lets me:

• Take care of my family without constant worry.

• Buy back time, so I’m not always at the mercy of my boss.

• Say no to people and situations that go against my values (this is massive).

• Invest in my health, learning, and friendships.

• Give more generously whenever I want.

In other words:

I love money because it supports the things I love more:

Family, freedom, health, travel, growth, and being helpful to other people.

The Problem With “I Don’t Care About Money”

I’ve heard (and said) all the lines:

• “Money isn’t everything.”

• “As long as we’re happy, that’s what matters.”

• “Rich people are miserable anyway.”

Some of that is true. Money is not everything.

But here’s what I’ve seen in my own life and in other people’s:

• When you have no money, it is very hard to think about your dream. You are busy thinking about your bills.

• When you are always behind, your best ideas die because survival mode eats all your energy.

• When you are dependent on one job and one boss, you cannot be fully honest about who you are or what you want. You are too scared to lose your income.

Not caring about money doesn’t make you deep.

It just makes you more vulnerable to bad bosses, bad environments, bad deals, and bad habits because you can’t afford to walk away.

Why We’re Ashamed To Want More

In a lot of cultures, especially working‑class or immigrant ones, there’s a script:

• “Be grateful.”

• “Don’t get too big for your boots.”

• “People like us don’t do that.”

If you start saying:

• “I want to earn more.”

• “I want to invest.”

• “I want choices.”

You risk:

• Making other people uncomfortable.

• Being accused of changing.

• Being seen as “money‑obsessed”.

So you learn to hide it.

You still want it. You just stop talking about it.

You pretend:

• You’re not bothered.

• You’re “not that type of person”.

• You’re “just happy to get by”.

Inside, you’re stressed. You’re juggling. You’re tired of counting down to the next payday.

There is nothing noble about pretending you’re fine when you’re not.

In You’re More Than Your 9–5, I call money my number one practical priority, not my number one value.

Why? Because:

Money is the tool that lets me live my deeper values at a higher level.

Without it, everything else becomes harder:

• Being present with family.

• Take a break when you need one.

• Saying no to toxic work.

• Helping the people you want to help.

Loving money in that way is not greed.

It’s maturity.

A Few Questions For You

If you want to go deeper, here are some questions:

1. What did you hear about money growing up? (Rich people are… People like us don’t…)

2. When you say “I don’t care about money”, what are you actually trying to protect? Your values, or your comfort?

3. If you had all the money you needed, what would change first in your ordinary week?

4. What is one small, brave money decision you could make this month that your future self would be grateful for?

5. If you whispered “I love money, and I want more of it” to yourself, what feelings come up? Shame, excitement, fear, possibility?

You don’t have to post your answers anywhere.

But you owe yourself the honesty.

One Small Brave Choice

I’m not asking you to become obsessed with money.

I’m asking you to stop lying to yourself about it.

To say, if only in your own head for now:

“I love what money can do for my life and the people I care about.

I’m willing to learn it, respect it, and use it on purpose.”

Then, make one small brave choice:

• Read a book about money instead of another scrolling session on social media.

• Start a tiny automatic transfer to savings or debt.

• Learn one new thing about investing, property, or freedom vehicles that actually fit your life.

You are not shallow for caring about money.

You are smart for finally deciding to have a relationship with it.