Chapter 11
Personal, Renewable Resources
Resources beget resources.
Money is a resource; health is a resource; knowledge, status, and influence are resources; time, energy, and experiences are resources; and relationship with self and others are resources. We organize our decisions and our lives, around attaining and sharing these resources. Whatever you do, at any given moment, expresses what you value—and by extension, your concept of wealth. In order to attain these valuable resources, you must use your own personal, renewable resources.
Renewable resources are replenished and regenerated, with time. The concept of renewable resources is often associated with the environment—think renewable energy, for instance. But the concept of renewable resources also applies to the individual. In this chapter, we'll explore how your own personal, renewable resources can help you in attaining your wealth goal(s), further building on the 5 Principles of Invisible Wealth, and the personal wealth algorithm framework.
The Relationship Between Environmental and Personal, Renewable Resources
First, have you heard the saying: “she/he is a force of nature”? It's a saying used for describing a person who has an incredible amount of energy and influence, which comes from within. This idiom maps the qualities of worldly nature, onto the individual's nature. That said, individuals can carry the same powerful attributes as nature.
Second, consider the saying “it's in her/his nature,” as an example of the similarities between environmental and personal attributes.
Third, we also see the blending together of worldly nature and individual nature in the term Mother Nature. Mother Nature is considered the source and guiding force behind all living beings and resources of the world, much the same as a mother is to her child. From these three examples, we realize how our language and culture recognize the fact that worldly, environmental resources are very similar to individual, personal resources. In fact, in some sense, they are one and the same.
Additionally, we've even seen the personification of nature in pop culture, through characters like the environmentalist superhero, Captain Planet. Captain Planet was a TV show that aired in the 1990s. This TV show was about a superhero who represented the five worldly elements: earth, wind, water, fire, and heart. Captain Planet was known for calling in his five “Planeteers,” who each represented one of the five elements. The superhero called in his Planeteers to help save the world from environmental harm. The motto was “By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!” This TV show brought awareness to environmental issues and also inspired a new generation to be change makers for the planet.1
Environmental, Renewable Resources
The environmental movement started in the 1970s. This movement is a political and social movement that addresses environmental issues. These issues include anything from pollution to the depletion of finite, natural resources—the issues Captain Planet and his Planeteers were striving to solve for. Those advocating to solve these issues believe that public policy and individual behavior can help in curtailing the damage caused to mother earth. There are many environmental issues searching for solutions, but for purposes of our exploration, we'll focus on the topic of renewable energy as a precursor to the personal, renewable resources discussion.
Non‐renewable Energy
To understand what renewable energy is, let's understand what it's not. Non‐renewable energy is a finite resource that cannot be replenished at the speed in which it is consumed.2 These resources are extracted from the earth. Examples of non‐renewable energy include:
- Oil (aka petroleum)
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Nuclear, electric power
We are familiar with these resources and know them well, because they fuel (most) cars, planes, and kitchen stoves. They also give us light (electricity), among many other daily necessities. About 80% of the world's energy is consumed by using nonrenewable resources, also called fossil fuels.3
There are two issues with this. One, the fact that the world's energy consumption is so heavily reliant on finite resources is scary. And if we fold in economics, supply/demand dynamics dictate that these resources will become more expensive over time, because there will be less of them; the more scarce a valuable resource is, the more expensive it becomes. Two, the burning of these fossil fuels (to create energy) releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide into the air is not great. CO2 emissions negatively impact our skies and our oceans. For this reason, non‐renewables are considered unsustainable because of their finite nature and the damage they cause the environment. For these two reasons, environmentalists are advocating for new ways to supply energy to the world. This is where renewable resources come into play.
Before pivoting over to renewable resources, another related example of non‐renewable resources is gold. In Chapter 1, we explored how and why gold is (historically) such a valuable asset. Gold is a finite resource, sourced from the earth, which is one of the reasons why it's so valuable—the scarcity element.
Non‐renewable resources certainly provide value, but the question is, at what cost?
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is an infinite resource that can be replenished at the speed in which it is consumed.4 Captain Planet gave us a preview of these resources, but here are the five main examples of renewable energy (and their sources)5:
- Solar energy (from sun)
- Geothermal energy (from earth)
- Wind energy (from wind)
- Biomass energy (from plants)
- Hydropower energy (from water)
In 2021, the United States received 87% of its energy from non‐renewable sources, while 13% came from renewable sources.6 This was a record year, in terms of how much renewable energy was consumed within the United States.7 Increasing the use of renewables to supplement non‐renewables would be advantageous for a couple of reasons. First, it would reduce the world's reliance on finite resources. Second, it would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, for the benefit of our skies and oceans, and, ultimately, for society.
Both policy and people are behind the environmental movement, with a focus on transitioning away from our reliance on non‐renewable energy and over to the reliance on renewable energy. Our current age‐old energy infrastructure plus corporate and political interests make this transition clunky. Furthermore, the transition costs money, lots of money. Plus, there are a lot of trade‐off considerations to account for. But generally speaking, we are invested in optimizing energy for the environment, just the same as we are interested in optimizing energy for ourselves.
A final point on renewable resources, which I would be remiss not to mention, is the fact that some are intangible. As you can see from the renewable resources listed earlier, solar energy and wind energy are sourced from intangible forces. This reiterates the point that so much power is derived from intangible, invisible forces. Further, intangible assets have the potential to ultimately reveal themselves tangibly. For example, solar transportation, getting you from point A to point B, or an electric stove cooking you a nutritious meal.
Personal, Renewable Resources
The concept of renewable resources is associated with the environment, but the concept also maps onto the individual; the world has renewable resources, and so do you. Renewable resources are sourced from within the earth, just the same as renewable resources are sourced from within you. You are a force of nature; it's in your nature, just like Mother Nature. Your renewable resources are sourced from within you, and can be replenished and regenerated. Grit, creativity, determination, and commitment are all examples of personal, renewable resources.
Attaining Your Wealth Goals
The 5 Principles of Invisible Wealth, paired with the personal wealth algorithm framework, help in synthesizing and prioritizing your wealth goals. Thereafter, personal, renewable resources empower you to attain those wealth goals.
After identifying your wealth goal, then you can visualize and feel what it would be like to attain this goal. What does achieving your wealth goal look like, in your mind's eye? With your invisible paintbrush, paint the picture. Further, what does it feel like to attain this goal, to have this type of wealth? Pairing the visual with the feeling allows them to play together. Identifying your goal is one thing, visualizing and feeling it’s achievement is another. Taking this one step further, writing down what this achievement looks and feels like, is telling. After all, words architect our lives. Define your goal, visualize your goal, feel your goal, and write it down. You're the creator. Each aspect of wealth holds infinite potential.
“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your masterpiece after all.”
—Nathan M. Morris
In the previous chapter, we used aspect of wealth the personal wealth algorithm to identify and prioritize your wealth goals. Then, for sake of conversation, we took my situation and practically applied this algorithm. Together, we discovered that the Wealth of Money and Investment (P1) takes primacy for me, right now. After leaving my job, becoming part of the Great Resignation statistics, I'm now fully committed to reimagining and redefining P1. This I know. But how do I achieve this goal? With the help of my personal, renewable resources.
As John Dewey, an American philosopher and psychologist, once said, “A problem well put is half solved.” Once your wealth goal—your destination—is well put, then your renewable resources fuel the journey to solution. As we saw in Chapter 6, daily decisions decide our lives—one thought at a time, one decision at a time. The quality of your thoughts, and decisions, matter. Once you know what goal, or destination, to aim for, your thoughts and decisions calibrate accordingly. Your internal GPS knows the way. We also saw in Chapter 6, that the game of life is full of twists and turns, unforeseen and unexpected variables. While you might miss an exit on the road to your destination, your internal GPS will always recalibrate so long as you're committed to reaching the destination.
When you think about the nature of your personal, renewable resources, consider your strengths, the things you're good at, and what you enjoy doing. For some, imagination and creativity are the resources most accessible from within, whereas for others it's discipline and tenacity. Or perhaps it's using mental resources, whereas for others it's using physical resources. Throughout life, we continuously mine and cultivate these gems from within. This happens through learning new information, from experiences (both the ordinary and the extraordinary), and through conversations with friends. But ultimately, these gems are polished through conversations with self. This is where the Greek maxim “know thyself” comes back into play. Having an awareness for your attributes, your skills, your talents, your interests, and what lights you up inside, informs the how of achieving your (wealth) goals. This requires the quieting of the outside world, for purposes of hearing your inside world. Your inner world is more valuable than you can imagine.
After all, the largest untapped resources in the world lay within us—superpowers included.
Your Renewable Resources Are Your Superpowers
Captain Planet isn't the only one with superpowers.
Recently, I had dinner with five incredible female founders. During this dinner, one woman asked a question to the group: What is your superpower? Everyone paused, took a sip from their wine glass, and pondered. Then we went around the table, and each person shared her superpower, some in a personal context and others in a professional context—and sometimes the two were one and the same. For example, one founder, Sarah, said her superpower is empathy, the ability to empathize in her personal and professional life. This power is a renewable resources that comes from within, which is used to attain and share resources.
Empathy involves attributes like compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, and relationship capital™. This superpower, these resources, are all sourced from within, and replenish and regenerate, with time. These assets are infinite, limitless, and abundant in nature, because there's no limit to the amount of empathy one can offer to self and others. Recognizing your renewable resources, your superpower (attributes, skills, talents, and interests), is largely based on your beliefs, which influence your thoughts, which then influence your decisions. Case in point, one must recognize, believe, or trust they are empathetic in order to think they are empathetic, and to then make decisions supporting this belief. My founder friend Sarah recognizes her ability to empathize with others in both a personal and professional context. If she didn't recognize, believe, or trust, in this superpower, she wouldn't think to lean into, and act on, it.
The superpower of empathy leads to establishing and building meaningful relationships as you authentically showcase your ability to offer compassion and care to others. This is an example of resources begetting resources. Sarah, an empathetic friend and superhero, wields her powers to enhance the lives of others—through genuinely stepping into the shoes of others, and understanding their situation. She enjoys using this renewable resource to achieve a Wealth of Relationships with Self and Others (P5).
Inside Out
“If your happiness depends upon what is happening outside of you, you will always be a slave to the external situation.”
—Sadhguru
You can tap into your wellspring of resources at any time, and use them to fuel and achieve your (wealth) goals. These powerful resources are invisible, yet have the potential to reveal themselves, visibly.
Technological advancements and societal shifts are inviting us to rethink and reconsider what we value, and, by extension, how we define wealth. With so much going on in the outside world, the most valuable thing we can do for ourselves is to turn inward, and live from within. While technology can provide lots of distraction and noise, it can also remove lots of distraction and noise as well. Technology can take a lot of to‐dos off of your plate. Consider all the time and energy saved due to online shopping, automation, access to information, and various time‐saving apps. This is an absolute win for freeing up your time and energy, so you can tap into your renewable, superpowers—to do superhuman things.
Modern technology provides the (physical and mental) space, for you to use your ancient technology. Your ancient technologies include: language, intuition, inner knowledge, your spirit animal essence, and your personal, renewable resources. Modern technology also enables wider and deeper use of these ancient technologies. For example, consider how much you use language in emails, text messages, and online communication. Plus, consider how much of what you say in these communications, comes from a place of intuition or inner knowing. That said, Google might be the largest search engine in the world, but the most valuable questions can only be answered from within.
Speaking of technology, computers and people are more similar than we'd initially assume. Chapter 6 reminded us that our energy comes from the wellspring within. This energy is our processing power. Processing power is typically a term reserved for computer speak, when discussing the ability of computers to complete tasks. But people have processing power too, which gives us the ability to complete our goals. In computers, updating the software makes the system run better, improving it's processing power. In people, updating our software makes our systems run better, improving our processing superpower. Software updates find glitches (the things that aren't working) and improves upon them. We recognize glitches in our own software, or said differently, in our beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and decisions when we experience something going wrong or when we confront a challenge. Glitches or challenges, invite us to revisit our operating system and improve it. People are strengthened by pushing up against hard things (both physically and mentally). Each glitch or challenge provides the opportunity to consciously update your software; thereby, increasing your superpowers thereafter.
“Don't limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.”
—Anonymous
External, Renewable Resources
Turning inward before turning outward is an algorithm for success. Our internal knowing guides what external knowledge to seek. That said, external, renewable resources can also help in attaining your wealth goal.
External, renewable resources elegantly complement our personal, renewable resources—in actualizing our wealth goal. External, renewable resources are replenished and regenerated with time, and found outside of self. Think: books, podcasts, and mentors. Books are renewable because you can always go back to them, whether the book is on your Kindle or on your book shelf at home. Podcasts are renewable because you can listen and relisten until your heart's content. And mentors are renewable resources, because they can provide you guidance and support throughout life—as long as the relationship is managed with care. Each of these resources are value‐adds when aligned with your values, principles, and goals. External resources are like friends in the passenger seat, while you journey to destination P1, P2, P3, P4, or P5. Your internal GPS is on, but your friend is there to nudge you and say the exit is on the right, right after the gas station. These resources provide an additional dimension to your own.
Books, podcasts, and mentors are just a few examples of the external, renewable resources available to help you on your wealth journey. These resources provide rich information, supporting guiding journey. With goal in mind, intentionality can follow; consciously seeking and internalizing. As we well know, there is more information available to us today than ever before. Consider the points made in Chapter 7, when we discussed the knowledge doubling curve. This is leverage. Leverage is something that helps to maximize what you already have.
In the wealth advisor seat, I would often tell my new clients that they could consider me and my team as their board of advisors. Each person on my team had a primary focus and expertise, and we would all sit around the table, viewing the client's dynamic financial landscape, with a 360‐degree view. Each teammate was there to support the client, by providing his/her own expertise, at any given time. Similarly, people can adopt this same model in their personal lives. Simply put, constructing your own board of advisors. Consider the top five people you admire the most—those whose judgment you trust. Those are the people you want on your board of advisors. We naturally do this, by always calling the same friends when we have issues. But take an intentional look at who these individuals are, and perhaps consider adding to this cohort and/or constructing a board of advisors for personal matters, and a board of advisors for professional matters.
There’s much to learn from other people's perspectives and experiences. First, how they make, save, spend, and invest their money. Second, how they optimize their health and quality of life. Third, how they manage their time, energy, and experiences. Fourth, how they expand their knowledge, status, and influence, for the greater good. And fifth, how they establish and grow their relationships with self and others. Further, how do others approach their principles, values, and goals? And here’s a little secret, people are looking to you for inspiration on how to approach their principles, values, and goals. This is why sharing your knowledge and wisdom is so important for the benefit of others.
Where Wealth Begins
You didn't need this book to tell you that we're in the midst of a huge paradigm shift; this you already know. But perhaps this book did invite you to consciously consider what you value, and therefore how to (re)define wealth, within the new wealth paradigm. This new paradigm is inviting us to rethink what we value, and therefore how we define wealth, because we are wealthy when we have an abundance of what we value. Additionally, we are becoming increasingly comfortable with pegging value to intangible assets, as we fundamentally always have.
Technological advancements and societal shifts are providing the opportunity to reconceptualize so many aspects of our lives, wealth included; wealth, in every sense of the word. We are revisiting our personal finances alongside our personal philosophies. We are also revisiting financial value, and personal values. It's my hope that a holistic and authentic concept of wealth aligns you with what you value most. Define your wealth, Invisible Wealth.
Notes
- 1. Gabriel, Angeli. “How ‘Captain Planet’ Inspired an Environmental Movement.” Fox Weather, April 22, 2022. https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/captain-planet-and-the-planeteers-show-history.
- 2. Dhir, Rajeev. “Nonrenewable Resources Definition.” Investopedia, May 27, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nonrenewableresource.asp.
- 3. Dhir, “Nonrenewable Resources Definition.”
- 4. Ibid.
- 5. “What Is Energy?” U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), June 28, 2022. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/what-is-energy/sources-of-energy.php.
- 6. “U.S. Energy Facts Explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), April 2022. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/us-energy-facts/.
- 7. Ibid.