Every Sunday, I send you something to THINK about, a question to ASK yourself, something to TRY and invite you to SHARE. Could you turn down $8,000,000?

THINK

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”
Jim Carrey

The online world is full of people displaying wealth. 💍⌚💵

Even if they don’t have any.

Social Media ‘Influencers’ stand in front of expensive cars, parade their expensive watches or reveal their luxury clothing brands, all in an attempt to boost their profile.

It’s an ever-changing, never-ending, unfulfilling game to play.

But… each to their own.

That’s why it was so refreshing to be introduced to Oliver Anthony.

The country-folk singer-songwriter who turned down an $8,000,000 music industry offer. 😮

Blessed with musical talent… and good looks!

His real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford, but he adopted his grandfather’s name “Oliver Anthony” as his stage name in homage to the Depression era in which he lived.

He recently shot to fame when his video ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ went viral. It’s currently on 81 million views! 🤯

How?

This modest man, with a beautiful beard, is singing with every ounce of his soul about heart-felt (as well as controversial) issues regarding his country.

I’m not writing to discuss his political views, musicality or the fact his head should be shaved.

Instead, I want to explore why he turned down an $8,000,000 music industry offer.

Could you?

Turning Down 8 Million Dollars

Anthony recently revealed on social media that he turned down an $8,000,000 recording deal.

He took to social media to explain why.

“People in the music industry give me blank stares when I brush off 8 million dollar offers. I don’t want 6 tour buses, 15 tractor trailers and a jet. I don’t want to play stadium shows, I don’t want to be in the spotlight. I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they’re being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung. No editing, no agent, no bullshit. Just some idiot and his guitar. The style of music that we should have never gotten away from in the first place.”

What a breath of fresh air.

According to the Social Security Administration, the average American male is expected to earn between $1.13 million to $3.05 million over his lifetime.

How many people do you think could turn down $8 million in one day?

Could you?

This reminded me of a conversation I had with a neighbour around 8 years ago. At this point, I had quit my 9-5 to go full-time with publishing and I had been investing in stocks for a few years.

He was curious to understand, what the hell I actually did to quit my job so early.

When I explained what I did, he just stared at me, in bewilderment.

He snapped out of his gaze and said, “You should work in London! With your mindset and drive, you’d make a killing there!”

I thanked him for the compliment but replied, “I couldn’t think of anything worse.”

Why would I trade my wonderful lifestyle to jump back into the rat race?

I wasn’t financially free back then but I was on the cusp of getting there. My publishing business was largely passive, so in many ways, it felt like I was there already.

I woke up without an alarm.
I was experimenting with a 2-3 hour morning routine.
I worked for 4-6 hours at home.
I spent quality time with Lou daily.
I trained nearly every day.
I was happy and healthy. Not wealthy, but I had enough.

I remember telling my neighbour, “I don’t think there’s a number you could pay me, to take away what I have for a life commuting into London.”

Sure, if it was a big sum of money (>£10 million) and for a limited time like (<1 year), then I’d suck it up and go for it.

But that wasn’t on the table for me or Oliver Anthony.

Stupid or Genius?

If you read my Newsletter on ‘Financial Zen’, you’ll know my thoughts on this.

Zen Buddhism teaches:

Freedom is the only condition for happiness

Most people confuse the true source of happiness.

Excitement doesn’t equal happiness. Peace does.

Oliver Anthony turned down $8,000,000 because he would lose his freedom to the corporate music world.

It’s the same reason I would hypothetically turn down a massive salary to work in London.

It would enable us to buy vastly more consumer items.

It would create excitement.

But not happiness.

By not attaching yourself to ‘stuff’, it creates freedom and peace, which is the true source of well-being.

Creating a 7-Figure Lifestyle

My goal is to help you reach financial freedom.

Today, I’d like you to imagine your life being so perfect, that you’d turn down 7-figures to keep it.

What would that involve?

How would you create value and help others?

Let this be the starting point.

The reason I bang on about creating side hustles, mindful spending and investing wisely is because I truly believe this situation is more achievable than you realise.

Financial freedom, happiness and fulfilment await.

The online world has allowed a man, with a beautiful beard, to create stuff he loves, share it with the world, and help other people.

….Wait. Which man?

Both of us.

The same opportunity is out there for you.

Oliver Anthony’s story is certainly out of the ordinary.
The online world changed his life seemingly overnight.
Will you ever bask in the glory of a wonderful fairytale story?
Be brave and stay in the fight. Who knows, keep going, you might.

My ‘Ode to Oliver’.

I’ll stick to regular writing! 😆

Reflect and share this with someone.

ASK

Take a moment to consider the following:

“What lifestyle would be so fulfilling for you that you’d turn down $8,000,000 to keep it?”

“What would you do each day?”

“How would you help others?”

Write down what comes to mind.

TRY

I write on the topic of money, but if you’ve read a few of my posts you’ll understand that the absence or presence of wealth has little to do with numbers.

It’s 90% psychology.

Consider your answers to the 3 questions above:

How close are you to achieving that lifestyle?
Are you moving towards it?

If you can create a lifestyle that’s so rewarding that money becomes irrelevant, you’re truly winning in life.

Reverse engineer the process and start moving towards that lifestyle today.

Which area of achieving Financial Freedom are you furthest away from? Or which makes you the most uncomfortable?

Start there!

MAKE MORE – Find your Perfect Side Hustle in 6 Steps
SPEND LESS – How to Retire in 7 Years (Starting with $0)
INVEST WISELY – How to Invest for Beginners (Starting from $0)

That should get the wheels in motion.

HIT REPLY and tell me about your fulfilling lifestyle.

I read and reply to every email, and remember, I’m rooting for you.

Remember: Little by little, a little becomes a lot.

Reply to this email and share how it went for you. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.