The pursuit of wealth at the sacrifice of artistic interest

[ambush]

I have recently started reading the book "How to Get Rich" by Felix Dennis, courtesy of Leos book list. I have never actually put any real effort into making money besides working a job like most people. So far the book is quite interesting and I like the way the author writes. At one point he lists a bunch of reasons why you should put down the book because in his words "you will never get rich". One of those reasons is "If you have artistic inclinations and fear that the search for wealth will coarsen such talents or degrade them, you will never get rich (because your fear, in this instance, is well justified)". When I first saw that I re read it like 5 times for whatever reason and now it's got me stuck a little.

I'll be honest and tell you that I am not some well practiced artist of any kind really, that said, I have interest in writing and creating stories. This business stuff isn't really my forte but I see it more as as means to a secure life then something I do for fun which is creativity. I have recently bought the life purpose course, and although I am pretty sure writing is the thing I am meant to do, I am gonna do the life purpose course anyways because I trust in the value it can bring to my life. All this to say, It feels as if the author is basically telling me I must throw all that  shit out the window if I want to get rich. I was wondering, those of you who have got rich, what is your experience with this. Do you feel like you are too busy to pursuit creative things? Is it one or the other? Can I have my cake and eat it too? haha. 

[Lyubov]

Some great questions here.

I would say that if you have a creative vision and something you wish to create artistically it doesn’t automatically mean that you will be broke, but it also doesn’t mean it will supply sustenance. 

You have to be stone cold clear with yourself about creative ambitions and watch what expectations you place on it. You have to observe the world with a still mind and clarity to see how it works and how to move. Simultaneously at the same time you need to be a bit crazy and put energy into this passion inside of you, this quiet voice asking you to create. That is sorta the creative process in a nutshell. 

A lot of artists usually go too far towards one side, for better or worse. You get some creative types who took ginormous risks and it ended up paying off and you do have some who played it way too safe and got discouraged and put out the fire inside of them for a more predictable and “safer” life. There is a flow and timing for everything. Sometimes you might be at a chapter in life where you can take bigger risks or put more energy into your art, other times the winter is coming and you have to be a worker ant or else you’ll end up like the grass hopper. 

It’s all about the flow and dance but most importantly not confusing that your art doesn’t determine if you are valuable. 

[LordFall]

I think it's gonna be easier than ever to have your cake and eat it too in the AI age. The legacy answer would be to have a cashflow business that finances your art and other pursuits but most businesses that do well take so much energy and time that you won't have much left over to work on the passion project.

If I were you I would definitely finish that book and read Alex Hormozi's books on business models and offers so you can learn how to make a lot of money efficiently so you can either start your passion project on the side or stack up enough to quit and go full time in the other one like Leo did with Actualized.org 

[Lyubov]

6 minutes ago, LordFall said:

I think it's gonna be easier than ever to have your cake and eat it too in the AI age.

Why do you think so? 

[Elliott]

I think that's bullshit

 

For a period of time, yes, you have to focus on your means. But getting truly wealthy requires generations, it's best to utilize time, not brute force,  brute force leads to ruin not wealth. The artistic side of you is what will build relationships, and buildup amazing children that will be able to build upon what you do. Relationships are how the wealthy get wealthy.

[Heaven]

28 minutes ago, Elliott said:

I think that's bullshit

 

For a period of time, yes, you have to focus on your means. But getting truly wealthy requires generations, it's best to utilize time, not brute force,  brute force leads to ruin not wealth. The artistic side of you is what will build relationships, and buildup amazing children that will be able to build upon what you do. Relationships are how the wealthy get wealthy.

I second that.

Also when you do what you love this is the true path to fulfillment and happiness.

Of course don’t be broke while doing it.

But you don’t really need to be super wealthy as well.

[LordFall]

22 minutes ago, Lyubov said:

Why do you think so? 

It reduces the barrier to viability of a lot of businesses models so you can make profit in a lot of ways that were not possible previously. For example you can make videos, create a product related to it and build an outreach system and CRM that tracks everything for you whereas before only people very talented in marketing could aim to do something similar or an agency with a lot of manpower. 

This is a guy who's journey I'm following because he has a cool project that is similar than mine. He is very stubborn and refuses to use AI and is ruining himself hiring human artists to draw his comics. I think he is doing it the wrong way and investing too much upfront whereas that money can be vital for him further down the line once commercial viability is proven and he could put some capital towards blowing up his vision. 

I think at the moment his comics look mediocre and he could make a better one in 30 mins by using AI. I am curious where he will end up 1-2 years from now and if he will end up going the AI route or stay stubborn and fail or if he will persevere with his route and somehow succeed. 

[PsychedelicEagle]

The author is pointing to the fact that if you want to get rich you have to make getting rich your #1 priority, at the expense of everything else. It relates to the concept of 100% commitment. That is how you maximize your chance of building outstanding wealth.

19 hours ago, ambush said:

Can I have my cake and eat it too?

What is being rich for you? How much do you want to make? There are many creative jobs out there that pay 6 or even 7 figures if you acquire rare and valuable skills. Perhaps you should invest some time and contemplate what it is that you want — how much money, and how much creative freedom.

20 hours ago, ambush said:

I am gonna do the life purpose course anyways because I trust in the value it can bring to my life.

The Life Purpose Course is literally the best online product I ever came across. 

[PsychedelicEagle]

5 hours ago, Elliott said:

But getting truly wealthy requires generations, it's best to utilize time, not brute force,  brute force leads to ruin not wealth. The artistic side of you is what will build relationships, and buildup amazing children that will be able to build upon what you do. Relationships are how the wealthy get wealthy.

Interesting perspective. There are outliers, but generally I agree. What would you consider true wealth here?

[Joseph Maynor]

You do want to make the money required to survive well.  There is no shame in this.