Working to Live: Finding the Balance with Rob Regan
What's the most important thing to you in life? Most people would say something like friends, family, or living comfortably. But how much of your time goes to those things? More often than not, 'successful' people spend almost all their days in their careers, unable to be with the things they say are the most important.
This episode delves into the concept of "working to live" as we explore Rob Regan's journey. He describes the three most powerful years in his life and how they all involve the most important things to him: family, rugby, and work. Most executives get completely stuck at the office, but Rob has found the balance between work and the rest of his life.
As for how he did it, sometimes we really have to take a terrifying step away from what we've been doing all our lives. If you're wondering how to get back to what you love the most while still managing your career — and, frankly, the rest of your life — then this episode is for you.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover the art of working to live.
Learn what it means to be genuinely vulnerable — no matter how tough you seem.
Uncover what it means to become who you are and return to what’s most important to you, even if you’ve lost touch for a while.
Resources
Contact Rob on LinkedIn
Coaching with Angela Cox
Listen to The Mindset Mentor Meets
Episode Highlights
[01:43] Rob’s Balancing Act
Rob tries to balance his life around family, rugby, and work. His wife, Nicola, might disagree on his priorities, but he does his best to keep things equal.
He admits that he doesn't do much outside those three things.
Rob also questions himself often: can he say he's proud of himself, or is he proud of what he's done?
[03:31] First of the Biggest Years: 2010
Rob's biggest years and proudest moments involve the birth of his daughter, Amy, in 2010.
Rob and Nicola had difficulty having Amy and needed to undergo IVF. But Amy came into this world successfully.
2010 was also a big year for him and rugby.
Rob admits that he doesn't have a talent for rugby, but his skill in the sport — like at work — comes from tremendous effort to build himself up rather than innate talent.
He captained the Bromley RFC's third team at 35, leading them to a big win over their rivals in a high-scoring game.
[08:56] A Story of Childhood Sweethearts
Nicola and Rob got together at 14 and stayed together for nine years.
Rob admits that he wasn't a good partner at the time — and even says that he ticked every box on how not to be a great boyfriend.
They eventually split up in their early twenties and got married to different partners but returned to each other much later on.
[10:32] Second of the Biggest Years: 2020
In 2020, Rob experienced the COVID lockdown. It was tough for Amy, as she had joined several clubs that required being physically at the club.
Rob is particularly proud of how his family, particularly Amy, worked together to overcome the challenges of being in a lockdown.
On his end, Rob was about to sell his company, which made his work life extremely difficult.
Rob didn't feel that he was working at home. Instead, he felt that he was living at work.
While his proudest moments in 2020 were the excellent outcomes for Amy, Rob is also glad that he learned to prioritise himself and his family over work.
[17:31] Becoming Who You Are, Again
2020 was a period of enormous changes for Rob, between leaving Royal London, selling the business, and the looming pandemic.
Rob said that he’d been struggling with a complete loss of identity.
His raison d'etre had been work for so long and nothing else.
[20:10] Third of the Biggest Years: 2023
In 2023, Amy played the part of Miss Honey in Matilda. On the last night of the performances, a little girl asked Amy for her autograph.
Amy was somewhat nervous and anxious growing up but being in theatre boosted her confidence.
2023 was also about mental health for Rob
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