I had thought exactly about this for a long time. Even though I never had a formal job, I can't ignore how people are losing their autonomy and putting golden chains tied to money.
This ties to AI and the massive job crumble we are having, with people protecting their jobs either from their fear of losing stability it provides, or how much meaning they tie to it.
The problem is that you're selling your resources for something that isn't yours, that you didn't create, fully control, or understand. You're accepting these chains because they're so tempting, simple to understand, and you feel safe, but it slowly shows as a prison, and you fight for the system that handled the chains instead of creating something that gives autonomy while not losing your mind. Not because you like the system, but because you're dependent of it.
A great perspective and nicely conveyed! I didn’t associate the word “leverage” with this aspect of life, but I think I was already intuitively looking for a term.
This reminds me of one strategy course where a simple 3A framework was presented: assets, activities, advantages. Your concept of leverage relates to diversifying your valuable personal assets (not only financial) and added-value activities performed with those. Then you can aim for multitude of advantages, including the freedom to walk away from any single dysfunctional system, instead of just optimizing for money.
Income expands options but without intentional boundaries, it also expands responsibility. Freedom isn’t about earning more. It’s about designing what more is for.
Benjamin, I get so much value from your insights! I just texted your words below to my 40 -ish daughter who is on a leadership track in retail. I’m hoping it helps her think beyond and into the future, especially as AI may impact her industry.
“What changed was where I started to direct my energy and attention. This is what I have come to describe as dual positioning which is simply the decision to stop concentrating your entire future in one place.
You can keep the job, you can honour the responsibilities, but you no longer treat it as the sole container of your ambition, identity, and income.
At the same time, you begin building something that exists outside it, a body of work, a reputation, a small stream of independent revenue or intellectual property attached to your name rather than your title.
The point is not to quit, and it is not to double your workload for the sake of it. It is to widen the base beneath your life so that progress is no longer measured only by how far you can climb inside one structure.”
I’ve been thinking about this very topic as a gill net, a type of fishing tool that you set and walk away. If it’s well-located, you return later and there’s a fish or two in it. You do this in addition to setting snare traps, foraging berries and roots, and perhaps bow hunting fowl and beasts. Gill netting and snares allow you to conserve energy. Still lots of work, but also to do other things, like working on your shelter.
You frame this beautifully. I also like your notes. I’m efforting to implement your 10 note system. I still get caught up in chasing viral topics.
I had thought exactly about this for a long time. Even though I never had a formal job, I can't ignore how people are losing their autonomy and putting golden chains tied to money.
This ties to AI and the massive job crumble we are having, with people protecting their jobs either from their fear of losing stability it provides, or how much meaning they tie to it.
The problem is that you're selling your resources for something that isn't yours, that you didn't create, fully control, or understand. You're accepting these chains because they're so tempting, simple to understand, and you feel safe, but it slowly shows as a prison, and you fight for the system that handled the chains instead of creating something that gives autonomy while not losing your mind. Not because you like the system, but because you're dependent of it.
Yes. And the tragedy is that this is just as common in the creator economy
A great perspective and nicely conveyed! I didn’t associate the word “leverage” with this aspect of life, but I think I was already intuitively looking for a term.
This reminds me of one strategy course where a simple 3A framework was presented: assets, activities, advantages. Your concept of leverage relates to diversifying your valuable personal assets (not only financial) and added-value activities performed with those. Then you can aim for multitude of advantages, including the freedom to walk away from any single dysfunctional system, instead of just optimizing for money.
That’s a cool framework. Not heard it before, thanks for sharing
Congratulations for seeing more income was not more life. The perfect statement I think most people miss is what is more for.
Exactly. It’s necessary to go a couple of steps further and ask why are you striving for it? What’s the deeper layer?
Great article Ben. My journey has been very similar to yours! Awesome to see you are introducing a paid tier soon ;)
Hey Thanks for checking in and yes, Exciting times ahead 😀
Income expands options but without intentional boundaries, it also expands responsibility. Freedom isn’t about earning more. It’s about designing what more is for.
Benjamin, I get so much value from your insights! I just texted your words below to my 40 -ish daughter who is on a leadership track in retail. I’m hoping it helps her think beyond and into the future, especially as AI may impact her industry.
“What changed was where I started to direct my energy and attention. This is what I have come to describe as dual positioning which is simply the decision to stop concentrating your entire future in one place.
You can keep the job, you can honour the responsibilities, but you no longer treat it as the sole container of your ambition, identity, and income.
At the same time, you begin building something that exists outside it, a body of work, a reputation, a small stream of independent revenue or intellectual property attached to your name rather than your title.
The point is not to quit, and it is not to double your workload for the sake of it. It is to widen the base beneath your life so that progress is no longer measured only by how far you can climb inside one structure.”
I’ve been thinking about this very topic as a gill net, a type of fishing tool that you set and walk away. If it’s well-located, you return later and there’s a fish or two in it. You do this in addition to setting snare traps, foraging berries and roots, and perhaps bow hunting fowl and beasts. Gill netting and snares allow you to conserve energy. Still lots of work, but also to do other things, like working on your shelter.
You frame this beautifully. I also like your notes. I’m efforting to implement your 10 note system. I still get caught up in chasing viral topics.