In 1931 an Englishman named Aldous Huxley wrote a novel called Brave New World about a future society that apparently had it made. Through advanced technology and meticulous government systems, everyone in this society had comfort, security, and entertainment in endless supply. But in the end, this “perfect” society turns out to be a nightmare. Too much [Continue Reading]
How to Get True Security
I admit it. More than one emotion has motivated me as an entrepreneur and real estate investor. When I started from scratch right out of college with nothing but my wits and my energy, I was motivated by excitement and adventure. I felt like a courageous mountain climber leaving base camp for the summit of [Continue Reading]
Destination Financial Independence – The Peak and Plateaus of Early Retirement
I’ve never climbed extreme mountains. The idea of risking hypothermia, frostbite, and deadly falls never appealed to me. But I do love the outdoors, hiking, and ascending less risky peaks. And I love comparing the climb towards financial independence to the thrill of climbing a real mountain. But there’s a problem comparing financial climbs to real climbs. [Continue Reading]
Define the Nightmare: The Power of Pessimism
As soon as I cut through the vague unease and ambiguous anxiety by defining my nightmare, the worse-case scenario, I wasn’t as worried about taking a trip. Suddenly, I started thinking of simple steps I could take to salvage my remaining resources and get back on track if all hell struck at once. I could [Continue Reading]