Evan CarmichaelSpeaker / Author / Introvert

YOU Need to Rethink Money | Discover Your Real Passion in 2 MINUTES

25 May 2015 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:59

In this One Minute Monday video, Tom Oliver (Rebel Pixels / Tommy Oliver TV) argues that money is just one of many "currencies" that drive our actions and that relying solely on financial reward can undermine genuine motivation and passion. He explains that money’s appeal stems from its ability to purchase freedom from bills, which often pushes people toward safe, well‑paying but unfulfilling jobs. Oliver then introduces other non‑tangible currencies—fame and effort—showing how each can also steer us away from our true interests. He proposes a reflective exercise: imagine a scenario where each of these currencies (money, fame, effort) is unlimited and ask yourself what you would do. By comparing the answers, you can identify where these desires intersect or conflict, helping you pinpoint a compromise that aligns with your authentic passion. The video ends with encouragement to use this exercise to clarify and pursue one’s real calling.

Chapters

Hey guys, I'm Tom Oliver from Rebel Pixels and Tommy Oliver TV, and today's One Minute Monday is money isn't the only currency. How many times along your journey have you stumbled across the advice, "What would you do if money were no object?" Probably a bunch, right? And for good reason, because it's completely true. If we're following money instead of our passion, we aren't gonna stay motivated, and if we're not motivated, then the work either isn't gonna get done well or even get done at all. Now, Why do we even want money in the first place? It's because it enables something. Everything in the world has a price tag. The ability to have anything that we want and not have to worry about paying the bills is why we'd be swayed away from what we really want and get a safe, well-paying, boring job. But money isn't the only thing that can motivate us. Even if we decide that we want to pursue something more meaningful than a paycheck, we can still be swayed by other types of currency, other concepts we ascribe value to, even if it isn't tangible, spendable, money. For example, fame is a currency. Everyone wants to be recognized for what they do, and even if we aren't pursuing money, our desire for fame could be pulling us in a direction away from our passions. So you have to ask yourself, "If fame were no object and everything I did got me equal amounts of attention, what would I do?" Another currency is effort. Just like with money, we have to spend our time to create something, and some things are easier than others. Our desire for the path of least resistance will sometimes prevent us from putting in the time our passion demands. So you need to ask, "If effort were no object, what would I do?" And the interesting thing is when you pit these desires against each other and to see where they intersect or conflict, and then try to come to a compromise with what you covet and what your passions are. If you're like me and you're still searching for the perfect application of your passion, this exercise could hold a lot of value. Believe.