Leaders Win the Battle of Meaning Over Materialism

We’ve been programmed that more money and things will
bring more happiness. Research proves this to be a lie. 
In fact, in many cases more money and more things
often bring less happiness.

In this series we’re exploring the battles that we must fight and win to Take our Power Back and truly Lead or own lives.

In this, our 8th installment, we’ll do our best to briefly tackle one of the most heinous of lies you’ve been programmed to believe.

We’ve all been programmed to believe it.

Amateurs get trapped in it and by it.

Leader fight to wake up and escape it.

Money and meaning are not equivalent.
They can coexist but that takes wisdom;
and it’s not guaranteed.

I’ve asked hundreds of thousands of people in audiences around the globe the same question:

If I could give you all the money in the world, but you’d be stressed and unhappy. OR, if I could guarantee you constant peace and happiness, but you can’t have both. Which would you choose?

Money and Meaning

I bet you can guess the overwhelmingly consistent answer.

Peace and happiness trump money every single time.

So why is it that we continually see behavior to the contrary?

Why is it that we constantly observe people selling their very soul to the bank via mortgage, credit card debt, and car loans?

Simple answer:

Programming.

You are the by-product of other people’s habitual way of thinking.
It’s not your fault. But it IS your responsibility. 

The Two Great Lies:

  1. Money will bring more happiness and meaning
  2. You “have” or “own” certain things.

We’ve already briefly addressed the first lie; and even beyond the research, logically it just can’t be true.

If it were true, then why would Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman and so many others with plenty of money and things commit suicide?

They wouldn’t.

According to the World Health Organization, every 40 seconds
someone commits suicide in the world today. 3,000 people per day;
and for every single person that ‘succeeds,’ there are 20 more who attempt and fail.
We’re focusing on the wrong things in our world.

The second lie is that you have or own a house, business, car, bank account, husband or wife.

You don’t.

In 2009 it appeared to me that I had all those things, but they were all gone in less than 90 days.

You don’t truly “have” or “own” anything.
Not even “your” relationships.
You’re a temporary custodian at best.
They’re gifts to enjoy and use for a time.
Get it right. Wake up. Focus.

The ONLY thing you truly have, is that which is changeless and can never be taken away.

The Leader of the Future understands this truth; and therefore, leads and lives his life from cause versus effect.

What are you doing?

You’ve been programmed to chase the market and the money;
and when you get more things, THEN you’ll be happy. You won’t.
Happiness and fulfillment are an internal state of being;
and no “thing” will give you what you don’t already have on your own.

When you make a meaningful and fulfilling life your focus, then the appropriate money will follow.

Will you be a multi-millionaire?

Maybe. 

Maybe not.

But you will be happy and fulfilled.

And that my friend is what life’s all about.

Leaders win the battle of meaning over money. 



It’s a tough one. 

Every force around you will encourage you to sell your soul to the banker; 

And to become a cog in the economic wheel that runs this world.

Win the battle; and you’ll win your Life!

True life.

Be a Leader. Live Your Purpose; and Take Your Power Back!

James