Hello everyone, and welcome back to the blog! Today, I’m sharing a fascinating conversation we had recently on Bartelle’s Money Talk with a man whose life philosophy can truly change how we look at time, money, and freedom—Richie Norton. If you’ve been feeling trapped in the 9-to-5 grind or struggling to find time for the things that matter most, this one is for you.
Richie Norton, best-selling author of The Power of Starting Something Stupid and Anti-Time Management, delivered some powerful insights about entrepreneurship, time, and money that can transform how we live. Here’s a recap of the conversation and some bonus tips to help you take charge of your financial future.
The Highlight Reel vs. The Tragedy
Richie opened up about his journey, sharing that while the highlight reel of his life might look magical, it's been filled with deep tragedies as well. From losing his son to his wife suffering memory loss from a stroke, Richie’s life has been anything but easy. Yet, what sets him apart is his mindset—choosing to be better instead of bitter.
This really struck a chord. How often do we let life’s hardships hold us back rather than propel us forward? Richie’s example teaches us that while life may be hard, our response to it defines us.
The Power of Changing How You're Paid
One of the most impactful messages Richie shared was this:
“Change the way you are paid, and you will change your life.”
Sounds simple, right? But the ripple effect of this mindset shift is profound.
Richie illustrated this with the story of his early entrepreneurial days. As a teen, his dad discouraged him from getting a traditional job and instead encouraged him to buy and resell irregular-sized watermelons. In one day, Richie made more money selling those melons than he would have made working minimum wage all summer long.
This taught him that trading time for money isn’t the only way to succeed—and it’s certainly not the best way to reclaim your time. For many of us stuck in jobs we dislike, we are paid based on the hours we work, not the value we bring. By shifting the focus to being paid based on results or products, we can begin to unlock the doors to time freedom.
5 Key Steps to Change Your Life
Richie laid out a simple five-step process to reclaim your time and build the life you want:
Decide Where You Want to Live: Don’t let your job dictate your lifestyle. Where you live can determine the quality of your life. In today’s world, remote work and online entrepreneurship make it possible to live wherever you want.
Decide Who You Want to Be: Once you know the kind of person you want to become, you can start aligning your actions and decisions to that vision. Don't wait to "become" someone later—start embodying your future self today.
Choose a Project, Not a Lifetime Career: Think of your new venture as a project, not a lifelong commitment. Projects can fail without it being a failure of you. It also allows you to pivot and evolve over time.
Work on Your Side Hustle Before Quitting Your Job: You don’t have to quit your job right away. In fact, Richie recommends keeping your job while you build something on the side to avoid turning your dream into just another job.
Focus on How You Get Paid, Not How Much You Get Paid: It’s not about how much money you make but how you earn it. Are you trading hours for dollars, or are you creating value that pays you regardless of the time spent?
Bonus Tips for Reclaiming Your Time
If you resonated with Richie’s message and want to start making changes today, here are a few extra tips to help you along the way:
Automate and Delegate: One of the best ways to stop trading time for money is by building systems. Whether it's automating your personal finances or delegating tasks in your business, freeing up your time allows you to focus on what truly matters.
Monetize Your Passion: What’s something you love to do? Blogging, photography, fitness? Find a way to monetize it. When you're paid to do something you enjoy, it hardly feels like work.
Invest in Yourself: Whether it’s taking a course, hiring a coach, or buying the tools you need to start a side business, investing in yourself pays dividends in the long run. Richie’s journey began with small investments in his ideas and projects—and yours can too.
Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People: Who you spend time with can influence your mindset and, ultimately, your success. Surround yourself with people who challenge you to think bigger and break free from traditional limitations.
The Takeaway
Richie Norton’s message is one we all need to hear: You have the power to change your life by changing how you approach work, money, and time. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own business, reclaiming time to spend with your family, or just finding a better work-life balance, it starts with understanding how you’re paid.
Remember: It’s not about quitting your job tomorrow or having all the answers today. It’s about taking small steps—like deciding where you want to live, who you want to be, and how you want to be paid—that will lead to lasting freedom and fulfillment.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this conversation with Richie Norton, be sure to check out his books, The Power of Starting Something Stupid and Anti-Time Management.
Also, I’d love to hear from you! What’s one step you can take this week to start reclaiming your time? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’m excited to see how you’ll change your life by changing how you’re paid!
Until next time, keep striving for financial freedom and the life you deserve!
Bonus Resource: How to Get Started with Anti-Time Management
If Richie’s concept of anti-time management intrigued you, here are a few practical steps to get started:
Set a Dream Goal: Think about your ideal lifestyle. What do you want your life to look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years?
Reverse Engineer It: What needs to happen now to make that dream life possible? Do you need to launch a side hustle, invest in a new skill, or change careers?
Start Small: You don’t have to change everything overnight. Focus on one small step that moves you toward your goal.
Focus on High-Leverage Activities: Instead of working more hours, focus on the tasks that have the biggest impact. This might be making one key decision, outsourcing, or building a system that works without constant oversight.
By applying these steps, you’ll be well on your way to reclaiming your time and living the life you’ve always dreamed of!
So whether you're looking to get out of debt, save for a major purchase, or plan for retirement, "Bartelle’s Money Talk" and Bartelle's Financial Coaching are here to support you every step of the way.
Ready to take the first step toward financial freedom? Schedule a free consultation with Theresa Bartelle today and start your journey to a brighter financial future.
Thank you for considering "Bartelle’s Money Talk" and Bartelle's Financial Coaching. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm regards,
Johnny and Theresa Bartelle
Founders of Bartelle’s Financial Coaching
Change the Way You Are Paid, Change Your Life | Bartelle's Money Talk