“Man, I wish this check was bigger!”
That was my first thought as I wrote out “$7.43” on the contribution check to our 2012 partner charity.
Then I thought, “Joel. Remember the conversation with Scott Dinsmore about partner charities and how big of a check you can write when you get some momentum?” That got my head in a better place.
Note: Read this article about Second Harvest Heartland and why they are the Value of Simple partner charity if you don't know what I'm talking about.
In a nut shell, I donate 5% of all pretax income that Value of Simple generates to help our hungry neighbors eat today and for everyone to be fed tomorrow. Since Personal Renaissance LLC (the legal name of my business) generated $148.65 in revenue last year, this check is humbling in every sense of the word. It's humbling because:
- It's so small in dollars, yet so rich in intention
- I made 11,658% more in two months of my corporate job than I did in ten months of being an entrepreneur during 2012
- It's the physical expression of work I'm tremendously proud of
- It shows how much additional effort I need to put into developing the financial side of my business
- This is hard-earned money that some of you passed along via an affiliate purchase or picking up Start Investing with $100
Lindsi, I'm going to work my butt off for Second Harvest Heartland this year! Kaia, this Value of Simple community is going non-stop until the 2013 or 2014 check can be 11,658% higher than 2012 (or more).
Start and Build
Ya gotta start somewhere. That's what everybody tells you.
I started somewhere in 2012. Financially, I ended the year cash flow negative for the first time ever. But there is purpose behind this. This thing we're building here – with an intentional and diverse group who want to lead a simple, organized, and money wise existence – can't be quantified in traditional ways.
However, we still have to remember that every once in a while, our collective contributions – to each other, to our partner charities, and to everything under the great blue sky – have a number attached to them.
Joel,
That $7.43 will provide more than 27 meals to people at risk of hunger.That’s no small contribution, no matter how it seems! Thank you, sincerely, for your ongoing support of our work. And for caring about the well-being of people across our communities.
Well that certainly puts it in context. Thanks Lindsi!
Joel, this is an terrific post. I make so little these days and work so hard, and it’s difficult to stay patient. It’s stressful when cash flow is low.
But I know that the work I do is so much more vital, and the money is starting to trickle in from the sources I created myself. Thanks for the modeling the great spirit of hope and perseverance we entrepreneurs must return to over and over again.
We’re on the same page, man. Good luck with your upcoming launches and making that trickle of money turn into a steady stream! The more we grow, the more we can help others in all the various ways we’re looking to make an impact.
Very nice of you Joel!
Great post. This reminds me of a mantra I learned several years ago. Be-Do-Have. It can be so easy gut stuck in the reverse mindset of Have-Do-Be. It goes like this: Once I have X then I will be able to DO X and BE Y. ex: Once I make this much money, then I can afford to give to charity more, and then I will be happy.
OR you can take this awesome approach instead.
I AM happy, and proud that I DO something to contribute something to an important cause, and then what I HAVE now is enough, and motivation to keep working hard.
Bingo Nate. We’re definitely aligned on this one, man.