Build your craft, and the wealth will build itself.
The best way to build wealth—and lasting job security—is not by chasing money. Job security comes from making yourself so valuable that opportunities seek you.
Steve Jobs wasn’t focused on keeping a paycheck; he pursued passion and excellence. In his second term at Apple, he was forced to take company shares because his value to the company was undeniable.
At Pixar, the team’s dedication went beyond their desks. While working on Finding Nemo, many became certified scuba divers to understand the world they were animating. They weren’t worried about losing jobs—when you work at that level of mastery, your skills ensure you’re always needed.
The same principle applies to engineering—or any profession. Don’t aim for safety through a contract or a title. Aim for security through excellence. Become a world-class engineer, leader, or creator, and you’ll never have to fear layoffs or economic downturns.
We’ve been sold a story about wealth.
It goes like this: Work hard at a secure job. Climb the ladder. Save diligently. Invest wisely. The underlying message is that wealth is something you pursue directly, a target you must constantly aim for.
But what if that story is backwards? What if the most profound and lasting wealth isn’t a destination you chase, but a byproduct of a life passionately lived?
The secret isn't to pursue wealth, but to pursue excellence with such intensity that the world has no choice but to reward you for it.
The Steve Jobs Lesson: Passion Over Paychecks
Consider Steve Jobs’s return to Apple in 1997. He came back not as a mercenary CEO for a massive salary, but as a founder on a rescue mission for the company he loved. In fact, for his first few months, he was officially an "interim" CEO and refused to take any salary or bonus.
He was so focused on the work—on pulling Apple from the brink—that the traditional trappings of wealth were an afterthought. He was later forced to accept a stock package, not because he demanded it, but because the board insisted. That passion-fueled focus on excellence and innovation didn't just save Apple; it built one of the most valuable companies in history, and with it, Jobs's own fortune. He didn't chase the wealth; the wealth followed the work.
The Pixar Principle: Excellence in the Deep End
This principle isn't confined to a single visionary. Look at the team at Pixar while they were creating Finding Nemo.
They weren't just animators staring at screens. To authentically capture the fluid, shimmering beauty of the ocean and its inhabitants, the team—including the directors and artists—became certified scuba divers. They immersed themselves in the world they were trying to create.
They weren't thinking, "Will this scuba certification help me get a promotion?" They were thinking, "How can we make this more beautiful, more real, more excellent?" That relentless pursuit of craft resulted in a timeless film that captivated the world and was a massive commercial success. The world came to them because they were obsessed with their world.
The Engineer's Edge: From Job Security to World-Class Mastery
So, what does this mean for you, especially in a field like engineering?
We often worry about "job security." We polish our resumes, learn the trending buzzwords, and try to position ourselves as safe, reliable hires. But this is a mindset of fear. It focuses on being needed rather than being indispensable.
The paradigm shift is this: Become so passionate that you need not worry about “Job Security.”
Instead of chasing the next high-paying job, chase mastery. Become the engineer who doesn't just write code, but who is fascinated by elegant architecture. Become the engineer who reads research papers for fun, who tinkers with side projects on weekends, who is genuinely curious about the "why" behind the "how."
When you become a world-class engineer driven by passion:
You stop following trends; you start setting them. Your deep understanding allows you to innovate, not just implement.
Recruiters stop being a nuisance and become a resource. Your reputation and portfolio speak louder than any resume.
Job security becomes irrelevant because career security is absolute. The world is always in need of true masters of their craft.
You are no longer a replaceable cog. You become a thought leader, a problem-solver, and a magnet for opportunity.
The Invitation: Pursue Passion, Let Wealth Follow
The chase for wealth is a frantic race on a treadmill. The pursuit of passion is a climb up a mountain. The climb itself is fulfilling, and when you reach a new peak, the view—the success, the impact, the financial reward—is breathtaking.
Start asking, "What work excites me so much that I would do it for free? How can I become the absolute best at it?"
Pour your energy into that. Become obsessed with excellence. Dive deep into your craft, even if it means getting scuba-certified.
The world has a funny way of rushing to the feet of those who are too busy creating to notice it waiting.
Build your craft, and the wealth will build itself.
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