I woke up this morning with a very high level of aliveness. Why?
Eighteen people arrive today from all over the country to take part in a transformational journey. But this is my 8th retreat already this year and 40th since I started hosting retreats four years ago, so why am I particularly excited? It’s because of my anticipation of multiple goosebump moments.
What am I talking about? Let’s get the basics out of the way. I’ve teamed up with the great Garrett B. Gunderson to host a five day retreat at the Bliss Estate in Austin, Texas. The retreat is on the subjects of tax arbitrage and asset wealth generation. Those are the basics.
But what I want you to know is that I reached out to Garrett about a year ago not just to deliver a great retreat but to participate in, and witness, one of the most epic transformational Bliss Journeys that I have ever seen.
You see, Garrett spent over a decade becoming the best in the world at something - a tax arbitrage specialist. Five years ago he was at the pinnacle of success at his chosen expertise. Nobody was more in demand than this guy in his arena. Multiple books on the NYT Best Seller list and hundreds of keynote appearances under his belt, earning a day rate that could buy himself a Lambo after just a week. Total mastery!
BUT, when he looked in the mirror something looked back at him yearning to play. That something was his bliss.
In his heart of hearts he wanted to be a comedic performer. He didn’t see a finance guy staring back at him any more, even though that had become his identity. He wanted to stand on his own two feet and make people laugh.
Problem was, Garrett doesn’t do anything half-assed. He’s a fucking machine! So, if he was gonna do this, he would have to go all in or not at all. He would need to become as world-class as a comedic performer as he had become as a world reknown finance expert.
But, what about the risks? What would the unholy trinity of Resistance, Doubt and Fear have to say about such a huge transformation a few years before turning 50!
What would people think of a financial guru turned standup comic?
Would people think he was funny?
Would anyone love him for his comedy?
Wouldn’t it be rather risky to walk away from the financial security he earned as a world-class dispenser of finance advise. He had a family to worry about. Two kids not even in high school yet.
Why not just sit back and relax reaping the rewards from earning such a high status?
After all, how many years would it take to learn to perform comedy at a high level?
Would his life savings cover this stretch or would he need a creative strategy to buy him enough time?
All those questions and more started raising their ugly head five years ago. This is what happens when we finally decide yo become our truest self and follow our bliss.
One day he spoke back to the mirror with courage. This is was when he decided to try. One foot in front of the other. It was 2017!
Fast forward five years to today. This moment. May 10, 2022!
A retreat starts tomorrow, and while we will be teaming up to teach our retreat goers about tax arbitrage and asset wealth strategies in a world-class way, that’s not why I’m this excited. I am 100% certain it’s not why Garrett will wake up excited today either.
I’m excited cause I get to see Garrett Gunderson the comedian do standup tonight at a tiny club in downtown Austin (The Creek and the Cave) for the second time. And, even though that would be enough for me, tomorrow morning I get to see him merge his talents for comedy and money into a brand new epic one-man-show here at the Bliss Estate.
I was so excited I spent an hour preparing his stage in this house yesterday. No detail was too small. I even got him flowers for after the show (ok, so maybe this came with the house, but it’s the sentiment people!)
I didn’t come to Austin just to run a retreat and make some money. I could have done that from the comforts of my home in Hawaii at Bliss Island.
I came to Texas to be fucking Astounded!
And, I needed a house that met the occasion. The occasion being a courageous man on a Bliss Journey of epic proportions! It had to be very special!
You see, three of my top five favorite ways to get paid are inspiration, goosebump moments and beauty. This morning I’m excited cause I anticipate being very well compensated in all three over the next few days! I live for such moments. Aliveness is my trusted guide!
