Reclaiming the American Dream

Well, it’s been a rather consequential week here in America. Once again, the polls were way off and instead of a close-run contest we got a landslide. Thankfully, we avoided things like mass political violence and the specter of a contested election. By and large, Americans turned out to do just what they were supposed to do: vote. 

While it will take some time to figure out exactly what happened, I think Harris and the Democrats lost so badly because they had a messaging problem. It looks like they overplayed the “threat to democracy” card and over-relied on the apparent strength of the single-issue abortion vote. Turns out, what Americans are really concerned about is the economy and Trump and the Republicans offered a more compelling case. Whether tax cuts, border security, tariffs, and de-regulation can actually deliver widespread economic growth remains to be seen. But it certainly sounds better than the Democrats’ hodgepodge platform of raising taxes for some, cutting for others, instituting price controls to combat inflation, and doubling down on regulation. 

However we feel about the election results—ecstatic or depressed—our task remains the same. We must continue the work of building wealth without compromising our integrity. My advice for you all today is to take this moment as an opportunity to recommit yourself to the cause of your own life. Lean into the path of discipline and purpose. Work hard towards a vision of a future that you can believe in. Win or lose, no election can define you and the unique purpose of your life. Only you can do that. 

You see, elections are as much a beginning as they are an end. The feeling we should have today is not “Oh no!” or “So what?” because elections do matter and the rules/laws often change but rather “Now what!” because the challenge of life goes on. As several great Americans have said, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” 

We engage in political life not to prove that one side is right and another wrong or to win some decisive victory but rather simply because we are bound together by the sacred responsibilities of citizenship. We have no other choice. We determined long ago that we would rather rule together, accepting all the messiness, confusion, and occasional conflict that comes along with, than be ruled by another. 

The beauty of our way of life is that so long as we fulfill our democratic duties, the State can ask no more of us. We are free, free to live our lives and pursue our dreams. As much as I believe and advocate for active citizenship and collective action, I believe in the power of the individual as a force for good.

We all have the right to pursue success in life on our own terms. That’s the true meaning of the American Dream. It’s not about getting rich, although wealth has its appeal. It’s not about housing, although it’s great to have a house. It’s about the chance for authentic success, the chance to be yourself, to be happy, and to feel fulfilled in that. What more could we ask for?

The American Dream is not some guaranteed thing, of course, because that’s not how life works. It’s the chance. Think of all the people who never got that chance. Think of the millions upon millions of people who died under tyrannical rulers or fighting for some form of freedom or another. In the long annals of history, just having the opportunity to be a success puts you in rare, rare company. 

I am determined to make sure we don’t waste this unique historical opportunity. That’s my ultimate purpose for Profit+. I’m not going to waste my own chance, that’s for sure, and along the way, I want to help as many of you as I can. 

So, what can you do today to make a difference in your life? 

Now feels like a good time to double down on the path of building wealth. With Trump and the Republicans firmly in control of the National government and seemingly committed to a pro-business agenda, this could be an incredible time for business. Given what’s happening with AI and robotics, it may even be a Golden Age. 

So, start taking steps to become an entrepreneur.

If you don’t know how, reach out to me and consider joining the Profit+ Lab.

If you simply cannot, work for a start-up/entrepreneur and try to get some options or shares along the way! Whatever you do, position yourself to become an owner.

Follow your calling.

If you don’t know what it is yet, work for someone who does and do the internal work necessary to discover your own, whatever that entails.

Live with purpose.

If you don’t have one, stop everything you are doing and develop one! 

Profit+ Inspiration

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy.

I awoke and saw that life was service.

I acted and behold, service was joy.”

-Rabindranath Tagore

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