Avoid Playing Status Games
The returns in life are small and they'll never match your true worth.
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Naval once said, “avoid playing status games,” and it sparked this week’s letter.
To summarize, Naval said…
Seek wealth, not money or status…
The purpose of wealth is freedom; it’s nothing more than that. It’s not to buy fur coats, or to drive Ferraris, or to sail yachts, or to jet around the world in a Gulf Stream. That stuff gets really boring and stupid, really fast. It’s about being your own sovereign individual…
The purpose of status is your rank in the social hierarchy…
Wealth is a very positive-sum game. We create things together starting with this piece of art that explains what we’re doing. At the end of it, something brand new will be created. It’s a positive-sum game.
Status, on the other hand, is a zero-sum game. It’s very old and it’s hierarchical. Who’s number one? Who’s number two? Who’s number three? And for number three to move to number two, number two has to move out of that slot.
To be the winner, there must be a loser. Fundamentally, I don’t like status games…
The problem is, to win at a status game you have to put somebody else down to elevate yourself and the people you like.
Status games are always going to exist; there’s no way around it… People who play these games are trying to up their own status at your expense.
They’re playing a different game and its worse. It’s zero-sum instead of positive-sum.
With that being said, I’d like to take his concepts a step further.
Status as it plays a role in society is a very fleeting concept to me.
In short, actively pursuing the validation of others takes up a lot more time than actively pursuing your purpose, which includes your creativity, your health, your wealth, your happiness and your impact.
Why?
Because status games promote a public display of information for approval from the external world, which is not responsible for your outcomes, your results or your overall well-being.
Its sole responsibility is to keep you in a constant loop of seeking validation.
These same games promote choosing people who “appear” to add value based on their titles, labels, metrics and material presentation, but may lack in follow through, reliability, accountability and longevity.
Appearance is not the same as being able to execute on your word, nor is it an accurate representation of an individual’s skillsets.
Wealth games, however, or “creation” games (as I like to call it), promote your abilities, your brain, critical thinking and your worthiness.
That is, you are actively building yourself, and your ideas and concepts, from an intentional state, often purpose driven, while adding value to people and markets and earning a return in the process.
That return is a good reputation, respect, peace, abundance and a solid cash-flow.
Wealth games create, status games consume.
Read this week’s Simplify, Multiply, Diversify below…👇🏼
SIMPLIFY…
Remove the fluff. You don’t need it.
Translation:
Don’t overcomplicate things by…
Trying to project an outward image. You’ll only impress others trying to do the same, and if you’re all busy impressing each other, purpose takes a back seat and the work never gets done.
Overselling… everything. You’re not here to convince anyone of anything. When you stay committed to your work, both inner and professional self-mastery, you gain enough knowledge and experience to provide better outcomes for yourself and others. The market, or your personal circle, will either listen to you or go learn it on their own.
Over-consuming. This leaves you drained and less focused. Concurrently, you also give away your life force energy which should be used for creating. If you’re going to consume, consume what you need, not what overwhelms you.
MULTIPLY…
Don’t pay attention to industry or competition. They’re often very noisy and express themselves with a variety of emotions. Instead, only be concerned with serving your intended audience. That relationship will keep you focused on your purpose and growing your wealth, as well as theirs.
When you’re in acts of service, you’re solely focused on delivering value.
Your industry has too many opinions and your audience has tons of options, but they never forget how you make them feel. Give them an insane amount of value and respect and they’ll pay dividends for years to come.
DIVERSIFY…
Status games keep you playing the rat race. Creation games keep you free, sovereign and unattached. The former costs you a life. The latter creates one.
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🔥🔥🔥🔥 I read this letter 4 times before I was able to gather ALL my reflections & take aways! This was so insightful on many levels.
“actively pursuing the validation of others takes up a lot more time than actively pursuing your purpose, which includes your creativity, your health, your wealth, your happiness and your impact.”- I really resonate with this statement in a more personal way! Most of my life I sought the validation of my brother. HAD TO HAVE IT. Now I know we had a deep trauma bond. Once I stopped seeking his validation and started living my life for me and pursing my passions life expanded in so many ways. Which is directly reflected in my business.
I also really resonate with building something that is purpose driven, intentional, adds value to people & produces income. Im currently experiencing this in real time, facilitating my work for a group of 50 women. It is fun and easy and so aligned. As I work through my money story that statement is so HUGE and I created it.
When you’re in acts of service, you’re solely focused on delivering value— I feel this sooo deeply. I’m going to have to expand in a voice message because I have a great story around this! 💚🙏🏼
Don’t over complicate things!!! 🔥🔥
“If you have to convince someone, you already lost.”- You said that at all the things business and it’s always repeated in my head. 👌🏽👌🏽