I recently listened to the “Invest Like the Best” podcast.

It was episode 323 where Sam Hinkie, founder of 87 Captial, was a guest.

Hinkie talked about the importance of a digital blueprint and finding your people.

The premise of the conversation stemmed around Hinkie’s desire to work with the best and the brightest of minds, as iron sharpens iron.

There is nothing more invigorating, more refreshing, than working with other talented individuals.

I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment, but I wanted to check my digital blueprint and use this blog to reinforce my beliefs up to this point.

I can humbly admit my writing in the beginning did not always reflect this philosophy.

Pre-2020s, I was a blogger that focused on the individual as a lone wolf. As the bearer of all weight when it comes to creating a strong nucleus of high value for themselves, for their partner, for their race.

What I’m about to describe likely exists in most, but especially for people in America, this strong desire dwells within us to prove we can excel on our own.

There is a phrase that is often used within black culture, to “get it out the mud.” A mantra of sorts proclaiming the ability to reach high status, from nothing despite all odds and adversaries.

Respectfully. . . do not struggle for the sake of pride.

This mindset is what holds many of us back.

If an easier paths exists, TAKE THE HELP.

The fact of the matter is: you need people.

You are always going to need people.

It is unavoidable.

My coach in college used to say this phrase: if you see a turtle on a ten-foot pole, just know it didn’t get up there on its own.

The blog post I wrote called Community, was the turning point for how I saw my interactions with people shift.

You see, your mindset has to repurpose when we encounter those whose motives oppose our own, from “I don’t need anybody” to “I acknowledge I need help. . .just not yours.”

There was once a time where your circle was centralized to your family and your immediate community.

Put simply, you HAD to rely on these people. Even the ones that didn’t have your best interests in mind.

Obviously, the state of globalization has transformed this dynamic entirely.

To our benefit and to our detriment.

We have algorithms that put social groups in front of us, content catered to our interests, and video platforms that can teach us anything we could ever want to know.

Your circle is literally at your fingertips.

Solidarity has taken on a whole new meaning.

It has extended beyond the realm of blood, last name, race, and ethnicity.

I am not denouncing the importance; however, don’t let identity be your ball and chain.

More importantly, community has evolved to become the beautiful convergence of ideas, and possibility, and hope, and faith that exists in each and every one fated to cross paths regardless of origin.

My circle has led me to trading market structure and not arbitrary dollar amounts, it has led me to oat milk, to chasing dreams I have never thought I would embark on, to interesting readings from history’s greatest entrepreneurs, and new combos in Street Fighter.

This point may seem obvious on the surface, but its easy to get caught up in the divisive nature these apps create rather than the unity (get on Twitter when presidential elections come back around).

Those people who are near and dear to your core beliefs are out there.

You are not alone.

Fate will drive you to those folk, as it has for me.

Weather Your Storm, Maintain Inner Reign -E.