My neighbours growing up were wonderful people… who were also wealthy… but you’d never know it from just a casual drive by, or visit, to their place.

They owned a modest house, drove modest vehicles and were incredibly friendly to anyone who came their way. The only outward signs they had of wealth was the metal shop the father had in his basement (which he used to make model trains) and the fact their son built a house next door to them.

While they had the means to get whatever they wanted, they had no desire to accumulate.

Since they desired less, they could do more.

The minimalism movement, which I’ve touched upon a few times, strikes this nerve with its philosophy of owning less. However, where it could be reconfigured is not in wanting to own less (because even that is a pursuit in itself), but in focusing your life carefully.

It relieves the anxiety and pressure to have to be, do and own everything.

My longtime friend and I published a book many years ago called “How to Slack Your Way to Success.” While the title was sensationalized to appeal to our fanbase (the Internet looked a bit different, as did we), our message was clear:

Focus your energy into only a few areas and ignore the rest. You’ll be better for it.

It’s a mantra I still live by today.