After revisiting some Jim Rohn audio, I felt compelled to share what was swirling around that gray matter of mine between the ears. That audio led me to create what I’m not referring to as the P’s and C’s to living a prosperous life.
When I think about what it takes to live a truly prosperous life, a few quotes always come to mind: Jim Rohn said, “For every promise, there is a price to pay, but if the promise is clear, the price is easy.” He also said, “The promise of the future is an awesome force, but it can only be met by paying the price in the present.”
That’s some heavy truth right there! We all dream about a bright future, but here’s the kicker—there’s always a price to pay to get there. The real question you need to ask yourself is: Is the price worth the promise?
Now, over the years, I’ve realized that living a prosperous life isn’t just about stacking cash or hitting a net worth target (although I definitely don’t mind watching those numbers climb!). It’s about finding balance, meaning, and purpose along the way. And honestly, I’ve boiled it all down to what I call the P’s and C’s—my developing framework for making decisions and living the good life. Let’s dive in!
Price and Promise
Alright, let’s start with the heavy hitters: Price and Promise. Everything worthwhile in life comes with a price, whether that’s your time, your effort, or some good old-fashioned hustle. Want financial freedom? You must put in the work today to enjoy the benefits tomorrow. But it’s not all work and no play. You’ve got to be crystal clear on the promise—what future you’re working towards—because that and discipline keep you going when motivation wanes, and the going gets tough.
It’s all about deciding if the price today is worth the promise of tomorrow. (And trust me, when you’re clear on that, paying the price feels much less painful.)
Choice and Chance
Life is a combination of Choice and Chance.
If you choose to live your life with intention, you take the helm! Alternatively, when you let life happen to you, you leave life to chance.
Of course, we are all still subject to chance to some degree no matter how intentionally we choose to live. We cherish chance when the outcome lands in our favor…but we curse it when it’s unfavorable, for the pain and inconvenience it tends to bring into our lives.
But here’s the twist: no matter how chance shows up—good or bad, fortunate or frustrating—it always leads us back to choice. How we respond. What we do next. Who we become because of it.
That’s the game.
A prosperous life isn’t built on luck. It’s built on choice, again and again, in the face of whatever chance throws your way.
Life is a combination of choice and chance..but mostly CHOICE!
Preparation and Probability
Next up, we’ve got Preparation and Probability—the dynamic duo of success. Here’s the deal: there are no guarantees in life. Sorry to break it to you, but even if you do everything right, there’s still an element of uncertainty. But what you can control is how prepared you are to face the unknown. By stacking the deck with preparation, you increase the probability of success.
I like to think of it this way: a prepared life is a prosperous life. It’s about being ready for the moment opportunity knocks (because it will!), and making sure you’ve got the tools to capitalize on it. As Jim Rohn said, “Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” So, if you haven’t already, get prepared!
Purpose
Now, let’s get a little philosophical. Purpose is the North Star that guides everything you do. Without it, what’s the point? Purpose is your “why”—the thing that makes you grind, hustle, and pay those prices we talked about earlier. Whether it’s achieving financial independence, leaving a legacy, or just living a life that makes you feel fulfilled, purpose is the fuel that keeps you moving forward.
Passion
Passion is what makes the journey enjoyable. You know, when you’re truly passionate about something, the work doesn’t feel like work. Whether it’s a side hustle, a creative project, or your career, having passion makes everything easier to bear. It’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about having fun along the way.
You’ll enjoy life so much more when you follow your passions and let that excitement spill over into all aspects of what you do.
Perseverance
Ah, Perseverance—the unsung hero of success. Here’s the thing: success is rarely a straight line, and prosperity is definitely not an overnight achievement. Perseverance is what keeps you moving forward when the going gets tough (which it will). It’s what separates those who reach their goals from those who throw in the towel when things don’t go as planned.
Compounding
Let’s not forget about the magic of Compounding. Small actions, done consistently, add up to massive results over time. This doesn’t just apply to investing (though it works wonders there, too). It applies to personal growth, relationships, and anything else that requires time and effort. Every step you take today, no matter how small, compounds into something greater down the road.
As you’ve likely seen with your own investments, time and consistency are the secret sauce to long-term success.
Community
Now, I’d be lying if I said you can do it all alone. Community is essential to any prosperous life. Whether it’s family, friends, mentors, or colleagues, the people you surround yourself with play a huge role in your success. Your community is your support system, your inspiration, and your accountability.
Don’t forget to lean on the people around you—and also be someone others can lean on. It’s a team effort.
Contribution
Lastly, a truly prosperous life isn’t just about what you get—it’s about what you give. Contribution is about making sure that as you grow, you’re helping others along the way. Whether it’s through sharing your knowledge, lending a hand, or giving back financially, contribution creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment that no amount of wealth can replace.
As Zig Ziglar famously said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” And it’s true—giving back is the key to feeling truly prosperous.
By blending Price and Promise, Choice and Chance, Preparation and Probability, along with Purpose, Passion, Perseverance, Compounding, Community, and Contribution, you’ll create a life that’s not just prosperous in financial terms, but rich in experiences, relationships, and impact.
Now that’s a life worth living!
– Gen Y Finance Guy
