“I had bought into this idea that you had to sacrifice everything you had to kill yourself for growth. And it cost me dearly. I made some really poor decisions.”Carlos Hidalgo is co-founder & CEO of Digital Exhaust, a Utah-based data-driven, AI-enabled agency with a belief that "growth is a state of being, not just a goal to be achieved".But he's also a man with a dramatic story of putting his business ahead of his other life priorities—and learning some very hard lessons from that.This episode of Agency Journey will be a perfect reality check for agency owners, and an opportunity to re-assess the importance you should put on your agency relative to the current stage of your life journey.It will be especially relevant if you're balancing being a business owner with being a spouse, a parent, and a person driven by faith.Episode Insights:? The pivotal moments that reshaped Carlos's perspective on work-life balance and led him to reassess his priorities—including stepping down from one of his previous agencies.? Practical wisdom on setting non-negotiable boundaries, prioritizing well-being, and staying true to your business ethos.? Specific practices and habits Carlos introduced with his wife and himself to build a balanced and fulfilling life as an agency owner.? The virtues of being selective about what you're willing to invest yourself in, and how much.Resourced Mentioned:? Digital Exhaust ? The UnAmerican Dream by Carlos Hidalgo (book) ? Carlos' LinkedIn ?️ AI tools: Otter, ChatGPT, Jasper? Don’t forget to follow and rate us on your preferred podcast platforms. We’re also on YouTube: @ZenPilot