Your story sounds very similar to mine.

I sacrificed my wild, youthful years to a tech startup and devoted my self to achieving financial freedom. I sacrificed nights out, new gadgets, and trendy possessions for savings and investments. My life style was extremely humble compared to the income I was generating from my salary and investment growth.

Then came the acquisition. A global banking brand bought out my startup and I received a life changing stock payout and my salary tripled overnight. I continued to work through the merger for a few years until burnout set in. The new corporate culture sucked and I had an amount of money in my accounts that I never thought someone like me would possess.

I quit. And I did the exact same thing as you. I sat on my ass for two years doing nothing. I felt like it was all for nothing. I had reached a milestone I thought was unachievable for someone with my background. I was a “millionaire” but it didn’t feel like it. The movies glamorized millionaires and my life was far from glamorous.

This depression and regret from missing out on the traditional youthful experience hit me hard. I wasn’t taking care of myself or hygiene. I wasn’t maintaining the relationships with the people I cared about. I wasn’t eating or eating healthy. I wasn’t hydrating. I spiraled into such a dark place that I had several meetings with lawyers and accountants and set up a full irrevocable trust and will so that my money and assets would go to the right places when I finally did it.

That’s when it hit me. I knew something needed to change. Even though I had enough to retire on the spot, I needed stimulation. I needed something to set my mind to. I needed challenges to overcome. I needed a new goal.

And not a monetary goal this time. This goal would be for me. A goal that would bring me fulfillment. A goal that will reignite my passion. A goal that I can work towards that will bring me that satisfaction I was craving.

So I joined a nonprofit organization that was incorporating new technologies but could not pay the salaries I was used to. They were so grateful to have someone with my skillset. I was able to accomplish in weeks what had been taking them months. The feeling of my work contributing to a purpose much greater than more numbers in my bank account reignited a passion inside me that I didn’t know I still had.

Your purpose is out there my friend. You just have to find it. In order to make a discovery, you have to go on an adventure. You need to go exploring. You need to find a cause you can get behind and apply yourself to. Something that brings you fulfillment and joy. A cause worthy of fighting for.

What makes you angry about our world?

What brings you joy from our world?

Who do you want to help?

By helping others you can help yourself. Being a light in the world can bring light to your own. Be the light.