A Volume and a Cognitive Framework for a More Joyful, Vibrant, Prosperous New Year's Start
Recently, I had the rare opportunity and delight to interact with Dr. Daniel Crosby, the creator of several noteworthy books, including his latest, "The Heart of Prosperity." Our meeting initially focused on discussing the book, but he shared something else, unrelated to its themes, which wasn't explicitly mentioned.
This unexplored topic could be compared to the hidden track on a 1990s CD, discovered after accidentally leaving Nirvana's "Nevermind" on auto-play after listening to "Something in the Way," or as a prelude to the next significant work in Dr. Crosby's literary journey. I am authorized to share this with you due to his consent. I believe this hidden gem offers a compelling mental model that can certainly aid in living a healthier, wealthier, and more joyful life in the New Year.
Embracing. Including. Evolving.
If you want to enhance your 2025, consider dedicating your time–and likely your finances–to embracing, including, and evolving.
Embracing
Dr. Arthur Brooks, a social scientist at Harvard and author of "From Strength to Strength," emphasizes that while you need not share his beliefs, you must believe in something. "The sense of transcendent things larger than yourself," Brooks suggests, could be manifested as a specific faith or ideology that serves as a cornerstone for many of us. At the very least, some sort of belief or worldview that strives to make the unknown more comprehensible is essential for anyone seeking perspective on life's daily frustrations and the resolution of its greater inevitable challenges.
Dr. Crosby in "Heart of Prosperity" underlines this concept directly and indirectly throughout the book, particularly in his explanation of the PERMA model for human flourishing, where the "M" stands for "Meaning," which encompasses the pursuit of purpose and connection to something greater than one's self.
Dr. Crosby also acknowledges that nothing will reveal what we believe more vividly than our money–how we spend it and where we invest it. Studying our spending habits and aligning our actions with the articulation of our beliefs serves as both a diagnostic tool and a compass for directing our funds towards what truly matters in our lives.
Including
Additionally, it seems we were wired to not only believe but believe with others. Dr. Brene Brown, a renowned researcher in the field of vulnerability, couldn't be more clear: "A strong sense of love and belonging is an innate necessity in all human beings. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong."
In "Heart of Prosperity," Dr. Crosby encourages us to connect these dots: If happiness is essentially the manifestation of loving and being loved, shouldn't we reconsider how we spend our money? Research suggests that we may experience nearly twice the pleasure from spending money on experiences than material possessions. And when we share these experiences with others, the benefits multiply even further!
Consider putting this concept into practice during the holiday season, perhaps by swapping a traditional gift with an unforgettable experience for someone special–an experience for them or, better yet, an experience with them or others.
I was surprised when I suggested to my then-teenage sons that I believed we should allocate half of our Christmas budget to a family experience instead of solely purchasing tangible gifts. To my delight, they did not object, and this shared experience has come to be one of our most cherished holiday memories.
Evolving
However, where are we going, or rather, what are we becoming? The first two concepts provide insight into what we believe and whom we belong with. This last concept revolves around our personal growth trajectory. Here, the mental model appears to be interconnected, as this journey need not be a solitary, individualistic, or even self-centered pursuit.
It's the answer to the questions: Who do I aspire to be in the world? And who do I aspire to be for the people I cherish most?
Abraham Maslow–yes, the renowned psychologist behind Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs–stated it quite eloquently: "What a person is capable of, they must become. This aspiration we call self-actualization."
And perhaps what makes this message from Dr. Daniel Crosby so compelling is that these three concepts matter significantly within the context of personal and financial development. These aren't merely appealing ideas that offer a fleeting sense of pleasure; instead, they are fundamental necessities that, when ignored, can lead to our detriment. According to the research we've amassed:
- We have a fundamental need to realize our existence as part of something larger than ourselves.
- We have a fundamental need to belong to a group that represents this existential whole.
- And we have a fundamental need to perpetually develop, combat the inertia of inactivity and indecision, and generate momentum towards something better.
Therefore, alongside adding my name to the list of endorsements for Dr. Daniel Crosby's new book, "Heart of Prosperity," I also highly recommend reflecting on the following questions before you contemplate any resolutions for the year ahead:
- What do I believe in?
- With whom do I belong?
- Who am I becoming?
If you're seeking methods to utilize your funds or resources effectively in 2025, why not consider investing in the solutions to the aforementioned queries?
(Paraphrased text. Markdown format preserved.)
- Dr. Daniel Crosby, the author of "The Heart of Prosperity," emphasizes the importance of belief in his book, aligning it with the PERMA model's 'M' for 'Meaning'.
- Tim Maurer, in his work, often intersects with behavioral finance and behavioral economics, which draws on insights from psychology to understand financial decision-making.
- Dr. Crosby's discussion with Dr. Arthur Brooks during their meeting touches on the significance of having strong beliefs as a foundation for life's challenges.
- The 'behavioral finance' field, pioneered by scholars like Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, explores how psychological biases influence financial decision-making, a concept that Dr. Crosby acknowledges in his work.
