Be intentional

I grew up in a family where work was synonymous with responsibility, progression, and integrity. My parents were the first generation in their families to earn university degrees—and they did it during one of Argentina’s most turbulent times under a de facto government. They put in the hard work to make life easier for my sisters and me.

That explains why, for me, education and work are more than values; they’re core to my identity. That mindset shaped the early years of my career: work hard, be responsible, stay committed, and grow.

And it works. If you work hard and deliver results, you’ll get what you want: promotions, recognition, higher salaries, and status.

But there’s something I wish I had learned much earlier: in the end, work is not as important as it’s supposed to be.

Ethan Evans, a former Amazon Vice President, put it perfectly: “Careers are great, but they will not love you back.” I’d love to have written that myself, but thanks, Ethan, for doing it anyway!

Keeping that perspective is key to managing both your career and the things that truly matter—family, friends, health, or whatever fills your heart and keeps you grounded.

I’ve seen, up close, people with extraordinary careers and incredible jobs but also miserable lives. In some cases, those same jobs caused their greatest pain. Regret they couldn’t undo, no matter how much money or prestige they earned. Of course, this doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s more common than you might think.

So, am I saying you should care less about your job? Work fewer hours? Commit less? Not at all, amigo.

What I’m saying is this: be thoughtful about what really matters.

The things you’ll regret if you lose them.

The moments that make you cry when they go wrong.

The priorities that would have you on the next flight across the world if something happened.

Now, hold those things up against your biggest work project, your coveted promotion, or that big bonus.

Keep things in perspective.

Work is one pixel in the big picture of your life. It’s important, but don’t let it take up the whole frame.

It’s easier to recover from a bad performance review than a bad moment with your loved ones. The recognition of people you love will always outweigh the applause of colleagues you barely know.

Keep learning. Keep improving. But do it for yourself. Do it because it aligns with the life you want to live, not just the job you happen to have today.

Be intentional.

Don’t let work define you. Define work’s place in your life.