Don’t End Up As The Richest Man In The Graveyard

What's the point of the Game Plan for wealthy people?

Some say to me that the Game Plan isn't for everyone. They see the point for those with little or no assets, for we show them how to make assets before we show them how to save assets they've already made, how to profit from meaningful projects for the wealth creators if you like.

But they don’t see the point for wealth keepers. What’s the point in an Ikigai project that creates profit for the wealthy? Such projects combine what you are good at with what you love, the world needs, and you get paid for. What is the point of getting paid when you have enough wealth? Wouldn’t you better have a financial plan to live your best life without outliving your capital?

You might think you've stumped me. I didn't see that one coming. You can now carry on with your old-school planning with your wealthy clients.

The truth is not so simple. The answer is that you have missed the point unless you intend the outcome to be your client ending up as the wealthiest client in the graveyard!

Profit is more assets. By assets, I don't mean money.

Following this newsletter, you will know that many different types of assets exist. There are tangible assets like property, pensions, financial, business, and physical assets. Then there are intangible assets.

Let me remind you of three main types of intangible assets. They are productive assets (that you leverage for wealth – such as brand, connections, skill, and intellectual property). Vitality assets (that you leverage for well-being – such as purpose to get up in the morning, social bubble, physical well-being, mental well-being). And transformational assets (that you leverage for resilience for change – like reputation/ good character, social connections network, physical fitness and resilience, learning for mental resilience).

These intangible assets are the necessary assets of the wealthy that you will often find in short supply. And investment in vitality assets and transformational assets is proven to help you live longer and better, so avoid becoming the wealthiest man in the graveyard.

Before I hit you with all the health benefits of Ikigai projects, let me explain to those who think I am talking some metaphysical woo-woo.

Many clients arrive at my door in deficiency mode rather than growth mode. And they want a plan for more, more, more.

?More sensory benefits. More good thoughts. More good emotions.

More things that money can buy. And therefore, more money.

It is difficult to think about growth when in deficiency mode. You want to begin the conversation with an answer to the question, will I outlive my capital?

So, with the Game Plan, you cannot outlive your capital. The plan will show you how to create more capital if you have insufficient capital. More physical assets.

When this sinks in, many say that’s good. Now show me how to grow.

When you have deficiency needs, it isn't easy to think about growth desires.

"You must master your deficiency needs before you can fulfil your growth needs.“ – Abraham Maslow.

If the ego struggles to satisfy its needs, the soul will find it difficult to satisfy its desires. Ego needs always take precedent.

Others, though, are not up for growth. They get angry with me for suggesting it. They feel criticised. Or should I say their ego feels pricked? There is a conversation waiting to be had beyond the comfort zone where 90% of people spend 90% of their lives. And the journey up beyond the boundary is recognised as a painful one.

"There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, to avoid facing the soul." -Carl Jung.

So, they remain in deficiency mode. Even though many are long past the winning post of outliving capital, deficient want more survival, safety, and security needs met.

Do you know people for whom there is never enough? Particularly around money?

They avoid the soul awakening.

The growth needs are for connection, contribution, and soul-expression.

In the Game Plan, connection and contribution are the first two questions. Soul expression is the Purpose Statement that inspires you at the end of G for Goals, all in the Significant Stories System.

Richard Barrett, in a New Psychology of Human Well-being, puts it as follows:

“The primary motivation of the soul is self-expression. Self-expression means allowing the passion and creativity of the soul to flow through your being. The soul also has two secondary motivations: connecting and contributing. We connect when we form unconditional loving relationships and live a values-driven life. We contribute when we use our skills, gifts and talents to support the well-being of others and live a purpose-driven life."

Here's my point.

The soul needs, if unfulfilled, leave you with the experience of sadness, depression, and poor health.

If you want to live longer, the must-have need is your Ikigai project.

Chosen correctly, it meets your deficiency needs and your growth needs.

The profit is not just wealth but also well-being and the ability to take life's knocks and adjust accordingly.

The path to more excellent health and well-being involves satisfying our ego's needs and our soul's desires.

Here are the results of some studies:

People who felt useful in their seventies were significantly less likely to develop health problems or die than those who didn’t. (The MacArthur Study, 2007).

Those who score highly on a ten-point test for purposefulness are 2.4 times more likely to remain free of Alzheimer's disease over seven years. (Rush University Medical Center, 2010.)

Having a sense of direction and meaning in our lives can protect us against loneliness, illness, and even pain.

Richard Barrett adds.

“You know your soul’s desires are being met when you feel your life has meaning; when you can connect with others at a deep level, and when you can use your gifts and talents to contribute to making a difference in the world.”

“The only thing preventing the soul from fulfilling its desires are the ego’s fears about meeting its deficiency needs: our survival, safety and security needs. The ego fears about meeting its deficiency needs keep it firmly attached to its physical, social and cultural identity.”

Find your Ikigai project for living longer better.

"What you need to transcend is your exclusive identification with your separate egoic self. For it is your sense of being a skin-encapsulated ego, that creates the sense of suffocation, fear, and drabness that passes as your life. This fundamental error in identity is the root of virtually all suffering."?– Marc Gafni, Philosopher.

“Everyone has his specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.” – Victor Frankyl.

Think AoLP - If you want to learn more about Advice-only Life Planning, contact the Academy of Life Planning.