I’m reading a fantastic book right now called How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis.
I consider him to be a bit like a “modern-day Solomon.” After all, like Solomon, Dennis has acquired much wealth in his lifetime. And also like Solomon, Dennis spent a few years in total debauchery, after which he became wiser and more introspective.
Today, Dennis spends much of his time writing poetry, proffering advice to young entrepreneurs, and doing whatever else he feels like.
Anyway, you might think a book with the title How to Get Rich would be full of “Law of Attraction” fluff. But it’s not. It contains some of the most practical principle-based advice I’ve ever seen in a business book.
One of the little gems I wanted to share with you appears on page 214 where Dennis says:
Enjoy the business of making money. The loot is only a marker. Time cannot be recaptured. There is no amount of pie in the world worth being miserable for, day after day. If you find you dislike what you are doing, then sell up and change your life. Self-imposed misery is a kind of madness. The cure is to get out.
I think this is very good advice.
And it reminds me of a quote I shared on Facebook recently:
The most dangerous risk of all [is] the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.
-Randy Komisar
Many people take this bet. But it’s a bad bet. It rarely pays off.
Talk to anybody who is approaching (or already in) their twilight years and they will tell you the one thing they would trade everything in the world for is good health… vitality… and the energy of youth.
These things are often sacrificed on the alter of Mammon — and yet health, once lost, can never be repurchased at any price.
And now you know why I refuse to work insane hours or intentionally sacrifice my health to get rich.
I’d much prefer good health with some money than sickness with all the riches on earth.
Remember: You can’t take your money with you. But the pursuit of money can take your health from you — and hasten the day of your departure.
-Ryan M. Healy
About Ryan M. Healy
Ryan Healy is a direct response copywriter. Since 2002, he has worked with scores of clients, including BoostCTR, Alex Mandossian, Terry Dean, and Pulte Homes. He writes a popular blog about copywriting, advertising, and business growth, has been featured in publications like Feed Front magazine, and is a regular contributor to WordStream.com, BoostCTR.com, and MarketingForSuccess.com.
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Ryan,
Since both of us liked this article, I think it would make the perfect compliment to your post today: http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/14/world/europe/heston-blumenthal-fat-duck/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
Please be sure to watch the video folks, it really is intriguing and inspiring.
I vouch for that. The video/article above is quite interesting and inspiring.
Ryan,
Yep, enjoy the journey. Check.
We are only on this earth for 75 or so trips around the Sun… enjoy each one.
I’m hoping for 100 trips with good health — at least! ;-)
(I can dream, right?)
Amen to that, Ryan!
Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!
The older I get the more true I realize the truth in the quotes you shared, Ryan. Fear often holds us back. There are several ideas I had in the past to pursue doing what I want, but they never made it past the idea stage. I pray that time is over now as I move forward in some new ventures. We’ll see…
It’s never too late to launch a new venture. I’m rooting for you, Mark! :-)
Well, I finally got my wife on board to start a writing business from editing to various types of copy. Her bachelors degree is in English with a minor in journalism. I was able to get some work for her with an well-known Christian author which really motivated her.
Now, if I can just get focused and moving forward.
Thank, Ryan!
Great post Ryan. I was “out”, and due to circumstances now back “in”. But I will be out of the “race” again so help me God! When you had money, then don’t, your (at least my) sense of security and tolerance for risk get all out of whack. But I can’t use that as an excuse. I had a great run a while back and will have another one. Just need to grow some balls back and breakout without jeopardizing my family.
Can’t wait to read this book.
Thanks!
Jim
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