It’s the People

It’s The People

I am a different person than I was one year ago.  Although my financial position has not changed drastically, almost everything else has.  I have let go of a large portion of my work life.  I now write a blog and host a podcast, neither of which existed one year ago.  I have gone to countless meetups, get togethers, and financial conferences.  But all of that fails to impress compared to the relationships.  It’s the people that have meant the most.

I look at my email inbox and am stunned at how different it looks from just one short year ago.  Back then I was reading all these blogs and listening to podcasts of people who impressed me.  Now I am actually having conversations with them.  Some are friends.  Some are just acquaintances.  Almost all would respond cordially to a text, email, or phone call.  

Almost Famous

It would be shortsighted to say that my stockeresque qualities are what lead to the most lasting relationships.  Certainly I am closer friends with some of those people.  

But by far, it is the blogging and twitter buddies Ive made that continue to add value to my life today.  These guys and gals were like me, creating content on the periphery and slowly chugging into the community.  

Being in the same place in the continuum, we were able to grow and learn together.  Whether it be increasing blog traffic or starting a new venture, these people became my support team.  

The What’s Up Next Podcast is a direct result of these friends encouraging me.  They became the fuel to power my rocket, and often the grist for the first few episodes.  

It’s the people.

Partner In Crime

Speaking of the podcast, Paul Thompson and I hadn’t even met one year ago.  We had no idea who each other was until CampFI Midwest.  And then we both spoke at CampFI South.

While the meeting itself was spectacular and lots of good info was shared, it’s the people who have changed my life.  In Paul I saw a thoughtful, introspective guy who not only thought deeply about real estate but also life.  

While I had a lot of connections and friendships within the financial independence community, he had all the experience and know how to create and edit a podcast.  We were a perfect match to come together for a creative endeavor.

A creative endeavor which has now become a big part of my post half retirement purpose.  

Support

Unlike many, I didn’t come to the financial independence community because I needed help organizing my financial life.  By the time I discovered this wonderful group of people, I was already well on my way.  It was never about information exchange for me.

I did, however, lack the confidence and courage to take the next steps toward recreating my identity and purpose outside of medicine.  It’s the people that I needed the most.  

I needed positive role models who walked the path before me, and friends and supporters to boost me up when me resolve started to sag.  I had tried finding this support in my previous relationships and instead found confusion.  

Friends and family outside of this community don’t always understand the unique issues of those of us who have opted for financial freedom.  

Final Thoughts

It’s not the money or the financial advice.  Nor is it the business opportunities available to any content creator that makes a name for themselves in a community.  It’s the people.

The people are who make this journey worthwhile.

The people will outlast everything else.