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I just finished watching a few “behind-the-scenes” videos of Ryan Holiday’s latest book launch, for his 16th book, Right Thing, Right Now. I also got the email the other day that my signed copy has been shipped – first time I’ve ever ordered a signed copy from an author so I’m kinda excited.
Anyway, in one of his interview clips from the book promotion he talked about how writing this book (and the broader series it’s a part of) helped him start shifting away from understanding how certain principles he writes about could help him: be more productive, be more successful, get more out of life, etc… and transition to thinking more about what the principles he discusses ask of each of us: to treat others well, to contribute to our communities, to impact our moment in this world.
This was a good reminder, I thought, that money can be an inherently selfish topic. How can we get and keep more, for our security, for our enjoyment. While those are good, important things, they’re not the only things.
It’s not me vs. you, but rather me and you.
Both sides of this coin matter.
In fact, we aim to achieve financial security, stability, and freedom so that we might feel a certain way in life. Safe, successful, free. But we can’t ignore the other facets of life that help us feel these same feelings, that aren’t related to serving ourselves at all.
If we rely on one avenue to achieve these states, we’ll likely find we feel the exact same way once we achieve what we’re looking for. My business coach always says that if we have “not enough” money issues starting out, those feelings will only magnify when we’re earning 10X more.
The money won’t solve the feelings of insecurity. We will have new problems, more to manage, more to lose.
A quote I saw plastered up on the giant screen in a TEDx talk by Liza Shaw I saw the other day sums it up: “Happiness is a byproduct of true contribution.”
She was speaking in the context of a marriage but I think it extends to any relationship, including our relationship with others in all contexts, and society more generally.
Ryan started his New York television interview day out by going online and making a donation to a charity. That way, no matter how book reviews or television interviews went that day, he’d feel he did something good in the world.
He set the example of prioritizing outward impact first (which was pretty poignant if you think about where your head would be if you were going on national live television in an hour).
Moving actively towards the goals we set for ourselves is important, but it’s important to know that reaching these goals isn’t always what will make us feel satisfied. Doing what is good and right on others’ behalf more often will.
Because that’s what justice should be—not a noun but a verb.
Something we do, not something we get.
A form of human excellence.
A statement of purpose.
A series of actions.
In a world of so much uncertainty, in a world where so much is out of our control, where evil does exist and regularly goes unpunished, the commitment to live rightly is a redoubt in the storm, a light in the dark.
Ryan Holiday in Right Thing, Right Now
I hope you enjoyed this edition of Under 2, an email series designed to share quick bites of wisdom to empower your financial journey (while keeping it short). Be sure to sign-up below to get these messages in your inbox.
All for now,
Lindsey