An Important Life Lesson From Google's CFO

Many have now read or heard about Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette’s announcement of his resignation, in which he shared a rather heart-warming message as to why now was the time to do so.

His announcement this week has created quite the buzz, and not just because he’s one of Google’s top executives leaving the company. The bigger buzz is around why he is leaving: to make time for other areas of his life outside of his work for Google.

This seems to have stirred up feelings for many.

I’ve heard from some, “Oh, it must be nice. Of course you can do that when you have Google money.”

I’ve heard from others, “Wow, that’s so inspiring. I know many who have the money and still don’t or wouldn’t make that choice.”

And then I’ve heard from others, “Wow, that’s inspiring…and how does that translate to my own life—to my own choices right now?”

It’s the last line of thinking I want to focus on here.

You don’t have to have “Google money” to make the choice (or choices) to give time in your life to things outside of your work. You don’t have to quit your job or career to give time in your days for things outside of your work.

Yes, for Patrick Pichette, this was his choice and he does have the luxury and ability to make this choice in a grand way.

But you, the person who may not have Google money in the bank to quit your job today in order to make room and time for other things…

…you DO have this.

You have daily, weekly, monthly and yearly opportunities to make choices that allow you to pursue things outside of your work; to make time and take time:

• For interests or hobbies not associated with your work
• For trips and vacations to explore, rest, relax and recharge
• To spend with your spouse or kids
• For activities that support your overall health and well-being (i.e. exercising, eating healthy, meditation, sleeping)

You can choose to put all of your time, attention and energy eggs into your one work basket for many years with the hope that one day—later in life—you will have enough money to then put all of your time, attention and energy eggs into your other life baskets. You can choose that. Lots of people do.

Or, you can start asking yourself now:

When is it my time, TODAY?

When is it my spouses time, TODAY?

When is it my kids’ time, TODAY?”

What if you never make it to “later in life” and you never get a chance to put your eggs into your other baskets?

How can you give your time and energy to the other areas of your life in small ways each day?

For my husband last night, it was saying no to a last-minute meeting request someone was trying to schedule at the same time he needed to walk out the door in order to make it home for a date we had planned.

For a client of mine, it’s the 15 minute meditation break he takes in the midst of his very busy day running a successful advertising agency.

For a family member of mine, it was telling a client that he wouldn’t be able to get him something until later in the week because he was taking the weekend off to spend time with my family while he was in town.

For a friend, it was turning off her phone when she got home from work so she could fully be present with the kids until they went to bed.

When is it time to live what matters to you most? In the future when you have enough money saved up that you can quit your job? Or today?