Recently ran across a Tim Ferriss blog post where he is taking advantage of recent changes in investment solicitation laws. Prior to the change (which came into effect this week), only “members of the club” were allowed to be solicited for investments in private, non-registered, companies. Now, you can solicit anyone, but still can only accept investments from so-called “accredited” investors (i.e., rich dudes, or at least rich by world standards). Tim, a renowned “angel” investor, is taking advantage so as to let his richer blog followers in on his latest investments, normally start-up technology ones (for instance, he was an early investor in Facebook).
Private equity is indeed where the action is and where the big money is made (and lost). But it is a rich man’s game and the vast majority of humanity just isn’t allowed to play. The recent trend of “crowdfunding” with sites like Kickstarter proposes to change that to some extent, but so far the laws that only deem the rich “capable” of playing are still in full force. So, this new law really changed nothing for people like us, but only allows private companies to more easily reach out to rich investors.
Now, having tapped out the above rant to start this post, what am I really saying with respect to impact mindfulness and wealth? Am I against success? No, of course not. I certainly do not begrudge anyone’s success. And impact mindfulness does not propose that we all take a vow of poverty. Like I have said before, the concept is purely motivational and supplies the “why” for pursuing…life’s pursuits. It also encourages a de-focusing of attention on the financial end results. I mean, of course we have to “make a living”, but we don’t have to “get rich.”
Of course we have to “make a living”, but we don’t have to “get rich.”
I am familiar with the rules of the private equity game. A game, that along with its close relative, the hedge fund, brought the United States economy to its knees in 2008. The game and its players operate under the radar screen of scrutiny suffered by the public stock markets. Of course, the end game for private equity generally is entry (or exit) from that market. It is a game reserved for the richest of the rich…the so-called 1%. And the motive is to exponentially expand the already tremendous wealth of its players. Admittedly, innovations that improve the lives of us all are sometimes created in the process. But the motive for doing so is wealth, pure and simple.
Which is where my little concept for impact mindfulness would have an issue. When the motive is wealth, “success” tends to become nothing more than rapidly burning fuel for the ever expanding engine of consumption. Impact mindfulness would rather encourage one to consume less, live more, and be an inspiration for others to do the same. I am awed by this newly sprouted community of online entrepreneurs who are doing and encouraging just that.
When the motive is wealth, “success” tends to become nothing more than rapidly burning fuel for the ever expanding engine of consumption.
I believe checking motivation is essential. We have to ask ourselves, honestly, why am I doing this? Is it to achieve wealth, to consume more? If it is, that’s fine. But don’t expect real positive impact to come from that, nor true happiness and fulfillment.
Wouldn’t I like to invest with the amazing Tim Ferriss? Well, my answer is no. Not because I am a poor guy and would never qualify in the first place, but because I know any motivation I could rationalize for doing so would come from the wrong place.
And I don’t want to do that anymore.
