I was talking with my friend, Jake Thompson about a project we’re doing to send athletic clothes to some special needs athletes in Wichita East school ( the story is here and here). My friend, Angel is also helping out. Jake and I were discussing that service was a very important part of ownership. I said to Jake, “Money is a subset of value.”
Money is a SUBSET of Value
My friend Anthony talks about value creation all the time. He works with sales organizations to help them forge what he calls “Level 4 Value Creation.” I’m not smart enough to explain that but I know that the way *I* know how to do business is that I create value, often more than I charge for, and that the whole concept is that value is this nice broad spectrum, of which money is only part.
Jake and Angel and I are working on doing something for some kids who were treated poorly by their principal and some teachers at their school. That’s the opposite of anything to do with money. We just think it’s the right action to take, and we want to show those athletes that they belong to a bigger community than the folks who told them to take their varsity letters off their jackets. The VALUE is that we get to feel really good. The VALUE is that we get to help others feel good by channeling their intentions towards some folks who can use the support.
When I launched Online Course Maker (not for sale right now), my goal was to help people build online courses so they could stop trading dollars for hours. I wanted them to experience what I’d come to appreciate: that a lot of what I know how to do is something that I can teach at a distance, thus freeing up time to help more people on the custom issues. In building out that course, I’ve spent the last several weeks adding new material as questions and ideas pop up. We’re working on technical walkthroughs and all kinds of other really great material. And it just feels SO GOOD to be of service.
Creating that material and delivering the potential for success is value. It’s a way to give value to others. It’s a way to share in an “exchange” where people can pass even more value between them. I’m just thrilled to be part of the experience.
Stop Chasing Money
I’m sitting at home typing this to you right now. I’ve got a nice mug of coffee. In a little while, I’ll probably read or play some Titanfall or something like that. Later, I’ll record some more video overviews for a project I’m working on. And I’ll do a few other tasks. I’ll hang out with my kids and my girl all weekend. I’ll talk to my parents every day (like always). And I fly out in a week or two to another great conference. The bills are getting paid (most of them). It’s all good.
I got there by creating value. More and more. The money? It comes. But only if you work relentlessly on creating value.
Take a look at my picture on this post. That was shot by Vendela at a recent event. Do I look sad? Do I look stressed? That’s me when I’m serving others, when I’m delivering value. When I’m working where I belong and helping people thrive as owners.
Try some. It’s worth it.