Your Apex Value is Your Passion

How do you pick your apex value? If you’ve been following me long enough, then you know it should in some way, come in the form of abundance.

Lets narrow it down.

 

This article assumes you are of slightly above avg IQ (110-115). I like to say that everyone can achieve abundance, but this is simply not true. And seeing as IQ is entirely within the genetics department, there’s not much preparation one can do with regards to it. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is a model we are going to apply to personality types and see what you’re good at, and what you should pursue accordingly. The intention is to narrow down on your apex value; the most important value that you will seek to attain as your purpose and passion. Also, I strongly consider for you to do several tests on your personality to really have a good understanding of yourself. A credible test online can be found HERE. 

 

Conscientiousness  

 

Apart from IQ, your level of conscientiousness is the best determinant of success. There are 6 parts to it;

– Orderliness – Achievement Striving, Industriousness, Dutifulness, Self-discipline – Deliberation. 

If you’re high on conscientiousness then you will;

• likely to be the happiest when productive
• make deliberate, well thought out moves
• keep your room tidy
• not leave tasks incomplete  
• find it easy forgoing desires & delaying gratification

If you’re high on conscientiousness, then it is likely that you are low on openness & creativity. They are roughly on a spectrum opposite to each other. It is very rare for a conscientious person to be also high on openness. If someone is conscientious AND creative, they will generally lack two to three out of the six facets of conscientiousness (such as orderliness & dutifulness). 

Jobs that suit this temperament, 

• Doctors, Lawyers, Pharmacists, Engineers
• Consultants, General Managers, Executives (depending on neuroticism)
• Business Owners (depending on creativity for innovation)

 

Some other factors that help you pinpoint your passion; 

If you are low on neuroticism, you can take on high stress load, and therefore occupy high stress positions that other people can’t (and get paid well for it).

Being high on extroversion, means that you will probably excel with people and your path should consist of executive roles in sales and marketing. If you lean towards introversion, you should seek executive roles in operations, and management. 

Be able to apply the SWOT analysis to identify the path you should seek. For example, if your strength is high efficiency & dutifulness, then your opportunity would be to occupy a position of high responsibility (eg executive role). It’s also worth noting your weakness (not being as creative) so you can actively prepare for threats. For example, lawyers and financial advisors are largely under threat from AI, smart contracts and robo-advisors. A typical response to such threat would be to diversify your well earned funds into investment properties, assets, etc.

 

Openness & Creativity 

 

If you’re high on creativity, then you should pursue entrepreneurship. Try and be realistic with yourself. Not everyone is creative (a small percentage of the population is). And if your not the type to enjoy finding abstract novel ideas and be able to implement it in a way that solves a complex problem, then you’re not creative.  

Also, remember to find a stable job (a relatively easy, stress-free 9 to 5) to provide yourself a steady source of income. Only THEN create your idea on the side. Being a real entrepreneur is a brutal path to take and you will need to provide yourself with enough financial aid to carry yourself forward. You will also need to find mentors that have a reputable position in the entrepreneurial world. It may also mean that you may need to give some equity upfront, to incentivize your mentor to help you with connections and funding. Read this THREAD with regards to how you go about attracting mentors and investors. I will be writing a full length article for members with regards to this thread.

You need to structure your life very carefully as an entrepreneur. Especially because order and structure happens to be your inherent weaknesses. 

 

A Typical Structure

1. Develop an idea that is novel, implementable and solves a complex problem
2. Design a prototype (funded with your 9-5)
3. Develop a concept of proof (funded with your 9-5)
4. Try to get some test results with your idea (have people use it & love it)
5. Seek mentors to help you find funding from investors

 

Many entrepreneurs jump straight from point one to finding an investor. This is a mistake. Investors will want to see you put your own money in developing your idea at least to certain degree. Why should they fund you if you can’t trust your idea enough to fund it yourself? When you seek funding, you need to have a plan as to why you need the money. “I want to develop it” is not enough. You need to have a clear strategy of what you will do post-development. That means have a clear plan of your marketing strategy, distribution channels and financial goals. I advise you to find yourself a mentor first; a well-established entrepreneur who will back your idea and provide his resources to you while helping you connect with investors. Mentors make your life infinitely easier. You may have to give some equity for no funding. But their resources and connections are well worth it.  

SWOT

Remember your strength is your ability to solve complex problems by finding innovative ideas. So opportunities for these types of individuals are in abundance, as problems can be found everywhere. Your weakness is not being able to excel in your line of work, and that would make you more prone to the threat of redundancy. You will also have weaknesses in structuring your life, your sleep habits, and irregularity in your income as result of funding your idea. If you live at home with parents, you will strongly be immune to most of these problems and have a head start. Make it count.  

I want to make a note here; if you choose to be an entrepreneur, DO NOT become one of those new age influencers who will do anything for clout, regardless who it harms. I strongly suggest you read this ARTICLE and take this seriously. Provide value for society that will benefit them in the long run.

 

A note on Neuroticism

Neuroticism measures negative emotions. It determines your level of stress tolerance. People high on neuroticism cannot occupy stressful positions. Alternatively, those with low neuroticism can occupy fast paced, stressful positions. If you are conscientious with low neuroticism, consider executive roles, investment banking, surgeon or barrister. If you are creative with low neuroticism, then consider working more hours while developing your idea, to capitalize on being able to fund a good portion of your development yourself. Regardless what your exposure to neuroticism is, you should aim to lower it as much as you can. It improves your character as a man. I employ shadow integration methods in The Lobby Room to improve people’s neuroticism. 

 

A Note Low IQ

If you are honest enough with yourself that you are short of average IQ, then in my opinion, I would try and join the military, or construction work that pays well during odd-shifts. Military will be a priceless endeavor, transforming you in many areas and consequently, your life. Night-shift construction work can help you make a lot of money and you should make it your aim to save as much as you can. 

 

Join The Lobby Room as a member, where we can discuss personality, work orientation, career pathways and apex values extensively. 

 

Unmodern Men