REAL Talk

I want to do more in my career and grow as a 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. 

Yet, it doesn't make a huge difference at the end of the 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!)

The majority of people will remember you for what kind of 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.