The Billion-Dollar Conundrum: Chasing Wealth in 2023

There hasn’t been a day in the past year where the billion-dollar question did not pop into my feed. Stop scrolling if you want to make money! Don’t buy their online course but also here is mine! It is 2023 and you are still breathing! You are doing something wrong! Your life is wrong! You are wrong!!!!

The majority of influencers nowadays misunderstand the assignment. Instead of advertising something useful, they are now responsible for telling you how to live your life. Like every ad for any product, you need to identify the issue first when you fail to do so, you create an issue based on what you are offering. So instead of solving a problem you are creating one. None of the financial influencers are billionaires; they are on your feed to feast on your attention, sell their products, and increase their views because they also want to become billionaires at most. So, the question that is haunting an entire generation has not been answered yet! Well, some did find the answer, but obviously, they won’t share it. They are Mister Carb, and we are Planktons trying to steal their Krabby Patty’s secret formula.

As per the flow of SpongeBob’s story, Plankton never succeeded in his attempt and that is because he based his success on stealing someone else’s hard work instead of creating his own wealth. I consider Plankton the smartest yet most unfortunate character. In each episode, he creates a mindblowing great invention that can get him to float on the surface of the sea yet he destroys it just for that stupid useless formula. In a way, Plankton is a mirror of our generation, navigating a sea of opportunities, yet often choosing the path of least resistance in the quest for wealth.

Much like Plankton, many of us possess a certain set of skills and talents that we can use to make a fair amount of money. Yet, we find ourselves investing in random courses or chasing fleeting trends because the person on their lavish yacht in the morning Instagram story told us to do so. We’re the Planktons of the digital age, sidetracked by shiny objects and shortcuts.

Plankton’s genius inventions could have easily made him rich and successful. In one episode, he creates a contraption that allows him to control the minds of Bikini Bottom’s residents. Imagine the legitimate businesses he could have built with such a device! Instead, he stubbornly clings to his misguided obsession with the Krabby Patty formula, convinced it’s the only path to wealth.

Similarly, our generation often overlooks its own abilities and talents. We chase after get-rich-quick schemes, hoping that a single online course or investment will magically transform our financial situation. We disregard the skills we already possess, underestimating their potential to solve real-world problems and generate substantial income.

To break free from the Plankton mindset, we must first recognize our strengths and abilities. What unique skills do we possess, and how can we apply them to create value in the world? Instead of blindly following the latest trend, let’s take a moment to introspect and understand what makes us stand out in a sea of influencers and entrepreneurs.

For instance, if you have a knack for solving complex problems, you could offer consulting services to businesses in need of innovative solutions. If you’re a creative storyteller, consider starting a content creation agency or writing a bestselling book. The key is to leverage our individual talents and expertise to address genuine needs and challenges in our society.

Plankton’s futile pursuit of the Krabby Patty formula serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us that wealth is not an elusive treasure hidden behind a single secret door. It’s a journey filled with twists and turns, where success is achieved through hard work, perseverance, and a deep understanding of oneself.

So, instead of tirelessly searching for shortcuts to becoming a billionaire, let’s ask ourselves the more profound questions: Who are we, and what do we do? By knowing ourselves and our capabilities, we can chart a course that leads to not just financial success but also personal fulfillment. After all, true wealth is not only measured in dollars and cents but in the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way.

Ultimately, the lesson from Plankton and SpongeBob is clear: Don’t be a Plankton, endlessly chasing someone else’s formula for success. Be a SpongeBob, embracing your own talents and using them to make a real difference in the world. Who are you, and what do you do? It’s time to find out and embark on your own unique path to prosperity.