Want More Freedom? Stop Doing This.
How to Buy Back Your Time (Without Sacrificing Success)
🎯 Riley’s Friday Focus 🎯
Hello there!
It’s been a minute since I last posted on Substack, but if you’ve been subscribed to my newsletters for a while, this will feel like coming home. Let’s jump right in.
📚 What I’m Reading: Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
I’m a little over halfway through this book, and it’s already one of the most practical, mindset-shifting reads I’ve picked up in a while. The subtitle— Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire… (has a nice Star Wars ring to it) but the real gold is in its framework for how to effectively buy back your time.
While it’s geared toward entrepreneurs scaling a business, the lessons apply broadly, especially if you’re someone who tends to brute-force your way through problems (like, say, a certain Air Force officer writing this email). The book hits on something a lot of high achievers struggle with: the instinct to just work harder when, in reality, strategic, effective delegation is the real key to growth.
One concept that really stood out to me is called the DRIP Matrix—a way to categorize tasks based on two key factors:
✔️ Money – How much revenue or impact does this task generate?
✔️ Energy – Does this task energize or drain you?
The matrix breaks tasks into four quadrants:
Delegation (low money, low energy) – Think admin work, invoicing, scheduling. Necessary, but exhausting.
Replacement (high money, low energy) – Important work, but still draining.
Investment (low money, high energy) – Things that don’t pay immediately but fuel your passion.
Production (high money, high energy) – The sweet spot! This is where you make the biggest impact and enjoy the work.
💡 Parting Shot
This got me thinking about my own career. In the Air Force, I spent the last few years taking on assignments and jobs that were “good for my career” but drained my energy and pulled me away from my best contributions. The same happens to entrepreneurs and creatives—we waste time on tasks that could be delegated, leaving less energy for the work that actually moves the needle.
As I look ahead — growing
, building a personal brand, and stepping into my next Air Force role—I want to be intentional about protecting my production quadrant. That means being willing to invest in support—whether that’s a VA, an editor, or even something as simple as a lawn care—so I can focus on what I do best.And here’s the bigger takeaway: Delegation isn’t just about getting rid of “low-value” work. It’s about giving others opportunities to thrive in their strengths while freeing yourself to do what you were designed to do. That’s not selfish—it’s stewardship.
I’ll likely circle back to this book once I finish, but for now, I’ll leave you with this challenge: What’s one thing in your life that’s draining your energy and could be delegated?
Hit reply and let me know.
Until next time,
MTFBWY
Riley