The Difference Between Roles and Purpose Part 2: ESPN’s 30 for 30 Broke

If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.
~Henry Ford

It’s been a little bit since I talked about roles and purpose but after seeing ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 series “Broke” I knew it was time to cover this topic again.

Broke is essentially about athletes who have made a considerable amount of money and then lost it all through bad investments, bad spending habits, a poor mentality and trying to take care of too many people. Shortly after their career is over, they have nothing to show for their playing days.

The series brings up a good question for all of us to consider in our lives.  What if you could no longer do exactly what you are doing today?  Maybe your type of work starts getting outsourced overseas or the government makes it illegal for you to do it.  What would you do if you couldn’t be an accountant, a sales rep, a dentist, a chiropractor, etc.

Henry Ford was once asked if he was worried about losing his entire fortune.  His response is that if made it once, he can do it again.  Henry understood that knowledge and your ability are powerful wealth creation tools.  Knowledge, experience and ability are the roads that lead to your purpose.

I have talked about specific tools for finding your talent in the past and here are three additional tips to deeper self- discovery.

1. Write– We live in a noisy world.  There is barely anytime for your own thought.  What I like about writing is that it forces me to really sit and think and spend some time alone with that thought.  Writing opens up the possibilities around what you really enjoy.
2. Surround Yourself With The Right People- The problem with many of today’s athletes is that they surround themselves with takers.  Many of the athletes in Broke talked about going out with their friends and partying at the club.  That’s all the friends brought to the table.  Surround yourself with people who by their very existence force you to grow and expand your game.
3. Always Be Learning- Push your knowledge deeper and deeper.  This can never stop. There’s too much to learn.   People who strive to learn understand the fundamental principle that you are your best asset.  Investing in your knowledge is investing in yourself.  There’s not a better investment that you can make.

What if you literally weren’t allowed to play the role that you are playing now?  What’s the next step?  How would that change your life?  Many people treat broke athletes like a punch line.  For me it breaks my heart.  If these guys knew and understood their purpose and invested in themselves, they’d never be broke.

How are you going to play in your purpose today?