How I Do Big Things Without Losing Myself

I've been asked “Do you ever sleep?  I hear it often, and it’s usually asked with a mix of admiration and concern.

The truth is: I have burned out before. After COVID, tourism exploded in our small town and my restaurant was overwhelmed. Sales were through the roof—but I was working non-stop. Staffing was a nightmare, and I couldn’t keep up. It took over a year to feel normal again.

That experience taught me something critical: ambition without boundaries will break you.

I’m still ambitious. I still go after big dreams. But I’ve built a life that lets me feel it along the way. I want slow mornings, joyful meals, meaningful conversations, and time to walk barefoot through the dahlia field. I want a life that breathes.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Take care of my body. I walk, run, or exercise daily—outdoors whenever possible. It’s not punishment, it’s freedom.

2. Let my mornings be luxurious. Slow breakfast. Quiet thinking. Moving through my house unrushed sets the tone for everything else.

3. Sleep is non-negotiable. Eight hours a night. I don’t sacrifice rest anymore.

4. When fatigue hits, I listen. I don’t push through exhaustion. If I feel it, I rest.

5. I plan time for soul activities. Lunch with a friend. Gardening. Staring at flowers. Anything that helps me feel connected.

6. I write down big problems. If I’m unsure what to do, I jot it down: “Think about ___” or “Decide what to do about ___.” Then I let my subconscious work on it while I live my life.

7. I trust my subconscious. The most underused part of ourselves. The answers usually come while I’m out walking or resting. Allowing problems to just be and patiently wait for the answers is a skill I've honed. 

8. Keep life simple and purposeful. If I travel, it’s for rest, family, or meaningful work. 

9. Family always comes first. If someone I love needs to talk, I stop what I’m doing. They have my full attention.

10. Use tools that hold the mental load.  I use Trello and ConnectTeam to keep me and our little team on task.

11. Do the hard stuff early. I do my hardest thinking and least favorite jobs in the morning when I’m fresh.

12. Hire great people. People who care. People who try. People with vision. It matters.

13. Plan with intention. I do 10-year, 5-year, 3-year, 1-year, monthly, and weekly planning, and then don't worry about it. Big dreams become bite-sized tasks.

14. Honor Sunday nights. Each week, I create a “master list,” revisit leftovers from the week before, and schedule them by day.

15. Use power-focused blocks. A 3-hour uninterrupted block with a clear plan? Magic.

16. I Fill My Heart and Mind with Messages That Matter One of the most important things I do—especially when the world feels heavy—is choose what I let in. The world will try to convince you that nothing is possible, that you’re too much, or that you’re doing life wrong. I don't listen.

Instead, I surround myself with voices and messages that remind me: my work is good, my life is meaningful, and who I am is meant to be here.

Whether it’s a podcast, a quiet voice note I recorded for myself, or a THIS SONG I play on repeat, I make sure the sound around me strengthens what’s already inside me.

• Let unplanned tasks hijack my day. I have boundaries.

• Keep my phone next to me all day. It’s off or silenced when I’m focused.

• Answer messages when I’m with someone I care about. Presence matters.

• Drink much. Alcohol costs me the next day, and I don’t want to lose a single one.

• Spend too much time on errands I dislike. Hair appointments? I use the processing time to knock out admin tasks or calls.

• Shame myself. Life is a work in progress. I take one small step at a time.

• Compare seasons. Moms of littles often say they envy my output. I remind them—this is just a different season. Be gentle with yourself.

I believe ambition and slowness can coexist—but it takes commitment. You have to cut out what drains you, prioritize peace, and stop apologizing for protecting your energy.

That’s what Wendi’s Good Things Market is all about. Building a soulful life where you can still do beautiful, bold things… without losing the best parts of yourself.

Thanks for reading. I hope this encourages you to choose your own version of a beautiful, paced life.