In the startup world we all seem to understand that $200K is better than $100K, but we do a really lousy job of qualifying that difference based on what actually matters — our quality of life.

When we step back for a second, we may come to find out that "compensation" in strictly monetary terms, is a broken metric. We're all really trying to translate those dollar signs into how it will impact our quality of life.

So why don't we just start with what improves our quality of life and then figure out where money comes in?

What we really want is time.

Years ago at Startups.com, we instituted a work from home policy. At the time we were all still office-bound (spoiler alert: we're mostly remote now) so having an extra day to work in our Snuggies (still a thing) was a huge benefit.

The day off wasn't the benefit — it's what it gave us the freedom to do.

We made breakfast for our kids. We took time to go on a hike. We slept in for the hour we were otherwise going to be getting ready and commuted. We took calls in our pajamas. It felt like a "snow day" every single week.

Incidentally, it cost us nothing as a company, but opened our eyes to what we were really looking for — a quality of life "promotion."

In Case You Missed It

I’m Killing Myself. How Is Everyone Else Finding Work/Life Balance. Work/Life balance isn't about working less, it's about adjusting our approach to work.

Is Doing Non-Startup Stuff Good For My Startup? (podcast). Join Wil and Ryan as they discuss how doing stuff that's NOT Startup related is important not only for your own sanity, but for the growth of your company.

I’m Burnt Out. What Do I Do? When we hit a point of burn out it's important that we understand what to do about it. If we ignore it, the problem only gets much worse. So let's take a look at what Founders do to deal with burnout head on.

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Agostinho Domingos

I once heard a story that goes something like this...

A very busy and successful business man that lived in the city once visited a friend from childhood who preferred to live at the country-side where everyday he would enjoy his farm, and take it easy eating nice and fresh foods from his farm along with his family aside.

For the sake of the story let's name the city man John and the farm man as Adam.

John: Adam, ever since childhood, you never moved out from here. Why don't you get a job in the city?

Adam: Why would I need a job when I already have my farm?
John: So that you can make more money!

Adam: Why would I want to make more money than what I already do?
John: So that you can buy anything and have a good life.

Adam: I do buy what I need and my life is good out here, and I am able to travel anywhere should I decide to do so.
John: stays silent and thinks

Adam: Let me ask you a question John, what are you going to do when you retire from your job?
John: I will most probably move down to the country side and a live a restfull and relaxed life.

Adam: I am having a restful and relaxed life right now.

The moral of this story somewhat reflects the article above. For example, making $200K and having a very busy life suffocates the time spent for yourself and loved ones. While on the other hand, you can make $100K and have a more relaxed life without the rush of the corporate world.

When I used to work on the corporate world, I remember my boss saying, "You spend at least 50% of your time with your colleagues at work".

That made me rethink my life. At least 50%? In my case was probably more like 60% or 70% because I was pounded with excess supervisory activities on my shoulders.

That just did not make sense to me because my family was a priority.

That is only possible with your own business. It's true that to get it up and running you might need to spend more time until the rewards starts coming, but once it does, you are left with your own pace to judge and decide.

The internet made all this possible, especially with the various tools out there to help you set up a website and go with it.

Forget Compensation, let's talk "Quality of Life"

What we really want is time.

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