Financial Security in 3 Easy Steps

In high school it became clear to me that the idea of financial security was most likely a myth. Teachers told me about dwindling pensions, social security funds, and job longevity. Perhaps that is why I have never equated finding a “job with a solid company” with financial security. I feel that I have stumbled upon the simple recipe for financial security that seems to apply to every financially wealthy person I’ve observed. Here it is for your pleasure:

1. Know a lot of people. Spend time genuinely connecting with as many people as possible. This is real currency. If you end up out of work, you have an enormous network to alert.

2. Know how you can help all of those people. What can you provide, make, or do for all of these people to help them? Think of what you love to do or what you are really good at doing. Do this.

3. Know how to charge appropriately. Be confident in the value you provide and learn what the right rate is for this. It doesn’t always have to be cash, it can be trade. But be comfortable asking for what you need to make your efforts worth while.

That is all. At first it seems oversimplified… and perhaps it is. In my experience sometimes the simple truth can be the most profound. Enjoy.