My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Money doesn't make you happy - it creates different types of anxiety you didn't know existed while potentially solving others
The Reasoning
High income creates new stressors (lifestyle inflation, performance pressure, addiction enablement) while solving basic survival stresses
What Needs to Be True
- Person has experienced both significant wealth and financial stress
- Individual is prone to lifestyle inflation and status competition
- Basic needs were already met before wealth increase
Counterargument
Money eliminates major sources of stress (healthcare, housing, education) and provides freedom to pursue meaningful work
What Would Change This View
Studies showing sustained happiness increases above certain income thresholds, or personal experience of wealth without lifestyle inflation
Implications for Builders
Focus on building 'enough' rather than maximizing income
Design businesses around freedom rather than just revenue
Be intentional about lifestyle choices as income grows
Example Application
“Entrepreneur chooses freelance consulting at $300K/year over executive role at $800K/year because the consulting provides more autonomy and fewer golden handcuffs.”
Related Knowledge
All-In Commitment Framework
Complete dedication to one specific goal where you eliminate all competing priorities and commit 100% of your energy and focus.
Controlled Suffering Framework
Deliberately seeking difficult physical or mental challenges to build tolerance for discomfort and develop mental strength that transfers to other areas.
Optimal performance in high-stakes competitive events
Peak physical and mental performance on event day with no regrets about preparation
Successfully transition from employee to entrepreneur/independent operator
Financial independence through your own skills and relationships rather than employer dependence
The Coward-Hero Equivalence Model
Cowards and heroes feel identical emotions in dangerous situations - the only difference is their behavioral response to
Internal Narrative Supremacy Model
The story you tell yourself about a situation matters more than the objective reality because your narrative controls yo