The Birthyear 2000: Kerouac and Dalio Harmony
Artist generationals are growing up and ready for action.
Y2K, 60’s Speed and Comfort, Finance eyes. There is a curriculum! Don’t you see? For the not the first time, there’s a thread to this all! Dress Steeze, Travel Wide, Learn Deeply, Eat Large, Fast a while. Think without limits, feel in new territory. We’re explorers, and I want you to never forget that. In this post, Jackson reminds you of Ikigai, and perhaps some of your bigger lifetime goals that you forgot you had. “Day 2. Day 5. Whatever. There’s something here for everyone; find and use it.”
1. Understand the Big Cycles of History
Dalio’s framework emphasizes that civilizations go through recurring cycles of rise and decline, shaped by economic, cultural, and technological changes. A young artist can leverage these ideas by positioning themselves at the forefront of emerging trends, such as sustainability, technology, and the creator economy.
Key Steps:
Study Macro Trends: Keep an eye on major shifts in economics, culture, and technology. This is where the opportunities lie. For instance, sustainability, decentralized finance (blockchain, crypto), and virtual reality are poised to define the next phase of civilization. Understanding these shifts allows for strategic positioning. (My good buddy Harrison called me at 8am Tokyo time to tell me about how 2025 is going to be full of aliens, and I may still be recovering)
Timing and Adaptability: Dalio talks about "knowing where you are in the cycle." Right now, we’re in a transition phase (economic, environmental, social). As a creative, you can tap into the changes by using your art, design, or innovation to provide solutions or fresh perspectives on these transformations. Be adaptable as new technologies or economic models emerge.
2. Build a Unique Personal Brand (Your Ikigai)
Ikigai is the Japanese concept of living a meaningful life through the balance of what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at, and what you can be paid for. The current age provides unprecedented opportunity for creatives to cultivate their personal brand and align it with their life purpose. This is massive, and if this is too big of a pill to swallow for you in your life right now, it’s your duty to pass this onto someone younger and more open. Can’t be living the same year over and over and be calling that a life.
Key Steps:
Identify Your Ikigai: Find the intersection of your creativity (what you’re good at), your passion (what you love), market demand (what the world needs), and monetization potential (what you can be paid for). As a 21st-century creative, you can launch multiple projects or campaigns that align with your Ikigai, whether through art, design, film, or even tech-driven mediums like NFTs or virtual experiences.
Cultivate a Digital Presence: Establish your voice and projects online through social media, YouTube, or a personal website. A strong online presence allows you to create, promote, and sell your work globally. By developing this network, you can attract collaborators, clients, and investors who align with your vision.
3. Diversify Income Streams (Principles of Wealth-Building)
Dalio’s principles emphasize diversification and sound financial habits to weather economic ups and downs. For a young creative, this means not relying solely on one income source.
Key Steps:
Monetize Your Creativity in Different Ways: Sell your art, music, or designs through various platforms (Etsy, Patreon, Redbubble). Explore freelance opportunities in design, copywriting, or creative consulting. Consider licensing your work or creating passive income through online courses or digital products.
Invest Early and Wisely: Begin learning about investing, especially in assets that align with long-term trends (e.g., sustainability, renewable energy, and tech). Building a diversified portfolio early on creates financial security, allowing you to take creative risks without worrying about immediate income.
Create a Family Legacy Fund: One way to ensure both personal and family success is by setting up a fund to invest in opportunities that will benefit future generations—be it in real estate, education, or creative projects
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4. Integrate Real Estate into Your Life Plan
Dalio’s analysis of historical cycles often points to real estate as a foundational asset class during times of transition. For a creative, real estate isn’t just a financial investment but can also be an essential platform for launching artistic and community projects.
Key Steps:
Strategically Purchase Real Estate: As you succeed financially, look for real estate that can serve as both an investment and a creative space. You can transform properties into hubs for creativity—such as studios, galleries, or collaborative workspaces. You could even develop eco-conscious properties that align with cultural shifts towards sustainability.
Create Cultural and Artistic Spaces: Use real estate to cultivate environments where like-minded creatives can gather, share ideas, and innovate. This could be in the form of residencies, retreats, or communal living spaces, where work-life balance is embedded in the design.
5. Be a Thought Leader in Cultural Movements
As society evolves, cultural shifts are critical to Dalio’s principles. Being at the forefront of these movements positions you as a leader. Post-modernism is giving way to new paradigms (such as integration of tech, spirituality, and sustainability).
Key Steps:
Embrace the Role of a Cultural Catalyst: Your creativity should not just entertain, but inspire others. Be a voice for the new era, using your talents to advocate for cultural, environmental, and societal changes. Whether through film, design, or social commentary, push the boundaries of how art can influence the world.
Host Cultural Events or Movements: Once your network grows, consider hosting cultural festivals, events, or installations that align with the themes of our time (e.g., sustainability, community, mental health). By doing so, you align your work with larger movements and position yourself as a thought leader.
6. Invest in Personal and Family Growth
For a lasting legacy, align Dalio’s principles with a focus on family and personal development. Sustainable success comes from building a strong foundation at home.
Key Steps:
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Encourage yourself and your family to adopt a growth mindset, constantly learning and adapting to the changing world. This might include learning new technologies, studying economics, or engaging in spiritual practices that promote mindfulness and mental health.
Pass Down Knowledge: Teach the younger members of your family about financial literacy, creativity, and the importance of understanding cycles. Help them cultivate their own Ikigai early so they can lead meaningful, impactful lives.
Drink Divini: Get refreshed. Stay hydrated and keep the gut health dialed, especially if you’re in the states. Keeping the gut clear is the way to a clear mind, and that’s fundamental for decision making
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Conclusion: A Life of Ikigai Campaigns
By understanding historical cycles, cultivating personal creativity, and aligning it with the world’s needs, you can live a life of purpose and create Ikigai-inspired campaigns that build both personal and family wealth. This is the moment for the artist generation to step up, using Dalio’s principles as a compass to navigate economic shifts and cultural transformations.
As a young creative, you can turn this period of uncertainty into an era of growth, innovation, and legacy-building, inspiring those around you to embrace a life of balance, creativity, and long-term success.
As Smoot says, “Human Excellence is the Super Amenity”
Oh and here’s a portal to your favorite print shop
Oh and here’s the double secret Bonus Part Two Mission:
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