Equations

Day 258

Any of you who know me will realize the irony in my use of math terminology. As an artist and creative, right-brained type individual, I have long been imperically challenged. However, in spite of my scientific deficiencies, I have discovered two very important equations that govern my life. I was speaking with a friend about them recently and she encouraged me to write them down, so here they are.

Equation number one: Money and Time are interchangeable. You can always get more of one by spending the other. This is an important thing to understand. Working in marketing, I have had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of some very wealthy and influential people. Most folks don't understand that making millions is not as complicated as they think. Anyone can do it, really. You just have to be willing to take calculated risks with your resources and work all the freaking time. The only insurance you have against failure and financial ruin is your willingness to work harder than everyone else to make your risks pay off. This will cost you time - days, nights, weekends, holidays, etc.

As your resources grow, you'll have more money. You, then, use the money to buy back your time. The trick is not getting so caught up in the pursuit that you forget to "get out" down the line. Most people are simply not willing to invest the time necessary to gain the wealth in the first place. Even fewer set goals up front and establish the accountability to help them remember to buy back their time when the work pays off.

Equation number two: Everyone whores out to something. The best we can hope for is to get to say "who," "when," and "how much." This may sound a bit pessimistic, but it's true. Sooner or later we choose to sell ourselves to something. It could be an ideal, it could be money, it could be religion, it could be a relationship, whatever. The happiest people I know are the ones who have determined for themselves the "who," the "when," and the "how much." Selling out feels a lot less like selling out and when you name your own parameters.

I heard it said once that an entrepreneur is someone who will work 80 hours a week for himself to keep from working 40 hours a week for someone else. A very good friend and mentor taught me that the only real job security in the world is in my head. It's my ability to adapt and learn, to kill it and drag it home, to resist those who would try to confine me by defining me. My gift for reinventing myself has kept me alive in the lean times and brought me success in the fat ones. I've learned that I'm happier when I'm saying "who," "when," and "how much."

Why do I share these equations with you? I share them to bring you some measure of inspiration. I have chosen to work through my issues-whatever it takes. I have also chosen to not let the "crazy" confine me by defining me. I will adapt. I will reinvent. I will work harder than everyone else. I will deal with this thing on my terms and, ultimately, prevail. You can too. It's not easy. It's not simple. It's not fun. But it's life and, by taking it head on, I'll ultimately be the one who decides how it turns out. You can too. Do the math.