Don't Build a Future That Costs You the Life You're Living Right Now

You have a vision for your future. A business you want to grow. A career goal you’re working toward. A life you’ve been praying about. But how much of your present are you putting on hold until you get there?

You tell yourself. The conversation can wait. Rest can wait. Time with the people you love can wait. You’ll take care of yourself when things settle down. There is always another reason to keep pushing. Eventually, we have to ask what that way of living is asking of us.

Why this conversation is personal

I’m Shantrice, owner of ENOM-HC™, a nurse, educator, leader, and survivor of burnout and related depression. I know what it means to be committed to your work while losing room for yourself. In November 2024, I walked away from a role I had once connected to my purpose, comfort, and stability.

That experience helped shape the work I do today. Through ENOM-HC™, my purpose is to empower women, men, leaders, teams, and organizations with tools and resources to heal, thrive, and lead personally and professionally. Part of that work is asking honest questions about how we’re living while pursuing what matters to us.

The future deserves a plan. Today deserves attention.

A message at church challenged me to think about being so focused on what’s far away that we overlook what’s right in front of us. I’ve been sitting with that.

We can describe our future in detail while struggling to name what we need today. We can have a plan for growing a business and still have no agreement about how responsibilities will be shared at home. We can talk about developing a team while postponing the conversation an employee has been asking to have.

Looking ahead has value. So does looking around. Who needs your attention? What commitment needs follow-through? What have you been noticing about yourself and explaining away? Those questions belong in the plan, too.

Faith also asks us to act

James 2:17 reminds us that faith without works is dead.

For me, that raises a practical question: am I waiting for more direction when there is already a known step I know I can take?

Sometimes we’re praying for an opportunity while leaving the application unfinished. We want a stronger relationship but keep avoiding an honest conversation. We want a more manageable workload but haven’t addressed the expectations we keep agreeing to. There are circumstances we cannot control, and prayer isn’t a guarantee of a particular outcome. But where we do have a choice, we can consider how to act on it.

That might mean sending the proposal. Asking for help. Following through on a commitment. Making an appointment. Setting a boundary we’re prepared to maintain.

The next step can be small enough to fit the capacity we have today.

What are the people around you experiencing?

Whether you’re single, dating, married, parenting, or leading others, your daily choices affect relationships.

If you’re building with a partner, talk about what the vision requires from each of you. Does the current plan leave room for both people’s goals, needs, and rest?

If you’re leading a team, consider what your expectations look like in practice. Are priorities clear? Is the workload manageable? Can people raise concerns and expect a response?

If you’re building on your own, your needs still deserve attention. You don’t have to postpone caring for your life until someone else shares it. Leadership shows up in these ordinary decisions. In listening, following through, asking questions, and making changes when something isn’t working.

Give your vision a next step

Before adding another goal to this week, pause long enough to answer two questions:

What is one step I can take toward the future I’m praying for?

What in my present life needs my attention today?

Choose actions you can realistically follow through on. If something needs to come off your plate to make room, account for that. You can pursue meaningful work and be present with the people you love. You can act on your faith and acknowledge your limits. You can build toward tomorrow while caring about how you’re living today.

Don’t build a future that costs you the life you’re living right now.

If you need support turning reflection into practical changes, explore individual sessions, leadership and team development, and guided reflection resources at enomhc.com.

ENOM-HC™ | From Burnout to Blueprint™