The Success Barometer

We love “People Watching”! (Not in a creepy way) Over the years, we've found that we can learn a ton just by observing. We have also had the fortune of knowing thousands of successful, high-capacity people throughout our adventures. To not offend you, let me define what a successful, high-capacity person, or family, is in our mind.

Successful, high-capacity people = Individuals and families that lead with healthy influence and intentional emotional consistency. People who have their orbit in order, which leads to experiencing consistent wealth throughout their lives.

Nowhere in that definition was anything mentioned about financial success. Why? The correct order of our orbits and the wisdom of understanding the greatest currencies we exchange. Most people who grasp that end up with financial success, but it’s a by-product of their purposeful lifestyle. It’s not the target they’re chasing. While many think that highly successful financial people are greedy, our experience with them has been just the opposite. Their humility and, oftentimes, brokenness and loneliness are astounding. Reality is that the more success and influence you gain, the more painful and isolated your life becomes. The people we run into who are considered “greedy” are the ones chasing finances, instead of enjoying the financial place in their lives. And, people often mistake having nice things for greed. I would encourage you not to judge what people have or do until you’ve experienced it yourself. As long as it’s all orbiting correctly, it’s all good. More importantly, it’s none of our business.

Building on a couple of thoughts that Mark Batterson’s words triggered in my mind, the first question is:

1. What does the barometer read when you step into a room?

2. What does your countenance and posture tell others?What does the attire you are wearing and your hygiene signal?What do the first words of a conversation say about your intent?What are you doing to listen intently and create a mindful recording of what you are hearing?How do those notes transcend into the next conversation with the person?Who are you willing to meet and talk to in the room?How are you intentional about stopping by others’ environments to check on them, encourage them, and learn?Is the room warmer or colder because of your presence?

The Barometer will candidly measure our level of success. One of our weird personal boundaries has been to never talk much about our success or organizations. By God’s grace, people knew who we were, so we never felt the need to push or sell ourselves. (I think there is a word for that) We chose to pour into others, learn, listen, and if they chose to join us on our adventure, they were welcomed!

1. How are you intentionally setting your thermostat?

2. How do you start your day?How do you stay consistent?What is more important, your emotions or your finances?

I purposely kept those questions brief. Because we’ve never met a person who lives with long-term wealth who is chasing finances. But we’ve encountered thousands who have consistent wealth, including finances, when they understand the key to their success is found in their soul, not what they are selling.

Our middle child’s name is Caleb. The Bible says that “Caleb had a different spirit about him.” It was referring to his vision, capabilities, ambition, influence, and emotional consistency. That describes our son in detail. And he learned from his older brother. How we set our emotional thermostats matters!

Robin and I have enjoyed a highly successful marriage because we honor each other’s emotional DNA. In doing so, we’ll have debate-filled conversations, but not arguments. It makes our relationship much more enjoyable, and it leaves an emotional heirloom that will be passed down for generations.

The levels of our finances will fluctuate daily, and greatly throughout the seasons of life. The currency of our emotions cannot only stay consistent, but increase in wealth by the hour. Please don’t hear me say that I am anti - ambition, passion, big vision, chasing success, financial success, high-end lifestyles, etc. Just gauge your barometer and set your thermometer to let consistent emotions lead to great wealth and success.