In writing this blog, it should be noted that I am not some hot shot business man who has made my fortune. The context is from a business owner who is getting by, paying their bills but doesn’t hold much excess for the finer things in life. Our small business is still small, learning and growing. This isn’t to say one day the balance sheet will not reflect the hard work, grind and hustle but as of today that is not the case.
Maybe you know the feeling, you are trying to push your business just over the hill but for now it’s still uphill. Maybe you have kept a job that wasn’t desired in order to live a certain life style, maybe you have never caught your break in life so, for most of us, I believe we think that money will bring about success, and that success equals money. From an early age we are bombarded with ideology and peer pressure that we must live a certain life.
Now money in the game of business is a fantastic measure of success, no two ways about it. Amazon is an awe inspiring company, Apple creates innovation and Tesla is changing how we look at problems, two of these companies are worth multi Trillions of dollars, the other multi billions. If a business isn’t making lots of money it is for the owner to reflect. People pay for quality, convenience and innovation. If customers aren’t happy, the flow of money and the market corrects, good companies survive and bad companies disappear this is the essence of a free market. These consequences come home to roost when recessions hit, then new companies appear to challenge market share and the cycle begins again. The new companies push the older companies to innovate or get left behind.
But money isn’t the only measure of success for a business, depending on scalability or desire to scale, you can have very successful business that does just the amount to give the owner the life they enjoy. If a couple have a cafe that is consistently busy with happy customers, that couple may not want to expand and be happy with their life/ work balance. They are very successful on all fronts.
Recently I’ve been learning to take a moment to reset and not be emotionally distracted by money, but it’s not easy. Like anything the more you focus on a subject, the more sensitivities you notice. I have recently seen some friends, top tier guys, fantastic dads, people who have houses, wives, kids, everything you need in life but also an anxiety about money. I think it’s got to be a common worry among fathers.
Looking inwardly, the want for money is one of security for those I love and freedom, the society norm being as dads, it’s our role to protect . Money gives you options in life. I just don’t mean the option of a merc or a bmw, it gives you the option to say No, the option to do what you want to do, this freedom is a sense of living your best life.
As I approach 40 (those who know me will say I had an uphill paper round!!), it’s time you naturally reflect on how you’ve done. My biggest fear is that is to get to the end and say “I wish I did what I wanted” or “I wish I lived a better life”. To be freed from worry and anxiety about bills, plans and work would surely placate a more peaceful mind.
That’s the other utopia I strive for, inner peace. I shouldn’t speak for all men (all 4 billion) but I think as men get older they seek peace, to switch off and enjoy the simpler things in life. The peace to think, ponder and potter, maybe with a beer. That sounds pretty perfect to me. Especially if I was on land where I couldn’t hear the traffic and could see the stars. Sounds like my best life.
It is my belief that this is why guys like to go and chat shit with the lads, game, have a few pints, it’s about switching off. We don’t talk about world issues, relationships or finances, we just bust each others balls about trivial shit. Then go back to reality.
So the question becomes, if and when you get money what would change?
On reflection maybe I’d buy a new house, but I’d still want the same people in it with me, a house is not a home. I could buy a new car, but it’s still only getting me from A to B, I could quit working, but I love working on my food van. I could travel the world, that would be nice but the beaches of Gower make me feel something no other place can. So what would really change?.
The most important aspect in life is to feel that I’m used up, I didn’t live my life and only gave 10%!, so I’m always going to want to learn and grow, extra money will not stop the want to keep improving, this is why billionaires constantly push for more, it’s nothing to do with money, it’s about impact and legacy.
Elon Musk lives in a small practical house and pays himself very little, Warren Buffet has lived in the same house for 55 years. These multi multi billionaires don’t need riches, this is their true success.
You see money isn’t going to change much, you may get some more toys, but the core things that make you happy in life are free. By appreciating what you have, if you are getting by, you are doing great as long as you take the time to notice what you have. Take some time to stop and assess, because if you can be happy with little you already have fortunes. Those around you who bring you happiness, be present with them as they are prizes and moments no money can replace. “No amount of money, ever brought a second of time”. Certain millionaires and billionaires are miserable so money does not equal success. Just because you have less money does NOT mean you have less success.
So now I don’t worry about it as much, as long as I can pay my bills that’s fine for now. When I can pay off every liability in life even better, but if you look at what you have you may realise you’re already Scrooge McDucking in life.
FOOD ANARCHY 