MattBuildsFreedom

MattBuildsFreedom
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Self-Improvement

Building a life outside the 9-5. SaaS sales by day. Property investor by choice. Helping others in corporate whilst staying in corporate. Sharing the real journey - wins, mistakes, numbers, and lessons as I build real freedom. Note: Not an expert, just a human. mattventurist.substack.com

  1. Feb 5

    Rose-Tinted Doubt

    I've recently changed jobs. Not in a dramatic, burn-the-bridges kind of way. More in the quiet, unsettling way where the decision makes sense on paper, but your emotions lag behind. It wasn’t an easy call. I had to weigh everything: pay, trajectory, work–life balance, identity, the social side. And because it wasn’t easy, my mind keeps inviting doubt back in. Any crack in the logic, any nostalgic feeling, and I’m open to re-litigating the whole thing. When doubt creeps in, it tends to wear rose-tinted glasses. I catch myself focusing on the positives of what I left. The laughs. The familiarity. The people. Especially the people. When you leave a job, you don’t just leave work - you leave a small social ecosystem that once gave your weeks shape. And when I miss that social side, I’m not lying to myself. It was there. But when I sit with it properly - not nostalgically, but honestly - the picture changes. I’ve started thinking about companies as ships. Every company is a ship heading somewhere, whether that direction is clear or not. Strategy, leadership, incentives, culture - they all determine the course. My colleagues… are my crew. Some ships are old and knackered, in need of serious repair. Others look sleek and prestigious but are quietly sailing toward places you don’t want to end up. From the outside, it’s easy to admire the paintwork. The ship I was on had a strong crew. Smart people. Funny people. People I genuinely liked. The social side was real. But the conditions mattered too. And if I’m honest, a lot of that socialising felt like being shackled in the lower deck together - drinking, laughing, bonding - while knowing the ship itself wasn’t heading somewhere good. We weren’t celebrating because things were great. We were coping together. There’s a strange comfort in that kind of shared struggle. When everyone around you feels the same tension, the same frustration, it becomes normal. Even bonding. You stop questioning the conditions because at least you’re not alone in them. That’s the part rose-tinted glasses leave out. Yes, the social side existed. But it existed within a set of constraints that weren’t healthy - long-term uncertainty, misaligned direction, a sense of drift. The laughter didn’t cancel that out; it just made it easier to tolerate for a while. Changing ships means giving that up. It means quieter days. Fewer instant jokes. Less of that “we’re in this together” energy. And that absence can feel like loss, even if the trade was intentional. But there’s also something clarifying about stepping onto a vessel with a clearer heading. Even if the journey is lonelier at first. I think doubt often shows up not because a decision was wrong, but because it was meaningful. Easy decisions don’t haunt you. The ones that force you to weigh trade-offs do. So when I notice myself idealising the past, I’m trying to zoom out. To remember the whole ship, not just the crew below deck. To ask where it was actually going - and whether I’d choose that destination again, knowing what I know now. Most of the time, the answer is no. And that doesn’t mean the memories were fake. It just means they weren’t the full story. Sometimes growth looks less like excitement and more like choosing better conditions I guess - even if the bar is quieter, the laughter slower, and the adjustment uncomfortable. Ships change. Crews rotate. Directions matter. And occasionally, doubt is just nostalgia asking for a voice - not a verdict. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    4 min

  2. 05/27/2025

    When Work Becomes Too Big in Your Head

    27th May 2025 — It’s been a while since I wrote one of these. Funny how writing is always the thing I know helps me most… and yet, it’s the first thing to go quiet when life feels heavier. This is me getting back to it. And maybe, in doing so, reminding myself why I started in the first place. The other day, I caught myself caring way too much about something at work. Like, properly overthinking it. Spiralling. Letting it take up more space in my mind than it deserved. And the truth is—it’s not the first time. If you're ambitious or driven, it's dangerously easy to let work feel like life. But that’s where the trap begins. The dangerous microcosm Work is weird. It’s this tiny little ecosystem that starts to feel like the entire world. Deadlines. Praise. Slack messages. That one colleague’s passive-aggressive comment. Suddenly, your worth feels like it lives and dies in those moments. Zoom out, and it’s just one slice of your life. Zoom in, and it becomes your whole identity. Caring is good, until it’s not Don’t get me wrong—I’m not preaching apathy. Caring is what gets you progress. Recognition. Pay rises. It’s what makes you reliable and sharp. But too much care becomes stress. You start chasing approval. You react emotionally to things that don’t really matter. You start becoming of the job, not just in the job. The values check-in This is when you need to pause and ask:What do I actually value? For me, it’s freedom, growth, stimulation. None of those things require obsessing over emails or politics. They require clarity, strategy, and consistent progress. Let me lift a weight off your should if you're anything like me… It’s okay to care. Just make sure you’re caring about the right things. Complacency is the other trap Let’s not swing too far the other way. Some people don’t care enough—and they stagnate. They get underpaid, overlooked, and bored. Then blame the system for it. So yeah, care. Put the reps in. Just don’t make work the god you worship. My reminder to self (and maybe to you too) This week I had to catch myself. I was letting something small feel massive. I had to take a walk, zoom out, and remember: This is not my life. It’s just a part of it. And when I remembered that—I was free to return with a clearer head. Still focused. Still ambitious. But with better boundaries. — Have a great rest of the day 🌿 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    3 min

  3. 03/24/2025

    The Ships We Choose...

    I decided to do something a little different here and write a poem - and I hope you like it! Don't forget that if you like my writing, and you want to support me, you can subscribe for free below. A corporate company is like a massive ship, steady, slow to turn, but built to weather storms. You’re part of the crew, keeping things running, but the course is set by hands you’ll never see. Over time, you wonder if your effort matters— if your work changes the direction, or if you’re just another cog, moving but never steering. So, you look to smaller ships. A tighter crew, quicker turns, where your role feels bigger, the impact more immediate. But even there, the waters can feel familiar. Different ship, same horizon. Then comes the urge to set sail alone. Your own boat, your own rules. The thrill of control, the pride of ownership. But the sea is vast, and silence stretches longer than you expect. No camaraderie, no shared victories— just the open water and your thoughts. You might build the boat into something bigger, gather a crew, chart a new course. But you don’t build just for growth. What you really crave, what we all crave, is the companionship that comes with it. And no matter the ship— corporate, small, or your own— there are always storms. Days where the wind fights you, the journey feels endless, and the horizon stays out of reach. There’s no perfect ship. But the right crew can make any voyage worth it. — I hope you enjoyed this little poem - Have a great rest of the day 🌿 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    1 min

  4. 03/21/2025

    The Power of Outcome Over Effort

    If you like my writing feel free to pledge your support by subscribing below! I think we’ve all been there: burning the midnight oil, putting in the hours, doing everything right, yet still watching others succeed while we’re stuck. It’s frustrating, right? It’s like you’re giving everything you’ve got, but it’s just not paying off. And then you see people who barely seem to try, and somehow, they’re ahead. The truth is, I used to think that the more effort you put in, the more you’d get out. It was a pretty black-and-white mindset, and one I had to break through to level up. But over time, I’ve come to realise that effort alone doesn’t always equal success. What really makes the difference is learning how to focus on outcomes—not just effort. The Shift From Effort to Outcome When I started my career, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I was just grinding—working hard inside and outside of work, thinking that if I put in the hours, things would work out. And in some ways, it did. Comparing my financial success from when I was in my apprenticeship to software sales—I ended up making five times what I was earning in my first year. But I also remember the frustration of watching others who weren’t working nearly as hard, yet they were getting similar or even better results. It wasn’t until I got into sales that the pieces started falling into place. That’s when I learned how to sell myself, how to negotiate, and most importantly, how to focus on what actually matters. In a well-cultured sales team, no one cares how many calls you make or how many emails you send—it’s about what you close. At the end of the day, the number speak for themselves. And I think that’s when I really started to get it. In everything else too—whether it’s self-promotion, finding the right opportunities, or doing the things that actually move the needle—it’s about directing your energy and effort where it counts. Effort Is Only Half the Story We’ve all heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder,” but it didn’t really click for me until I’d put in years of hard work. What I realised was that effort doesn’t always translate into impact. You can work crazy hard and still be in the same place if you’re not working on the right things. The key shift came when I started asking myself: What’s the highest-leverage task I can do right now? It’s like the 80/20 rule - 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. The most successful people aren’t the ones grinding for hours—they’re the ones who identify the tasks, relationships, and moments that matter most. I think that’s the point where most of us get caught up—we don’t realise that not all tasks are created equal. Some things make a huge impact, others don’t. The “Busy” Trap vs. Focused Effort One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is about how we define busy. In many work environments, people are judged by how much they’re doing, not by how well they’re doing it. I’ve worked in places where managers would rather see you working hard all day than see you pause and think strategically. But here's the thing: that’s a trap. There’s a difference between doing things just to be busy and doing the right things that create meaningful outcomes. And the frustrating thing is that most people don’t realise this until they’ve already spent too much time spinning their wheels. What I’ve realised is that sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a step back and ask: Is what I’m doing right now actually moving me forward? How This Mindset Changed My Approach (And Can Change Yours) Once I figured this out, it was like a switch flipped. I stopped focusing on how much I was working and started focusing on what I was working on. Whether it’s in sales, personal growth, or even just making decisions about my future, I now spend way more time considering the outcome rather than the effort it takes to get there. And here’s the thing—when you stop measuring your success by the effort you put in, you free yourself up for more creativity, strategic thinking, and even relaxation. It’s kind of wild how much better things flow when you stop trying to outwork everyone and start focusing on the right things. Why Both Matter: The Ultimate Combination Of course, it’s not all about outcomes. You can’t just skip the effort part altogether. The truth is, you need both: effort and outcome. The difference is that the effort you put in should be targeted, meaningful, and well-directed. And when you combine that with a focus on outcomes, that’s when things really click. Looking back, I can see how my journey—putting in the effort early on, learning the ropes, figuring out where my energy is best spent—has been key. But once I understood how to focus that effort on the right things, that’s when I started to really see the results. Final Thoughts If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s that effort alone won’t get you where you want to go. You need to focus on outcomes, leverage your time wisely, and stop getting caught in the trap of just being busy. Once you start thinking in terms of outcomes, it changes everything. The grind still matters, but it’s only part of the equation. If you’ve been stuck in the grind, frustrated by the lack of results, maybe it’s time to start shifting your focus. Think about where you’re directing your effort. Work smarter. Work with purpose. And when you finally unlock that combination of effort and outcome, that’s when the real magic happens. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    5 min

  5. 03/18/2025

    Paralysed By Choice.

    Thanks for taking the time to be here, right now. If you want more of my writing, feel free to Subscribe! I’ve always struggled with this. The endless weighing up of options, the mental loop of what ifs, the fear that I might not be choosing the best path. Whether it’s big life decisions—career moves, business ideas, where to live—or small things like picking a restaurant, I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit stuck in indecision. And if you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. We live in a world of infinite choices. More than ever, we have access to career paths, investment strategies, places to travel, people to date, and hobbies to explore. Logically, this should be a good thing. But instead of making life easier, too much choice can leave us paralysed. This is the trap of opportunity cost obsession—and it keeps us stuck. Why More Choices Make Decisions Harder There’s a famous study in psychology called the jam experiment (Iyengar & Lepper, 2000). Researchers set up a tasting table at a supermarket, offering either 6 or 24 different flavours of jam. With 24 jams, more people stopped to look, but fewer actually made a purchase. When only 6 jams were available, more people made a decision and bought something. Why? Because too many choices create decision fatigue. Our brains struggle to compare multiple options, and instead of picking one, we hesitate—or worse, walk away entirely. This plays out in real life all the time: * You scroll endlessly on Netflix, unable to choose what to watch. * You spend weeks debating job offers, fearing one might be better than the other. * You overanalyse different business ideas, never actually starting anything. We don’t want to make a bad choice, so we make no choice at all. And yet, the irony is that no decision is often worse than a suboptimal one. Opportunity Cost vs. Action: What Really Matters? Opportunity cost—the idea that choosing one thing means missing out on another—is useful in economics. But in day-to-day life, obsessing over opportunity cost can turn into avoidance. When we fixate on what we might be missing, we lose sight of what we’re gaining. * We fear making a mistake. What if we regret our choice? * We assume there’s a perfect option. What if there’s a better alternative just out of reach? * We mistake thinking for progress. Analysing our choices feels productive, but at some point, it becomes an excuse not to act. And the longer we wait, the more we lose: time, momentum, and the lessons that only come from taking action. The Sweet Spot: Why Fewer (But Not Too Few) Choices Work Best Studies show that a medium number of choices is ideal—not too many, not too few. Barry Schwartz, in The Paradox of Choice, explains that having too few choices makes us feel trapped, but having too many makes us anxious. The trick is to limit options to a reasonable number, make a decision, and move forward. A few ways to apply this in real life: * Limit your choices upfront. * Job hunting? Pick 3-5 companies to apply to, not 20. * Picking a gym? Visit 2-3, then decide. * Choosing what to eat? Give yourself a few go-to meals instead of scanning endless delivery apps. * Set a time limit for decisions. * Instead of overanalysing for weeks, give yourself a deadline: I’ll decide by Friday. * When time’s up, make the best choice you can with the information available. * Trust that action creates clarity. * Most choices are not permanent. You can switch careers, pivot businesses, or adjust your routine. * You won’t know if a path is right until you start walking it. The Real Cost of Overthinking I’ve wasted too much time trying to find the “perfect” choice. And looking back, I don’t remember the choices themselves—I remember the frustration of being stuck. But when I finally decided? Even if it wasn’t the best option, I was moving. Learning. Adjusting. The biggest opportunity cost isn’t choosing the wrong path—it’s standing still. So pick a route. Walk it fully. If it’s not right, you’ll adjust. But the worst thing you can do is nothing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    4 min

  6. 03/15/2025

    The Art of Intentional Wandering

    Thanks for taking the time out of your day to read my writing. The best way to support me right now is to subscribe below! When we think of adventure, we often picture something grand—backpacking through South America, quitting a job to travel the world, or climbing mountains. But what if adventure didn’t have to be extreme? What if the thrill of discovery could be woven into everyday life? This is where intentional wandering comes in. What Does It Mean To ‘Intentionally Wander’? Intentional wandering is the act of embracing curiosity on purpose—choosing to step outside routine, even in small ways, to explore the world with fresh eyes. It’s about breaking habits, noticing the details we usually overlook, and allowing serendipity to shape our experiences. Unlike mindless distraction, intentional wandering isn’t about aimlessly drifting. It’s about creating space for new experiences—without a rigid plan—so that discovery becomes a natural part of life. Why It Matters. In a world obsessed with optimisation, efficiency, and routine, it’s easy to fall into predictable patterns. While structure is helpful, too much of it can make life feel stale. Wandering—physically, mentally, or socially—keeps things fresh. * It makes life more interesting. When you break routine, even in small ways, you give yourself a chance to experience something new. * It cultivates mindfulness. Wandering forces you to slow down, notice details, and be present. * It opens doors you never knew existed. Some of the best ideas, friendships, and opportunities come from simply being open to the unexpected. How to Practice Intentional Wandering The good news? You don’t need to book a flight to embrace this mindset. Here are a few ways to start: 1. Take a Different Path (Literally) Next time you’re walking somewhere—whether it’s your commute, a workout, or a trip to the store—take a different route. Notice new details. Let yourself explore without a strict destination in mind. 2. Try Something Unfamiliar Order something you wouldn’t usually get at a restaurant. Read a book from a genre you never touch. Listen to a random playlist. The key is to let yourself experience the unfamiliar, even in small doses. 3. Have Unplanned Conversations Talk to a stranger in a coffee shop. Ask a colleague about something outside of work. Strike up a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally connect with. You never know where it might lead. 4. Let Curiosity Be Your Guide Give yourself permission to follow curiosity wherever it leads. Stumble upon an interesting topic? Dive in. See something intriguing while out for a walk? Go check it out. The goal isn’t efficiency—it’s exploration. 5. Set a Small Challenge Try something like: * "Say yes to the next unexpected invitation." * "Take a different route home once a week." * "Visit a place in your city you've never been to." * "Learn something new every day for a week." The Magic of Small Adventures A few years ago, I took an unplanned detour on a walk and ended up stumbling into a hidden café that became one of my favorite spots. A conversation with a stranger led to a new perspective I’d never considered. None of these moments were life-changing on their own, but together, they made life richer. Intentional wandering isn’t about chasing big, cinematic adventures. It’s about seeing this moment—right here, right now—as an opportunity for exploration. What’s One Small Way You Can Wander Today? I challenge you: pick one way to embrace intentional wandering today. Then, come back and share—where did it take you? Adventure is closer than we think. We just have to choose to step into it. — Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of the day 🌿 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    4 min

  7. 03/07/2025

    Avoiding Lifestyle Creep

    Most people focus on how much they earn. I realised from a young age that how much you keep is what really matters. Lifestyle creep is subtle. You don’t wake up one day and decide to double your expenses - it happens in small, justifiable steps: * A slightly nicer flat because “I deserve it.” * More eating out because “what’s £50 here and there?” * Upgrading things just because you can, not because they add real value. And once those new comforts become normal, it’s hard to go back. I’ve been thinking a lot about this because, in my 20s, I managed to save over £100K. That’s not through some high-flying salary or entrepreneurial success, but just by avoiding lifestyle creep and being intentional with money. At the start, I lived very frugally. I even downloaded an app that earned me £10 a year from uploading receipts - not because it made a huge difference, but because it kept me in the habit of questioning every cost. And the numbers add up. The Hidden Power of Avoiding Unnecessary Costs Every pound saved is actually more than a pound earned. Especially in the UK, where: * Earnings over £50K are taxed at 40%. * An effective ‘60% trap’ kicks in between £100K and £125k. That means saving £500 is like earning £833 (or more) before tax. And if you consistently make decisions like that, it adds up to thousands - without needing to work extra hours. What If We Measured Savings Like Earnings? I’ve started thinking of this in terms of time saved. If I make a quick decision that avoids £200 in unnecessary costs, that’s like earning £250+ before tax in a few minutes. If that same £250+ would have taken me, say, 5 hours of work to earn, then in a way, I just “earned” £40 an hour - without lifting a finger. When we look at it this way, small financial decisions start to feel much more powerful. Why This Matters More Than Ever In a world where earning more is taxed heavily, keeping what you earn might be the most important financial skill. And it’s not about extreme frugality - it’s about keeping your baseline low so that every extra pound goes towards freedom, not just covering a higher cost of living. It’s something I think about a lot in my own work with coaching. Career growth is important, but so is designing a life where money isn’t a source of stress - where your finances give you options instead of obligations. — Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend. Oh, and if you like my writing, please feel free to subscribe, it helps a bunch! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    3 min

  8. 03/04/2025

    Gamifying Life – The Cheat Code for Success

    If you like my writing, feel free to Subscribe. It's free and supports me a bunch! Gaming and the Power of Play Gaming has been a hobby of mine for about 20 years now. If that surprises you, it’s probably because gaming has picked up a bit of a negative reputation over the years. We have this stereotypical image of what a "gamer" looks like, and it’s rarely a flattering one. But if we really think about it, the desire to play has been hardwired into us since birth; whether it’s video games, board games, or just the simple joy of figuring something out. For some of us, we've lost that connection to play and are trying to find our way back - to those times when life felt lighter, when challenges felt exciting rather than exhausting. You see, that sense of play can spark excitement, even in the hardest tasks. In games, every quest has a clear goal. Every challenge overcome is rewarded with cheers. And progress is always visible. That’s what makes them so engaging. But in real life? Most of our day-to-day tasks don’t feel anything like that. Bringing Play into Work When I started working from home in my latest job, I realised I needed some sense of play or adventure in my work - it was pretty mundane on the surface. There was no XP bar filling up, no “level up” moment after a successful day. Tasks blurred together, and motivation felt like something I had to force. I knew that if I didn’t change something, I’d burn out again - and fast. Music has always helped me focus, so I decided to run an experiment. I put on a video game soundtrack -something dramatic, something that made me feel like I was stepping into a grand mission. For reference, it started off as ambience music from Skyrim & Fallout 4. Then, I changed my approach. Instead of just finding prospects on LinkedIn, I imagined myself as an explorer, tracking down hidden opportunities, uncovering leads like a detective piecing together clues. Every email sent was a strategic move, every call a boss fight, every closed deal a level-up. And it worked. Suddenly, my work felt more engaging, and even the most mundane tasks had a sense of purpose. Gamifying Everyday Life Outside of work, we can find these micro-games to play in life. Fitness? Turn your step count into a high score to beat. Make workouts feel like training arcs. Streaks become unbreakable quests. Daily habits? Track progress like XP—each task completed fills the bar, and you can see yourself leveling up. Chores? Race against the clock or see how efficiently you can complete them, turning the mundane into something engaging. Here’s the thing - we’re wired for this. We crave progress, challenges, and rewards. When we bring that mindset into real life, motivation stops being a struggle. Gamification makes things feel effortless because it turns discipline into play, and it shifts our focus from having to do something to wanting to win. You Are Your Perception Most days, I listen to game music while I work to gamify the job, and I can say without a doubt - it makes the day so much more enjoyable. Even the dullest tasks feel fun. And that got me thinking about perception. We often believe our reality is fixed, but the truth is, we experience the world through the lens of our own thoughts. How we choose to see something - a task, a person, a job - always trumps the reality of it. We create the world around us in our own minds. So why not choose to see things in a way that serves us. What challenge could you turn into an adventure? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

    4 min
See All (36)

About

Building a life outside the 9-5. SaaS sales by day. Property investor by choice. Helping others in corporate whilst staying in corporate. Sharing the real journey - wins, mistakes, numbers, and lessons as I build real freedom. Note: Not an expert, just a human. mattventurist.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    MattBuildsFreedom
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © MattBuildsFreedom
  • Show Website
    MattBuildsFreedom