Chip Conley talks about interesting topics that I feel reflects on what I sometimes talk about on this blog. I try to share ideas on how people can survive well on less, save more, and spend their free time improving their life, finding the happiness in their life.
As you watch the video, check for that pyramid that he redesigned. It had basic needs, survival, at the bottom. That’s sort of like that struggle when you just don’t have enough money for your basic needs in order to feel comfortable. I think most people feel on edge about bills, when many pay more than they need to. When your basic needs are whitled down into a solid statement: I just need shelter, food, and love — it becomes less important that you keep the boat and fancy car. When you have time to explore, learn, and grow because your basic needs are taken care off (success) you then transcend into the self awareness that allows you to do the above. To find happiness.
I think if Chip Conley talked to Vivian about her finances, he may find that she feels safe, she feels her basic needs are met, and that with that security of the survival part and further success, it allows her to focus on her job more and make it worth her while.
Not all of us can be Chip Conley, owning hotels, or kings of countries. We still need people to clean bathrooms, and to be a nurse, or to run sewer lines. However, remember the hard working people on the show, Dirty Jobs? Many seem happy. They enjoyed sharing their work. It may not be fun, but when people are not stressed about basic needs, I feel they relax, and are able to take another look at life and what they do.
So when I mention that someone can live a happy life on less than $1000 a month in America, it’s the coverage of basic financial needs in order to go beyond survival, beyond success, right up to self-awareness and ultimate happiness in exploration, learning, and growth.
