Member-only story
The Boring Ideas That Make You Rich: A Journey Toward Financial Freedom
When I started my career over ten years ago, just like many others, I dreamed of financial freedom. The idea of retiring early, living life on my own terms, was a constant goal. As a fresh graduate with an above-average income, I began devouring books and articles on how to make money. The secrets seemed simple — mark off the checklist, follow the advice, and eventually, you’d get there.
Fast forward ten years, and I’m not yet “financially free” in the way I once imagined. But these ten years have been liberating in ways I never expected. Along the way, I learned that financial freedom wasn’t necessarily about retiring early, but about finding a career where you didn’t feel “stuck” — a job or lifestyle that didn’t require you to ever retire in the traditional sense. That was my first breakthrough. I didn’t just want a way out; I wanted work that I didn’t feel the need to escape from.
I also learned something important about money: It’s not everything. Once I understood that, I started to focus less on making more and more on developing qualities in myself that would set me up for long-term success. But here’s where I hit a crossroads: I had multiple business ideas, but I wasn’t really interested in starting a company. What I was passionate about was reading, exploring, and experiencing life.
