Read time: 8 minutes
MCC #81 – 14 Nov 2023
Welcome to My Creative Calling!
I got chills when I heard him say:
You know, sometimes when I look at my balance, my ego says I’m poor. Knowing that it is only a moment in time (and apparently a lesson for me to learn) AND remembering my kickass physical and online friends and relationships makes me realise: that’s BS. I’m rich as f*ck.
He continued:
But I really feel things are moving.
My coaching client, let’s call him “John”, spoke about the financial challenges you face as a founder. You know how it is:
You have a grand vision and pour your heart and soul into the business. But things haven’t quite taken off… yet!
But the huge insight John delivered here was:
You might not yet be where you want to be. But your value is infinite. Your bank account is not a permanent thing that represents who you are forever. It represents who you were. But it does not represent the value of what you are currently building.
Next, John shared a beautiful anecdote:
My grandma had many apple trees. She would always say that it takes some years of cultivation until you can harvest the first apples.
There’s a big lesson in patience and cultivating that long-term mindset.
And so, if you are going to push through on that long journey, you have to move beyond tying your worth to that bank balance.
It’s like a trap that snares you and prevents you from fully living in this world.
You are so much more than that.
Today’s topic of conversation reminded me of Robin Sharma’s 8 Forms Of Wealth.
Being “rich” isn’t all about money. That alone won’t bring you happiness. You probably know a few rich people who are miserable.
Why?
Because happiness is a different skill set. So even smart rich people struggle to crack the code. Reminds me of this quote from Naval Ravikant:
If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy?
The 8 Forms of Wealth
This list may challenge your views on what you have and how wealthy you truly are. Or you may see some gaps where you do not align with your values. Don’t worry. We’ve all got room to improve. But don’t let it drag you down.
Self-Mastery
One of the great joys in life is the pursuit of mastering yourself. Easier said than done. But once unlocked, it opens up a world of possibility.
Remember: Leadership, greatness and impact are an inside job. You will never make an exterior life that’s higher, stronger, and more noble than the one you build within. Materialising your finest self really is a true form of wealth.
Robin Sharma
Health
I spoke about this in a recent letter as some people near and dear to me have battled serious health issues.
Without health, nothing else matters. What good is all the money and success if it comes at the cost of your health? You won’t enjoy it. And you’ll be forever trying to recover that lost physical or mental health.
Investing in health is one I am taking seriously now as I enter a new stage of life. I want to be an excellent example for my kids. Put simply, I want to be able to play with my kids.
When we are young we sacrifice our health for wealth and when we grow old and wise we realize what’s most important—and become willing to sacrifice all our wealth for even one day of good health. You never want to be the richest person in the graveyard, you know.
Robin Sharma
Family
This one has entered the spotlight for me since becoming a father.
In the West, we get carried away on the path of the individual. But you would be nothing without your family, whoever your “family” is to you. We wouldn’t have survived without their support in the early years.
Family is worth doing right — to be cherished. In a family, you can find love and support like no place else. You make memories that shape the rest of your life. The flow-on effect of getting this right positively affects generations.
Bronnie Ware, who worked in palliative care for many years, summarised the top five regrets of her dying patients. Number 2 was “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard”:
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret.
But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
Bronnie Ware
I am pre-empting this and prioritising time with my family, particularly now as I have two young children.
But sometimes, I feel ashamed that I am not giving more to my business and progressing faster. I can see myself falling behind others as I take time out as a dad.
But then I remember what is most important to me. And that comparisons are not helpful, as you can’t see the whole picture. All that matters is that I live true to my values.
I proudly received this note from a reader after last week’s letter:
Hey Matt
I’m proud of you leaning into full-time Dadding.
The effort you are putting in now will be paid back in spades.
Well done.
My friend shared his experience:
With the benefit of sufficient sleep these days, I look back fondly on those early days and can see that the emotional connection I formed has made the relationships with my kids very strong.
Craft
This has been a keystone theme of my letters — vocation.
Vocation: a type of work that you feel you are suited to doing and to which you should give all your time and energy, or the feeling that a type of work suits you in this way.
Cambridge Dictionary
You have the potential to be excellent at something. It’s not just a job. It’s a calling or a love, some may say. And it’s combined with that never-ending pursuit of learning. You want to push yourself to be the best you possibly can.
Prosperity
I’m highlighting the various forms of wealth, but at the end of the day, you cannot do without money. It makes the world go around, they say.
And to keep scaling up Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you must invest. You want to be comfortable. And one of the joys of prosperity is giving back to the world.
Mentors
One of my favourite quotes is from the legendary figure Jim Rohn:
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
Yep, that “circle of genius” matters! Now, one of my biggest insights here in recent years is that the circle doesn’t have to be the people we are physically located with.
Some of my oldest and dearest friends are those I went to school with. We catch up regularly. We always talk about the same things: the good old days, music, sports, work, and family.
But they aren’t as passionate about some of my interests, like coaching and writing online.
You need to put yourself in a circle that lifts you up to where your future self wants to be.
The good news?
The online world makes that easier than ever! The best way? Post content online about your interests. You will naturally attract your tribe.
Some of my closest friends right now are people I met online. We chat almost daily, but here’s the catch… We have NEVER met in person. We’re spread across the globe, but we have regular mastermind Zoom calls, WhatsApp voice notes, emails and DMs. And the best part is we are aligned and supporting each other’s missions.
And if you feel you are not yet ready to connect with strangers online? Start with virtual mentors. Pick 3-5 creators you admire. Dive deep into their content. It’s like a free mastermind or mentorship to guide you forward.
The other side of this equation is toxic people. Cut them out of your life ASAP. The energy wasted there is simply not worth it. It comes at a MASSIVE opportunity cost if you are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually burned out from these bloodsuckers.
Adventure
Humans crave some form of adventure. Tony Robbins often says that the number 1 human need is certainty. We like to feel in control.
But the number 2 human need?
Uncertainty!
Strange right?
Ever notice how you do something unintentionally to turn things upside down when your life is going a little too perfect?
Yep, humans need a bit of chaos to thrive. We are problem solvers. A dull existence is not fulfilling.
I often reflect fondly on my two years living in London, UK. I broke out of my monotonous corporate cubicle in Australia. I lived a life of passion and excitement, travelling around Europe. I feel I packed more into those two years than the previous ten!
But it doesn’t have to be some crazy upending of your world. It could be a hike alone in the local mountains or diving deep into the fantasy world of the Harry Potter books.
When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
Seth Godin
Impact
This one is all about service. You want to make the world better because you are here.
Here’s another quote from Tony Robbins:
The secret to living is giving.
Tony learned this at a young age when his family was poor and couldn’t afford food. But someone turned up on his doorstep on Thanksgiving with a food basket.
Since then, Tony has devoted his life to service as he witnessed first-hand how that can change someone’s life. He has since made it part of his mission by partnering in a challenge to provide a billion meals to families struggling with hunger.
Your unique abilities are your gift to the world. Show up and serve people powerfully. You will be rewarded in return.
Robin Sharma says the highest form of wealth is serving others.
Back to John
Over our deep conversations, I’ve seen a shift in John’s perspective:
From scarcity to possibility
John had recently received a voice note from a CEO who wanted to work with him. The CEO let John know what he was doing was making an impact:
He shared with me a photo of a book I recommended. He bought it because of me and enjoyed it a lot.
There’s nothing more rewarding than realising you are making an impact.
It feels great those moments, doesn’t it?
You have your back against the wall.
You almost feel like you’re down and out.
But then, almost magically, and right on cue, a ray of sunshine comes streaming through the dark clouds.
Hope.
Possibility.
It sinks in.
You realise that all your efforts are compounding. You just can’t see it.
It’s like watching a massive glacier. It just looks like a frozen block of ice. Not much is happening.
But there is.
There is movement in the core. You just can’t see it.
And a tiny trickle of goodness is slowly meandering out into the world.
It may not look like it, but it is gradually gathering steam.
And before too long, that tiny trickly will become a mighty river.
And the insight sunk in for John:
It reminded me that we’re probably making more impact than we think.
I would love people to become more aware of that.
So, this piece is my effort to help make people more aware of that.
You are wealthy.
And you’re already making more impact than you realise.
Reflection
What insights does this discussion of wealth bring up?
What areas in your life have you not been giving yourself credit for?
What would you like to change?
A quote to ponder
You never want to live the life modern society sells you as being successful, while neglecting what universal wisdom has taught us that living wonderfully truly involves.
Robin Sharma
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this letter, please share it with a friend.
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It would be great to have you on board!
Cheers!
Matt K. Head
When you’re ready, here’s how I can help you:
Coaching
- Leading authentically
- Find more meaning and fulfilment in your work
- Gain clarity and start taking action on your creative journey
