We had the good fortune of connecting with Graham Cochrane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Graham, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I truly believe that if you build a business it should serve your life, not the other way around.

People seem to hate the term Work Life Balance. Perhaps what we need (and what I think people are after) is a work life REDESIGN. Work is a huge part of my life. It’s one of the greatest ways I can impact the world and make a difference in people’s lives. But it’s not the only way. I’m a husband, father, brother, son, friend, and so much more. So I try hard to ensure that my work stays in its place and doesn’t creep into every other nook and cranny of my life, which is what it will do unless you say otherwise.

These days I only work two days a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) for a total of about 6-8 hours a week. That’s all my business needs from me to operate. And that gives me plenty of time and margin to do other things like take my kids to school in the morning, go the gym, watch a movie, read a book, have lunch with a friend, etc.

For me as long as I can thrive in work, accomplish my goals, and all the while feel like it isn’t bleeding into the rest of my life I’m good.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In 2009 during the Great Recession I lost two jobs, was on food stamps, and tried to make money by starting a blog and YouTube channel. Almost 13 years later I’ve been blessed to stumble into the idea of online business and have built two million dollar a year businesses, first in the music space, and now in the business coaching space.

The first 2 years were scary, embarrassing, and slow. But I learned that as a content creator, time eventually is on your side and that slow start helped me develop so many skills that have led to where I am today.

These days I host a podcast that helps people start and grow businesses that give them the life and income they want, without the hustle or burnout that others say is inevitable. My book “How To Get Paid For What You Know” breaks it all down as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to make a shoutout to Tim Ferriss and his book The 4-Hour Work Week. It really challenged my thinking on what the goal in life is. Rather than trying to make money I want to make a life. That book showed me that it’s possible to have an efficient business that frees your time and allows you to live and give more to the things and people you care about.

Website: www.grahamcochrane.com

Instagram: @thegrahamcochrane

Twitter: @thegcochrane

Youtube: YouTube.com/grahamcochrane

Image Credits
Shay Cochrane

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