Walt Hampton, J.D.

Creating the Work & Life You LOVE

Ten Thousand Hours Of Resting

by Walt | Jan 30, 2025 | Success | 1 Comment

You’ve heard of the 10,000 hour rule, yes?

Researched by Anders Ericsson and popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, the 10,000 hour rule suggests that in order to become an expert at something, you need to devote 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to the discipline.

Did you know that the 10,000 hour rule pertains to rest as well?

I didn’t think so.

Because, culturally, success has become defined by how long and hard you work.

“Busy” has become a badge of honor.

Yet… you’re not a machine.

You can’t keep going 24/7/365.

(You wouldn’t do that to your car. Or to your dog.)

It’s not sustainable.

The need for rest is axiomatic; it’s in the research… but few dare talk about it.

Athletes know it. Artists and entertainers know it.

And in your bones, you know it.

You actually need to rest.

Rest is a core component of success you want.

Rest makes you stronger. Better. Sharper. More resilient.

Able to do the work you’re meant to do in the world.

Able to serve the people you’re meant to serve.

Able to truly enjoy this magnificent gift that is your life.

So, yes, play full out. Devote the 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to your craft.

But don’t forget the rest.

Guard It Well

by Walt | Jan 23, 2025 | Success | 2 Comments

Attention is a form of currency.

It is precious. Limited.

And everyone wants it.

Social media. Streaming platforms. Breaking news.

Every ad. Every alert. Every notification. All designed to capture your focus.

When you “pay” attention, you are spending a piece of yourself.

Your energy. Your presence. Your time.

The market is relentless. It does not care about your well-being. It does not care about your peace.

Its goal is to keep you hooked. Distracted. Overwhelmed. Exhausted.

But you can resist.

Start with awareness. Notice what draws you in.

Set boundaries. Limit notifications. Mute distractions. Create sacred spaces where attention can rest.

Be deliberate. Focus on what matters most. Family. Friends. Your goals. Your well-being.

Every choice adds up. Every moment matters.

Protect your attention. Treat it like the treasure it is.

Because where your attention goes, your life follows.

Be mindful. Stay present.

Don’t let the world steal this precious gift from you.

Nonrefundable

by Walt | Jan 16, 2025 | Success | 2 Comments

Time is precious.

We talk about spending it, just like we spend money. But unlike money, time cannot be earned back. Once spent, it’s gone forever.

That makes it our most valuable resource.

Yet, too often, we spend it carelessly. On tasks that don’t matter. On obligations that drain us. On distractions that numb us.

Why?

Because we think we’ll have more. More time to finish that project. More time to repair that relationship. More time to chase that dream.

But someday doesn’t always come.

Time slips through our fingers. The days turn into weeks. The weeks into years. Suddenly, we look back and wonder where it all went.

What if we saw time differently? As a gift. As finite. As irreplaceable.

Would we spend it differently?

Maybe we’d say no to the trivial and yes to what matters most. To the people we love. The passions that light us up. The moments that make life rich.

Time is not refundable.

Spend it with intention. Spend it wisely. Spend it on what you’ll cherish forever.

Because when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Make it count.

Need help making it count? Email me.

The Best Is Yet To Come

by Walt | Jan 9, 2025 | Success | 0 Comments

You’ve done everything right. Checked all the boxes. Built a life others admire. But still, something feels off.

It’s subtle at first. A quiet voice whispering: “Is this all there is?”

You try to ignore it. Keep going. Push harder. But the voice grows louder. It doesn’t let go. Because deep down, you know: You’re at a crossroads. And the clock is ticking.

The crossroads feels daunting. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But stepping into something new? It feels risky.

What if it doesn’t work out? What if you fail? What if you regret leaving the comfort of what you know?

These questions keep you stuck. You tell yourself there’s still time. That you’ll make the leap someday. But time doesn’t wait. And here’s the truth: The longer you wait, the louder the regret becomes. Because deep down, you don’t want to settle. You don’t want to reach the end of your life wondering, “What if?”

But what if there’s another way? What if this crossroads isn’t the end of something—but the beginning? A chance to rewrite your story. To take everything you’ve built—your experience, your wisdom, your passion—and use it to create something new. Something that feels alive. Something that lights you up. Something that feels like it really matters.

This isn’t about abandoning your past. It’s about building on it. Shaping the next chapter with intention. The best part? It’s not too late. Not even close.

Of course, it won’t be easy. New beginnings never are. But here’s the secret: You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step. One small move toward what excites you. Toward what feels deeply meaningful.

It might be messy at first. Uncomfortable. Even scary. But that’s where growth happens. In the discomfort. In the stretch. And as you move forward, the path will become clearer. Because the life you’re longing for? It’s waiting for you to claim it.

The truth is, you are always becoming. If you choose: To step into the unknown; to stop waiting for the perfect moment; to stop letting fear hold you back.

And you know: The clock is ticking.

As Oliver Wendell Holmes reminds us: “Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it time runs out.”

Don’t let that be your story. Your music is still inside you. A melody only you can create. A song that’s waiting to be sung. So take the first step. Start today. Because your next chapter? It’s waiting for you.

Want help? Email me: [email protected]

How You Really Want It

by Walt | Jan 2, 2025 | Success | 0 Comments

The New Year is here. A fresh start. A blank page.

For many, this is the time for setting goals and planning.

And yes, of course, planning is important. Because, with a clear plan, you increase your odds of achieving your goals significantly.

But I have some important questions for you: Are the goals you’re chasing after the ones you really want? Are they the ones that make your heart sing?

In our success-driven hustle culture, we’re all surrounded by the call for more. Bigger. Better. Faster. 10xing everything.

And before you know it, you’ve lost your way.

“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall,” Trappist monk and author Thomas Merton once said.

It’s a haunting image. A life full of effort and achievement. Only to realize it wasn’t your wall. It was someone else’s goal; someone else’s dream.

The world loves success stories.

But real success starts with this question: How do I want my life to be?

Not just your work life. Or your financial life. But your life.

This question shifts everything. It invites reflection. Alignment. Purpose.

So my invitation to you as we move into the New Year is this: Pause. Take a breath. Ask yourself:

What truly matters to me?
Who do I want to be?
How do I want my days to feel?

This isn’t about rejecting ambition. It’s about clarity.

Goals are only worth pursuing if they lead to a life that feels whole.

Maybe this year isn’t about doing more.

Maybe it’s about doing what matters.

Take the time to choose your wall. Lean your ladder against something that feels solid. Something that aligns with your heart and soul.

Because a meaningful life isn’t about how high you climb.

It’s about where you’re climbing to.

This year, start with the right question. Build from there.

And may you find joy, peace, and purpose in every step.

May it be so.

____________________________________________

If you’d like help with your ladder, email me: [email protected]

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