Build a Life by Design

In school, we learned how to calculate the circumference of a circle and memorize facts about history, but no one sat us down and said, “Here’s how you create financial freedom or design the life you truly want.” That’s a problem. Folks who grew up in a conventional household like myself, had to learn it the hard way. It’s like being trapped in a matrix. The rules of this system are simple: work hard, spend your money, take on bad debt, and repeat the cycle until retirement…well, if you make it there. This creates a multitude of people who are unhappy, unfulfilled, and just going through life without any direction.

If I start all over again… I’ll start working on my Launchpad

If I had to start all over again with minimal resources, the first thing I’d do is pay myself first. I’d work as hard as I could, but not just to cover expenses. My focus would be on doubling down on savings—not for random splurges, but for something worthwhile.

Here’s the thing: even if you have no idea what business to start or what career path to take, this is the foundation. Start by building a fund for yourself—a financial safety net that can eventually become a launchpad for your goals.

By paying yourself, you're giving yourself the freedom to take risks, start something new, or invest when the right opportunity comes along. You can’t build anything worthwhile if you’re constantly stuck in the cycle of just getting by.

Putting Fear Into Perspective

Fear is natural. It’s how our brain protects us. But here’s the thing—90% of the fears we imagine will never actually happen. Our minds are wired to focus on what could go wrong rather than what could go right. And while that might have kept our ancestors safe from predators, today it often keeps us stuck.

Fear is a signal, not a stop sign. When you feel it, it’s an opportunity to ask yourself, “What’s really holding me back? Is it the fear of failure, or the fear of stepping into something unfamiliar?” Most of the time, it’s the latter.

Let’s put fear into perspective. Yes, there are risks in pursuing your goals. But there are also risks in doing nothing. Staying in the same cycle, relying on the same paycheck, and never taking steps toward something bigger comes with its own set of consequences.

It Isn’t Luck, It’s Positioning Yourself for It

Let’s talk about luck. In our society, there’s this belief that the rich are the “lucky ones,” while everyone else is stuck playing a losing hand. Sure, some people are born into better circumstances. They’re handed better cards.

But the truth is… you’re not stuck where you are. You can move out of the places you don’t want to be. It’s a choice. Luck isn’t random. It’s the result of preparation meeting opportunity. When you take small, deliberate steps to improve your financial situation, grow your knowledge, and expand your network, you’re setting the stage for those lucky breaks to happen.

Don’t Wait to Be Disciplined…Automate It!

Discipline is important, no doubt. But waiting to feel disciplined or motivated is like waiting for perfect conditions. It’s not reliable. That’s why one of the smartest moves you can make is to take discipline out of the equation and automate the effort or create that automatic environment that gives you NO CHOICE but do the things you need to do to reach your goals.

Example: Automating your savings and investments is one of the simplest, most effective ways to beat the system. By setting up automatic transfers, you ensure that a portion of your income is going straight into your investment accounts every month—no second-guessing, no forgetting, no excuses.

Protect Your Freedom

When you strip it all down, why do we really want to be wealthy? It’s not just for the cars, the big houses, or the vacations. Sure, those things are nice, but they’re not the real reason. The root of it all is freedom.

But here’s the thing: building wealth isn’t enough. You also have to protect it. Without protection, your freedom can slip away when life throws its inevitable curveballs.

Protecting your freedom means making sure your financial foundation is solid. That includes having the right insurance, an estate plan, and understanding how taxes impact your wealth. These are things most people overlook because society doesn’t talk about them.

Think for Yourself

The most important lesson of all is to think critically. The system wants you to follow the crowd, stay in line, and not question the rules. But real wealth comes from stepping outside the matrix and creating your own path.

Read books, talk to successful people, and educate yourself. The more you learn, the more you’ll see the cracks in the system and the opportunities to break free.

About Michael Guthrie Michael Guthrie is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and capital raiser who has spent years helping others achieve financial freedom through smart investments and strategic planning. With a background in building multimillion-dollar businesses and a passion for educating others, Michael is committed to guiding people toward building wealth and living life on their terms.

For more insights and opportunities, visit PacificCapitalLLC.com.