professional. Like many of you, I would
welcome having a big fancy title, huge corner office or become the owner of
something successful and profitable. Watching my professional worth accumulate while
my bank account grows would be an amazing thing and I hope that it happens
someday. Big professional and financial
goals, along with many smaller ones, are always good to have.
day does it? Years from now, nobody will
care about your fancy title. Yes, money affords certain opportunities and gives
you the ability to spoil yourself and others in your life. Money helps you
experience certain things and possibly opens a few doors for you along the way.
After you die, nobody will say “that guy was well respected and loved
because of all that money”. Maybe one guy will? The guy that you leave it
all to. (Pick me!)
person you were to others and not how you flexed your wallet. This entry isn’t about how you should get rid
of your worldly possessions or join a cult. (Pretty sure Dave Ramsey doesn’t
read my blog) Although, if you are rich and looking for someone to leave it to;
give it to me. I assure you, I will know how to enjoy your money more than you
do. I can do “rich” better
than anyone I know! I promise you!
This #Tryharder entry is about being great at something
real. What REAL things are you great at?
What contributions are you making to others, not necessarily the world,
that will make them better for having known you? Yes, I want to leave a stack
of cash for my wife and kids when I die, but I also want to give them tools of
betterment. I want them to be good to people. To care. To contribute to life
outside of their bubble and to give back to those who have done right by them.
They need to climb high, but never forget to reach out to the person behind
them and give assistance. In addition, not be resentful to those who did not show
them the same courtesy.
If the big greyhound bus of death has your name on it and
you get creamed tomorrow what, besides a fat insurance check, do you have to
show for your efforts? What seeds have
you planted and how will your legacy be shared by others you influenced along
the way? Were you great at something
real? Did you contribute anything real?
If you cannot think of one non-monetary contribution to your circle of
influence, then you need to reconsider a few things in your life and possibly
work on becoming a more complete individual. Also, make sure many, if not most,
of your contributions are selfless.
Be a great friend. A great teacher. A great student. A
great father, mother, brother or sister. Don’t pass on opportunities where you
could have made a difference, even if that moment might bring you pain or cost
you monetarily in the process. You will never have “enough” money and
frankly you shouldn’t be justifying or measuring what is the right thing to do, based on what’s in your pocket. The only thing that money and being real have
in common is that you should always want more for yourself and others. Just
remember that contributions are always better than currency.
