Striving for What? When Enough Is Enough

Mark and Jesse dissect the culture of striving that pervades American society, in businesses and consumers alike. There seems to be a tacit assumption that all business should be about more -- growing more, making more money, etc -- and you don't have to look far to see the same mentality in consumer culture. In fact, it's the heart of the economy! The desire for more is endless, a hole which can never be filled. So, how do you figure out what is enough?

 

Mark and Jesse have encountered peers struggling with this question, and have noted that limitations can be freeing. If you simply tell yourself that what you have is what you will have forever, you create boundaries and limitations which actually spur creativity and help you figure out what you really want (not just want other people say you should want). Mark uses the house as an example on the consumer side. What if you said to yourself, this house that you are currently in is it -- this is the house you will own and live in until you die. With no possibility for moving in the future, or building something else, you're free to think about what you don't like about your current house, and what you would change. Maybe there are some things that you dream about having in a future house, like a pool, that you discover you are fine without. Or maybe you can't live without one and must find a way to put one in!

 

It's a useful creative exercise to get closer to answering the question -- how much is enough?

 

 

Mark Butler, Virtual CFO

The Money School: https://moneyschool.works

https://markbutler.com

https://letsdothebooks.com

 

YNAB

https://www.youneedabudget.com