When I met John Mugavero in 2021, he was the epitome of skeptical-bordering-on-cynical because “Wall Street Pros” had punished him for trusting them.
But as he explains with eloquent intensity below, John was willing and able to push through his horrendous heaps of informed pessimism to become one of the most extraordinary clients that I will ever work with. (Like Rebecca, he shapes my current client standard: Freight Trains only.)
If you want to see how a truly hellbent person writes a Week 1 assignment then celebrates their long-term follow-through, do enjoy this deep dive:
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What did we accomplish, during the 8 weeks of our workshop?
Kaname is essentially what we accomplished. The Japanese translation in this context is vital point or fundamental concept. This is what is left over when all extraneous bullshit is removed that makes a thing “that thing”. The analogy commonly used is a hand fan. The one thing that makes the fan a fan is the little pin that holds it together. Everything else (materials, size, colors, etc) are part of the whole and important but the fan ceases to be a fan without the pin that holds it together. When I can grasp the Kaname of your method of investing and it is likely to be successful by simply following what you have already done, there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that I can accomplish and potentially exceed any goal that is set. Many times, in other aspects of my life, I’ve accomplished what other “professionals” have said is “impossible” … for them. I don’t believe this will be any different.
What does your life look like, 10 years after committing to do everything in your power to invest independently and effectively for life?
The first thing that comes to mind is options and true freedom. I have been on both extremes of success and failure as far as I understand the contrast between them. No one can understand having to choose between eating anything other than potatoes with ketchup packets or having electricity for another month unless you’ve lived it. No one can understand the thrill of not having to “get a job” for 10 months out of 12 and being debt free unless you have lived it. No one can possibly understand the effect of knowing you might have seen your last sunset while you lie in a white room with no expectation of living through the night. The only question now is: do those experiences drive you to lose your ego and do your absolute best at everything you start, or will you let it defeat you and never allow yourself to truly live? My life 10 years from now is similar to what I envisioned today to be 15 years ago. Albeit, less discipline at that time, less meaningful “job” goals than today and a far more important, much less selfish, more purposeful “end” goal today (family). I envisioned financial freedom for myself and had a plan in action to get there. That plan failed miserably but the lessons learned are far more important. Today, I have real purpose, less time to fail again and much better understanding of the importance of goals. Options… This will give me the option to not be “stuck” staying in one place due to “this is where the engineering jobs are”. Options to start a business that can and does make people’s lives better. Options to work on my passions instead of selling my time to make someone else wealthy. Options to spend real quality time with my family and friends. The loss of fear that at any time, one accident of illness could subject my family to financial ruin because I didn’t do my job as a husband and soon to be father and make sure that is much less likely to happen. That to me, is the definition of true freedom.
Anything else you’d like to add, while we’re on the subject?
I’m thrilled to be a part of this challenge. I hope I can demolish any of your expectations, become the most successful person you’ve ever mentored and return the favor to you 100x by become your most outspoken advocate. Ready to crush this! Lets go!
This glimpse inside my workshop and its aftermath begs two simple questions: Are you as hellbent as John is to find Kaname, then Freedom? If yes, then why are you still “researching”?