From today’s Daily Stoic is this wonderful piece. I capture it here to remind me of the true value of Fuck-You Money. And, for some of my clients who, having accumulated all the money in the world, still want more and who have put off doing something meaningful with their time.
One of the most enduring and inspiring figures in all of Roman history is Cincinnatus, after whom the city of Cincinnati is named. Called to save Rome in 458 BC from the Aequians and the Sabines, he is made temporary dictator and granted extraordinary war time powers. Yet after he leads the army to a victory and saves his country, he seeks not to return to rule Rome but to tend to his farm. It is said that this example partly inspired George Washington not to actively seek executive power after the Revolutionary War, and then after becoming president, to leave after two terms. It is also, of course, the plot of Maximus’s character in the movie Gladiator.
And yes, while Cincinnatus’s story is a stunning display of self-discipline and self-awareness, it is equally true that many of us foolishly live out a much more self-indulgent and delusional version of this story. We tell ourselves that we’re getting a job on Wall Street, but that it’s only temporary. After I make my fortune, then I’ll become a third-grade teacher or do philanthropic work. We sign on for this project or that one, not because we think it’s good, but because we tell ourselves it will give us the freedom we seek down the road. One for me, one for them. Or we enroll in law school or go for that MBA because we think it will give us more options. I’m never going to be a lawyer, but a law degree can’t hurt.
It’s remarkable how few people end up on their metaphorical farm though, isn’t it? We take the dictatorial powers—the money, the prestige, the couple extra years of school—but when it comes time to do what we told ourselves we were always going to do … well, that never seems to happen. It’s like what David “DHH” Heinemeier Hansson has said: People go to Silicon Valley to earn “fuck-you money” and then nobody ends up saying “Fuck you!”
If you look beyond a specific amount, fuck-you money can be a state of mind. One that you can acquire well in advance of the corresponding bank account. One that’s founded mostly on a personal confidence that even if most of the material trappings went away, you’d still be happier for standing your ground. Yes, talk about privilege. There are certainly many people who choose to bow their head not for their own sake, but for the sake of those that depend on them. That’s a noble retreat.
Rome needed Cincinnatus. It was a life and death situation. For most of us? Not so much. And life is short. So, if you want to be a writer, start writing (don’t tell yourself you have to finish something else first). If you want to help people, start helping people (don’t tell yourself you have to get rich first). If you want to be this or that, well, start—don’t chase another degree.
Because you never know if you’ll get another chance.
As Don Conte has said repeatedly (and as was repeated by his son, Christian, one of the best teachers I ever had):
This is not your practice life. It is the only one you will ever get.
