For those of us that live the three-business card life, pursuing multiple streams of income is a way to earn money pursuing interesting projects while living a satisfying life. Without the confines of a traditional work life, there’s a great deal of flexibility to pursue the things you really want. Building and participating in community is another way the three-business card life is manifested.
Extra money in the bank makes it easier to buy your dream home. But even better, it’s easier to say no to the late night client meeting that makes you miss your kid’s soccer game. It helps you be more present in the things you care about in your life.
It’s not just the additional financial resources and the flexibility to say no. Multiple projects means you’re also out in the community building a broader social network.
Community Helps You — and Others Too
Building social capital in your community is an important part of achieving success and well-being.
A 2012 story from the New York Times has always stuck with me as an example of the power of community. The people of the island of Ikaria live to the age of 90 at two and half times the rate Americans do. They get cancer and cardiovascular disease at a later age, and they have less dementia.
Part of this is certainly attributable to their healthy diet. But something that also stands out about Ikaria as compared to other Greek towns is that there is a culture of community and social connectedness. Meals are eaten with others. Neighbors stop to talk to each other. The old have a reason to keep living; there’s a friend to talk to and a kid to teach.
It Is More Than Where You Live
When we talk about community we don’t just mean the city or town you live in, but the groups of people you spend time around.
You may belong to a intramural sports team. You may go to the theatre or ballet. Your kids may go to school or play on a sports team. Or you may sit on a board of directors for a local nonprofit.
Being wealthy is more than having a pile of money in the bank. It’s the ability to be able to participate in community. Pursuing a three business card life helps you gain additional money to reach your financial goals, but even better, it gives you the flexibility to connect with others.
Fostering Community
At Woven Capital, we love to help our clients figure out how to best use their time and financial resources to give back to their community.
Our belief in the importance of community is one of the reasons why we chose the name Woven Capital. Just like a basket that is woven together of many parts, we are all connected together. We are stronger together.
What are the ways you find community?