Design a Rich Life: Find Abundance on Your Own Terms

(Admin) The Thrivology Company
Aug 13, 2024
5 min read

Redefining "Rich": It's Not Just About the Money, Honey!

Feeling stuck? Redefine "rich" beyond money! ✨ Build a fulfilling business & life on your own terms. #femmeprenista Read now!

Hey lovely ladies, Carlene here! Let's talk about being rich. Now, I'm not talking about Scrooge McDuck diving into a vault of gold coins (though, wouldn't that be fun for a minute?!). I'm talking about true richness – the kind that fills your soul, not just your bank account (FUELFUEL). It's a topic close to my heart, especially as I navigate this PhD journey (with a baby & toddler in tow!), while building Femmeprenista & trying to keep the house from looking like a small tornado recently blew through it (thanks, Espresso!).

If you're a 'Foundation Builder' struggling to balance ambition with the realities of daily life, this one's for you.

See, for a long time, I thought "rich" meant a fat paycheck & a fancy title. I chased those corporate ladders – Apple, Electrolux… But even when I landed those "dream" roles, something felt off. Like I was trading my time, energy, and essence for a number on a payslip. As a mum, that trade-off felt rubbish. I distinctly remember thinking, during one particularly soul-crushing commute after a particularly frustrating day where a project I'd poured my heart & soul into launched without a single mention of my contribution, "There has to be more to life than this!" It was a constant tug-of-war between ambition & being present for my family. That early venture, Nisbett and George (after that 'now or never' feeling at the E-Factor competition in my final year of uni), while ultimately not successful long-term due to differing commitment levels, taught me a powerful lesson about the kind of autonomy & impact I truly craved. Selling sweets in the playground as a kid wasn't just about pocket money; it was my first taste of building something myself, of seeing the direct impact of my effort, a feeling I realised I desperately missed in the corporate world. Sound familiar?

Then came my MBA at Cranfield, & it was like someone switched on a lightbulb! (FOCUSFOCUS). That taster day was a mini-explosion of inspiration. I even met the head of the program, Andrew, by chance in the car park, and he encouraged me to apply for a scholarship! Talk about sliding doors moments! The MBA wasn’t just about strategy; it was a mindset shift. It made me realise that even a bigger corporate paycheck wouldn’t buy me the freedom and quality of life I craved. Isn't that what being "rich" is all about? What use is a massive salary if you're too exhausted to enjoy it? If you’re tied to a desk, missing your kids grow? If you're too stressed to even feel joy?

That was my turning point. It rekindled that entrepreneurial spark I'd had since selling sweets in the playground. It made me ask, "What if I could design a business that supported my ideal life (FUELFUEL)?" A business that allowed me to be both CEO and mum?

Redefining Abundance: Your Own Terms

So, what does "abundance" mean to you? Exotic holidays? Financial security? The freedom to pursue your passions – even the "silly" ones? Maybe it’s creating a legacy for your children, something beyond material wealth. My dad shouting at my teachers for trying to silence me when they tried to shut me down for simply asking 'too many questions' (as if there's such a thing!) taught me to own my passions & find my voice, a value I carry into everything I do now (FOCUSFOCUS).

Your definition is unique. There's no one-size-fits-all. But there’s a framework:

Prioritize well-being (FUELFUEL): If you’re running on empty, no amount of money will make you feel truly rich. What use is a beautifully planted garden if you never water it? It’ll wither. The same goes for you. Prioritising well-being means having the energy to nurture your dreams. This includes: setting boundaries (like no work calls after 7pm, unless it’s an absolute emergency!), creating supportive systems (Canva templates, anyone?), & nourishing yourself – body, mind, & soul.
Align business goals with values (FOCUSFOCUS): What matters? Freedom? Impact? Let those values guide you. Building Femmeprenista was about creating a space where women thrive, a space to empower them to design businesses that support their rich lives.
Get clear on your vision (FOCUSFOCUS): What are your non-negotiables? What legacy do you want? These questions guide you, from crafting compelling marketing (think Rory Sutherland's 'psychological moonshots' – FLAIRFLAIR) to streamlining your systems (a daily 'power hour' can work wonders! - FLOWFLOW).

From Replaceable Cog to Empowered CEO: My Journey

My journey wasn't linear. I went from a replaceable corporate cog (anyone else ever been told "you're all replaceable"? Soul-crushing!) to building a business that lets me be present for those "pottery cup" & "toddler language" moments (FUELFUEL). It's about owning your time, energy, & impact. My PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlights how many women, particularly mums facing the pressures of a stagnant economy & rising childcare costs, feel this pull towards greater autonomy and purpose. Honestly, some days, even now, with four kids, a PhD, and running a business, I struggle to switch off from "PhD brain" and be fully present for those little moments. One minute I'm trying to decipher my two-year-old's explanation of why the dog needs to wear a princess dress, and the next I'm deep in data analysis for my research. It's a work in progress! It's messy. And it's real.

A huge part is taking radical personal responsibility (FOCUSFOCUS). Yes, the system has flaws (as a Millennial, I get it – stagnant wages while the price of everything, even a simple block of cheese, skyrockets!). But what if the real power lies in navigating it smartly? In building your empire? That’s what systems enable (FLOWFLOW). Efficient, AI-enhanced systems (FUSIONFUSION) – like using an AI scheduling tool to optimize client appointments or an AI writing assistant to craft compelling marketing copy – free up your time & energy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: serving your clients and building your vision. This is what the Business Flourish Framework is all about.

Designing Your Rich Life: Start Small, Dream Big

So, lovely, where do you start?

Define Your "Rich": What does "rich" or "abundant" genuinely mean to you? Is it about financial security, time freedom to spend with family, the ability to travel, or creating a positive impact? Write it down. Be specific.
Visualize & Feel It: Close your eyes & imagine living that "rich" life. What do you see, hear, feel? The more vivid the image, the more powerful the pull.
Smallest Viable Step Today: What's one tiny action you can take today to move closer to that vision? Setting a boundary around work hours? Brainstorming 3 marketing ideas inspired by Rory Sutherland's principle of 'psychological moonshots'? Carving out 15 minutes just for yourself? Small steps create momentum. Commit to that step & celebrate the win!