Regardless of your level of success, are you fulfilled? For most entrepreneurs, even the massively successful ones, the answer is a hard “no.” Success without fulfillment is failure. What can you do? Enter Scott Maderer. The host of The Deep Wealth Podcast and post-exit entrepreneur Jeffrey Feldberg speaks with Scott Maderer to help you align your time, talents, and resources. This helps you live authentically, pursue your passions, serve others, and provide for your family. Scott's journey is full of lessons and insights that can change how you see your world.
Scott Maderer, along with his wife Carrie, founded Inspire Stewardship. Since 2011, they've helped individuals and couples live meaningful lives, guiding them on how to use time, talent, and resources wisely. Scott says, "I always want to help people. I want to be able to help other people, so basically, I knew I had struggled, I knew how hard it was for me, and I wanted to make that path easier for others."
Scott's journey began with many twists and turns. From wanting to be a medical researcher to becoming a teacher, and later transitioning into corporate and finally into stewardship coaching. Scott's path is a lesson that the map of life is not always straight. Sometimes you need to change direction to find where you truly belong.
Discovering the Path
Scott says, "Everyone has a story, and I think a lot of times we're in the middle of the story and we don't realize that we're still in the middle of it." He started out wanting to be a medical researcher because he wanted to help people. But he soon learned that researchers spent more time chasing grants than doing work that mattered. This was a turning point for Scott, who decided to leave that path.
For many years, Scott tried different things. He worked for his dad, started his own businesses, and even became a school teacher. He loved teaching but found it emotionally draining and not always rewarding. After 16 years, Scott transitioned to the corporate world, which was demanding but allowed him to lead and develop others. He quickly moved up the corporate ladder, but all the travel took a toll on him.
Scott’s journey shows us that sometimes we need to try different things to find our true calling. As he puts it, "The truth is it's always talent because at the end of the day, how you handle your time, how you handle your money, is actually about how you handle yourself."
One of the big lessons from Scott’s story is living with intention. But what does that mean? Simply put, Scott explains that it means living life on purpose. It's about making specific choices rather than just letting life happen. He says, "Intentional living, to me that simply means...living your life on purpose, being proactive instead of reactive."
To get started, Scott suggests looking at your habits. Ask yourself, do these habits help me or slow me down? Keep the good ones and change the ones that don't serve you anymore.
Building a Life of Intentional Living
Scott also talks about living intentionally. He explains, “Intentional living is about living your life on purpose, being proactive instead of reactive.” Scott emphasizes the importance of examining habits to ensure they serve you well. He says, “Until you sit down and examine those habits and begin to think about what do I want to leave in, what do I want to get rid of, then you can't really live an intentional life."
This insight helps remind us of the importance of focusing on what truly matters in our lives. Being intentional allows you to spend your time on things that mean a lot to you, and it can lead to happiness and fulfillment.
Another key to living intentionally is knowing that taking care of yourself is not selfish. Scott reminds us, "If you don't take care of yourself, you can't help others as much as you want to." He underlines that genuine self-care allows you to overflow with energy that you can then use to help others. Put yourself first, fill your cup, then you can better fill others'.
Invest in Yourself and Others
There's a significant section in Scott’s message about investing in yourself before others. Scott says, “self care is not selfish. You honestly can't really help other people as much as you want to if you don’t take care of yourself.” When you invest in yourself, you’re better equipped to help others.
Developing your skills and taking care of your well-being should be your first priority. This may seem counterintuitive, but remember, you need to take care of yourself to be able to take care of others.
Time, talent, and treasures – these are the gears that make the machine of life turn smoothly. But juggling them isn't easy. Scott advises, "...how you handle your time, how you handle your money, is actually about how you handle yourself." If you struggle to find balance, it might be time to look inwards. How do your daily choices align with what you truly value?
Scott challenges us to look at our priorities, noting that there is really only one priority: the thing that matters most. Ask yourself what that is, and make sure your actions reflect it.
The Power of Faith and Forgiveness
Scott also highlights the connection between faith, business, and finances. He talks about the value of faith and believing in something bigger than yourself. He says, "Money's just a tool. It's about our relationship with money." By changing how we see money, it becomes a tool for creating the life we want.
Speaking about forgiveness, Scott notes, “Forgiveness is the act of putting down the rocks.” It’s about letting go of hurt caused by others to free yourself from pain. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you agree with the behavior; it’s about letting go of negative emotions.
Happiness isn't just about that new toy or reaching a new goal. It's about finding joy and being content with life. Scott encourages focusing on contentment over temporary happiness. He says, "I don't chase happiness. That's not a mindset or an emotion that I'm after. I do chase contentment, enjoy, and things like that."
Connecting with Others
Through Scott’s story, we also learn the importance of connecting with people genuinely. Scott says, “If you could take from others the wisdom of the relationship, connection, I would do that.” Building relationships enriches our lives and can open doors to new opportunities.
Faith and spirituality can also play a significant role. For Scott, his Christian faith gives him a framework to forgive and move forward. "Forgiveness is the act of putting down the rocks...it allows you to move forward...in a way that changes now your own heart."
Even if faith isn't central to your life, the principle of looking at challenges through a lens of forgiveness and understanding can help you stay grounded and focused on growth.
Conclusion: Moving Forward
Scott’s journey teaches us that success is not just about wealth but also about living a life of purpose and intention. It's about discovering your talents, using your time wisely, and being a steward of your own life. By sharing these lessons, Scott reminds us of the importance of finding our calling and living intentionally to achieve happiness and fulfillment.
Living an intentional life also means valuing the people around you. Scott advises, "Authentically connect with others, not just on a surface level but at a deeper level." In a world where we often feel rushed, taking time to genuinely connect with the people in our lives can bring about untold joy.
So, as you move forward, ask yourself: Are you living intentionally? Are you investing in yourself and others? Are you connecting with people authentically? Answering these questions can help guide you on the path to success, making your life richer and more rewarding. Remember, your journey is unique, and it's never too late to start living with purpose!
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