My honest advice to someone who wants to make a lot of money.
3 things nobody told you:
1. The only way to make a lot of money is to create a lot of value.
No one hands out money. No one is going to pay you just because they like you or think you're cool. That's not the way the world works.
Money earned is a direct byproduct of value created. Create value, receive value. If money is the goal, value has to be the focus.
This isn't just some vague idea: The only way to get rich is to create an enormous amount of value for others, and capture a small portion of that along the way.
It's not talking about the thing, it's not brainstorming about the thing, it's not asking about the thing, it's not thinking about the thing. The only way to create value is by doing the thing.
And if you don't know where to start, look around you. Customers, colleagues, bosses, shareholders, employees. Every single one of them has a problem. What problems can you solve for the people around you? Figure them out, solve them, scale that solution.
That's how you make money.
2. You have to demonstrate excellence in everything you do.
Your income scales proportional to the amount of excellence that you're able to demonstrate.
Strategic incompetence is a lie. You don't get to pick and choose when to show up, because the world will ignore your best and judge you for your worst. Everything matters. Every single thing.
Top performers show up with energy and enthusiasm for the little things just as much as they do for the big things.
If you're in the top-10% of performers, there's no ceiling for what you can do. But the self-awareness to identify where you currently stack up, and adapt to the honest feedback on it, is very rare.
If you're in the top-10%, you know it. If you're not, figure out why and fix it.
3. You don't need passion, you need energy.
I still have no idea what it means to follow your passion.
You don't have to be passionate about your professional pursuits, you just need to find energy in them. You just need to feel a pull towards them. You just need to feel that spark of curiosity in them.
Passion is usually a byproduct of energy.
When you have energy for something, you'll give it your deep attention to learn more. You’ll ask the right questions. You’ll figure it out. You’ll win.
***
And remember: Nobody is coming to save you. It’s just you. There’s a power in that.
Go do the thing.
Career advice nobody told you: You have to demonstrate excellence in everything you do. Your income scales proportional to the amount of excellence that you're able to demonstrate. Strategic incompetence is a lie. You don't get to pick and choose when to show up, because the world will ignore your best and judge you for your worst. Everything matters. Every single thing. Top performers show up with energy and enthusiasm for the little things just as much as they do for the big things. If you're in the top-10% of performers, there's no ceiling for what you can do. But the self-awareness to identify where you currently stack up, and adapt to the honest feedback on it, is very rare. If you're in the top-10%, you know it. If you're not, figure out why and fix it.
We’re pleased to welcome Bruno Morgante to the Global Project Management Forum.
For the third time, he joins us to share a journey shaped by challenges and discovery — highlighting the power of persistence, adaptability, and the right mindset in achieving goals.
But beyond success… what comes next?
This session dives deeper into what it truly takes to build a winning mindset — and how to sustain it in an ever-evolving world.
We look forward to his stories, insights, and to welcoming both familiar faces and new connections at #GPMF2026
Riyadh – Fairmont Hotel
Conference details: https://t.co/QEE6VUeiua
Register as a participant: https://t.co/S8wl8Udarg
Become a speaker: https://t.co/8xZEV4ymjC
#GPMF2026
"You’re going to die one day, and none of this is going to matter. So enjoy yourself. Do something positive. Project some love. Make someone happy. Laugh a little bit. Appreciate the moment. And do your work."
@naval
7 Stoic lessons from Marcus Aurelius:
1. Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself
2. Don't be afraid to ask for help
3. Anger is the opposite of strength
4. No one can make you upset—you choose to be
5. The obstacle is the way
6. Helping others helps you
7. Memento mori
Be humble. Be teachable. The universe is bigger than your view of the universe. There's always room for a new idea. Humility is necessary for growth. 🧠
companies: we are committed to working towards a greener future 😊
also companies: hi I know your entire job can be done from your couch but we really need you to go back to idling in traffic 10 times per week because Brian needs to time your bathroom breaks to feel alive