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.”