Week One – The First Horseman: Money
Ah, money…
Such an important and necessary part of our lives, and yet the source of so much angst and fear.
I’m all for helping my clients maximize their earning potential. In fact, I encourage it!
More than ever, today’s workplace requires careful consideration of the economic realities of the various paths you may take (long gone are the days when an advanced degree was your ticket to financial security).
And the possibility of getting stuck in something that doesn’t provide a livable wage is a reality we have to beware of.
Following your passion,
without developing a value proposition that the market cares about,
is a hobby at best
and a quick route to poverty at worst.
But, navigating your career by the golden star of money alone typically results in misery!
You may be able to grit your teeth, ignore your soul, and hustle your way up that ladder of monetary success for a while, but the clock is ticking on your mental, emotional, and physical health.
When your job is disconnected from the core of who you are, no amount of money will make up for the dread, boredom, and stress you will feel.
One of my mentors likes to say, “You didn’t come here for a pile of stuff.” It’s a good reminder that our purpose, the impact we’re meant to have, and what brings true satisfaction are rarely wrapped up in material gain.
The Antidote:
Keep money in its proper place.
Pursue all the money you want as long as you’re first aware of and building on your superpowers (the skills you are most energized by using, toward the interests you find most engaging) and make sure you’re in alignment with your values and what feels purposeful to you.
This assumes, of course, that your basic needs are being met. If this is not the case, then a different approach is required.
If your basic needs are being met though, here are the steps that put money in it's proper place:
Know your superpowers.
Research options; know what needs in the marketplace align with your skills & interests. Sometimes this iterative process requires shifting which skills & interests will be primary, which will ride shotgun, and which will stay tucked in the back seat.
Craft a compelling value proposition built on how your unique superpowers solve a specific need or problem in the marketplace.
Discover the most strategic (and profitable) ways to execute your value proposition. In other words, go after it at the highest level possible.
If making a certain amount of money is important to you, figure out how to do this WITHIN the constraints of your superpowers AND the realities of the market.
This is simply a problem or puzzle to be solved.
Finally, don’t fall for the lie that “more money” will result in you feeling safe, secure, and happy.
In fact, studies generally show that once our basic needs are met (typically around $75-100k annually) more money doesn’t result in additional happiness. Factors like relationships, health and leisure time become more significant drivers of happiness.
After coaching hundreds and hundreds of professionals, I can confidently tell you that there is no correlation between how much money someone makes and their feelings of security, safety, and “enough.” I’ve had clients who make high multiple six-figures whose primary stress is not having enough money. And I’ve had clients with very modest incomes who radiate contentment, gratitude, and abundance.
Safety, security, and happiness are inside jobs, my friend. Cultivating an internal sense of enough is a spiritual practice.
If you find yourself stuck in the never-ending loop of a scarcity mindset, this is the First Horseman nipping at your heels.
If you'd like to explore how you cultivate a deep sense of safety and "enough" in your life, let's talk.
Resist the urge to panic and chase money for money’s sake alone. It’s a fast route to misery.
