Simple:
where it's located, how it's not the same as "easy", and what it takes to get there
Every single thing you want in life is on the other side of something that sucks. That suck might be 100 hard workouts, 100 bland meals, 100 hours of focused work, or 100 hard conversations. Embrace the cost of entry. The answers you seek are found in the actions you avoid.
-Sahil Bloom
For many of us, we have misinterpreted what it means for something to be simple. It seems we believe that to be simple is to require little to no work or effort.
We want positive progress that’s easily made with no difficulty. We want growth without resistance. Movement without setbacks. Change without tension.
And we think this interpretation of “simple” is what will take us there.
The more I reflect, however, the more I’m convinced that simple is something else entirely.
You might know exactly the step you should take…simple.
But actually taking the step might be extremely difficult.
You could know where you want to end up, what you want things to look like, and how you want them to operate…simple.
But the path to get there is complex until broken down into small parts.
Simple comes more often on the other side of doing something difficult. It comes from taking action, from walking through something hard, or at the very least understanding what it is you’re getting into.
Once you know where you’re going, you can take simple steps to get moving. You can intentionally order your priorities to simplify your commitments. You can create a simple structure that keeps you organized. You can reverse engineer a big goal to determine the first thing you can do to make progress.
But simple does not, in fact, mean “easy”.
It does not mean “no effort”.
It may mean taking a step that is actually really hard.
How I got here
I have a background in people and systems development in various settings. My wife and I have lived in four different states since being married in 2013. We’ve been blessed to be in some amazing communities and serve incredible people.
The last move we made, however, came in the wake of something really difficult.
In light of that circumstance, the decision to move yet again was simple.
The action to actually make it was really hard.
The more life we live the better we are understanding the truth of the quote I started this post with. The life we want is on the other side of hard things.
We won’t receive the answers we’re looking for unless we’re willing to take real, sometimes uncomfortable steps.
I wouldn’t say we’ve achieved “the life we ultimately want” by any means at this point. Some steps are still hard. But on the other side of that first step has been affirmation, clarity, and traction.
It’s taught me a lot about taking steps of faith, about provision, and about the place money actually deserves in our lives.
It’s also taught me how, without good people around you, it’s hard to accomplish much on your own.
So as life has thrown expensive things our way both monetarily and emotionally, I’ve found a connection to and a passion for guiding people through starting well with their money.
A steady and reliable system coupled with people in your corner is a strong combination for perseverance.
Learning these tactics to wisely manage your resources early can determine so much about how your future plays out. Not exactly what happens to you, but how prepared you are to handle it.
Using money to develop yourself
Like I said, my more general focus is people development.
You have natural gifts you’ve been given. You have strengths that are uniquely yours. Identifying and then learning how to utilize them in your life will help you become the best version of yourself.
As I’ve explored these depths of development, money has turned out to be a great place to shape the conversation.
Why?
First of all, we don’t typically talk about it.
It’s a shame this is the case because, it can teach us so much.
When you look at how you spend, you can easily identify things like your management patterns, what you care about, your own personality traits, and how much you pay attention to the lifestyle you’ve built.
Your bank account transactions speak directly to what you prioritize.
So why not start there?
The price of simple, speaking of money
If the goal is to build and activate a system for your money that is truly simple, the question then becomes, how do we get there?
Let’s start here…the beginning can be hard. It’s different. It takes effort.
It takes deconstructing this system into steps you can follow, one at a time.
It requires your work.
But you can do the hard thing.
I’ve done it.
There is always a way.
That’s where Wayfinder comes from.
It’s simply owning the process of finding a way. It’s taking on the task to get organized and activated. Because once active, a working system will help you find a way through life given its varying circumstances.
I really do want the operating system for your money to be simple. I want it to be easy for you to understand. Easy for you to access. I want it to involve as little of your time and attention as possible.
This is the reality, though…getting to that point might feel hard for you. And honestly, the part of the process getting it there might not come natural and bring resistance.
But you can do the hard thing.
My job is to do everything I can to break down the process, so you can take real steps.
Imagine putting together a piece of furniture with step-by-step instructions. Without the manual, it’s just a bunch of pieces scattered on the floor and a lot of guessing.
I’ll provide the manual.
And I’ll talk back to you when we get stuck or have questions.
Remember, I’ve walked this road. I’m still walking this road. Through all of its twists and turns.
I’d love to support your journey too.
That’s why The Wayfinder Money Club is here.
It’s about system. It’s about community. It’s about accountability to really take action. It’s about living an impactful life.
It’s about the real version of simple.
It’s taking a hard step to get to what you really want.
The purpose of your life, whatever that may be, deserves a system that is working in the background. The system is what will hold you up when life happens. And good community is what will see you through.
It’s that simple.
My advise for you to get started
If you’re ready (and if you’re not, maybe this is even more for you)…
You might just be getting started in real life. You just got married, or just started your first job, or you’re trying to figure out what to do with those first paychecks.
Do something hard. Reframe your interpretation of simple.
And take the step.
Start telling your money where to go. Build the system to make it go there on its own.
This is a great place to begin 👇
Use this community as your guide. Lean on its people to hold you to it.
The action might feel hard, but taken one step at a time is really what makes simple, simple.
yeah, the step is simple, but taking it feels like lifting a mountain. it’s strangely reassuring to hear that even people who seem put-together had to walk through something messy first.
People hit a brick wall when it comes to money. There is a lot of advice, but very little actual help. I’m glad you covered that 🙌