You’re not where you want to be because you haven’t developed the skills to get there, and you’re not as smart as you think because you’re simply not that smart.
Now, if you haven’t bounced off this page thinking, damn, that was really mean, just understand that I’m talking to myself five years ago…
I believe that the more we share about ourselves, the more we realize what we have in common.
All of what I write in these letters are my life experiences or the life experiences of those around me.
There are dozens, actually millions, of little points in your brain right now, each with a significant value that doesn’t make sense to you.
But have you ever watched a YouTube video, been in a conversation, or read a book, and one sentence or one line from that video or conversation connects all the dots?
This allows you to experience all of these little value points from a different perspective and have a different perception of what you’re capable of.
This doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens by intentionally developing the skills of writing, reading, learning how to think, and being clear in your thinking and writing.
Time and hard work do not justify why you should be paid what you think you should be paid.
Becoming valuable as fuck, dictates your worth in the working field.
Listen, just because you offer a product, service, or your time does not mean it’s valuable.
There is only ONE person who dictates the value you have to offer…
And that is the person receiving the product or service.
If it’s valuable to them, they will praise and pay you.
If not, then it’s one or all of these three problems:
Your idea sucks
Your marketing sucks
You’re selling it to the wrong person
But before we get into how to solve these issues, let’s cover a little more ground.
The Reality of Being Replaceable
Just because you’re replaceable doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to become irreplaceable.
I am replaceable.
You are irreplaceable.
And the likelihood of you eventually being replaced is high.
Nobody is exempt, and this is exactly why you have to create your life by design.
When your employer faces tough decisions, possibly under pressure, you might find yourself at the top of the list for layoffs.
Believing you're exempt from such outcomes is, frankly, naive.
Many dedicate over a decade to climbing the corporate ladder, chasing after higher status and more money.
Yet, the harsh reality is that some never achieve these goals.
And those who do often find their achievements temporary.
They lose everything when replaced, primarily because they failed to invest in personal growth and self-actualization.
The point I’m making is that you have to work on yourself every single day; this doesn’t come from a place of urgency but rather from a place of discovering your purpose.
If this intimidates you, it’s because you have no clarity.
You are not clear on your purpose, or you are not making progress towards a meaningful goal.
It’s OK not to know your purpose, but understand that humans are designed to make progress towards meaningful goals.
Pursuing progress alone can alleviate the pressure and anxiety that you may be experiencing from reading this.
You may be thinking or saying, “Well, I’m okay where I’m at. I’m comfortable.”
And THAT’S the problem.
Are you saying you don’t wish you had more money?
Maybe so…
But is that really true?
Or is that a lie to keep you comfortable with where you’re at right now?
Are you really about the monastic lifestyle of total renunciation? Probably not…
Listen, I am not a materialistic person. I don’t need or want to possess a lot of things, but the things I do own make me happy as fuck, and that’s because I know what I want and what I like, and there is NOTHING wrong with that.
Many people fail to understand that working towards a meaningful goal, regardless of what it is… it could be working on your physical health and getting the body you want.
It could be working on your career or that hundred thousand dollar (or more) idea that’s been sitting in your head for years now that you’ve not taken action on…
Or it could be working towards buying that car you’ve always wanted.
The point here is that working towards these meaningful goals can present more opportunities.
Building the physical body you want can attract the type of partner that you desire.
Creating the product or service that’s been sitting in your head can create the wealth you desire that can then allow you to afford the car you want.
That can then potentially open up an opportunity because some other millionaire or billionaire comments on your car and then strike up a conversation…
Now, we’re not limited to just these examples.
Get creative…but follow this thread and allow it to take you down a tunnel to see the grander picture.
Final Thoughts
It’s time to stop thinking so narrowly and start thinking from a global perspective.
Read more, write better, think clearer.
Don’t hate the game. Don’t hate the player. Master them both.
Big Love,
Nadeem
When you're ready, there are two ways I can help you:
→ Life By Design (waitlist): How to Actualize Your Idea, Start to Finish in 8 Weeks (only taking 20 students).
→ 1-3-5 Focus Framework: If you're looking for traction in your personal brand or business, I'd recommend joining the Build 1 Thing community.