I received a sharp reminder this week about the relative importance of money in our lives. I clearly spend a lot of time thinking and writing about money in these letters and it could be easy to fall into the trap of thinking money is the end goal. However, money is just a media, that helps facilitate trade, of time, energy, and value. The best money preserves that time, energy and value and it’s those things I’m trying to maximise.
1. Will Glover
Will Glover is my step-nephew, who tragically passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 21. On what would have been Will’s 22nd birthday last week, we celebrated his life with family and friends, where his mum shared with us some music he’d been working on, that contained this quote from Alan Watts:
“When we finally got down to something, which the individual says he really wants to do, I will say to him, you do that and forget the money, because, if you say that getting the money is the most important thing, you will spend your life completely wasting your time. You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living, that is to go on doing things you don’t like doing, which is stupid. Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way. And after all, if you do really like what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter what it is, you can eventually turn it – you could eventually become a master of it. It’s the only way to become a master of something, to be really with it. And then you’ll be able to get a good fee for whatever it is.”
Will’s mum wanted everyone to hear what he was trying to say, so to share it that little bit further, I’m sharing with you too.
2. Prof G
The quote reminded me of what NYU Stern’s Professor Galloway said a few years ago that “following your passion is bullshit” and instead people should, “find out what you’re good at and then invest 10,000 hours in it — and become great at it”.
When I first heard this, it didn’t sit well with me, and I couldn’t fully put my finger on it. With the help of Will, I think it’s clicked and I’m certainly more in agreement with Alan Watts than I am Prof G. After all, I’m very good at snoring while sleeping off a few beers, but I don’t think investing 10,000 hours in that is really going to make a difference to my overall wellbeing and happiness.
3. The Skatepark
Will was a great skateboarder and that was one of his passions that he dedicated his time to, especially in helping others learn to skate. He was about to volunteer at a skatepark charity for underprivileged kids when he finished University, so while he won’t get to do that now, we’re raising money for them as part of his legacy, which you can donate to here.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/skate-park-fund-in-memory-of-will-glover
4. The Music
As a last gift, here’s a link to Will’s music that he published on YouTube. WJG Audio - YouTube. The track I’ve referenced is called Berlin’s Sewer
Thank you Will, for sharing a powerful message with me. I’ll try and live up to it for whatever time I have left. Rest in peace.
Peace, love, and Bitcoin,
Rob