Galicia Gordon on Leading Learners Blog

Feb 26, 2022

Why You Should Keep Your Money, Successes, Jobs, Goals, And Plans Private

I love my mom so much. Woman is the kindest, smartest, and wisest woman. Would never harm a soul or do any wrong.

She told me "nobody needs to know" growing up and I always questioned it. And the antsy 12-year-old stage I went through made me try to get a word in with "but." She always had that same response. Never failed. Point of the long and elongated story: do not question your mothers. 

Her saying "nobody needs to know, even if you had billions of dollars" made me say, 'this woman is more right than anyone' and why she would get it easily, faster, and with ease more than anyone I know. I still stick to that to this day.

Nobody needs to know you got something. Nobody needs to know what school you are attending or plan to. Nobody needs to know your financial status. Not a single person needs to know the jobs you have worked at ⏤ not one. Nobody needs to know if "only one" of your businesses is making $10,000,000 in ARR. Nobody. Think about why you are sharing anything. Think for a minute. Just for validation. That is it. (P.S. all of this allows you to work more jobs and do more than most people). 

"No, I use my social media as a personal tracker." No, that is why there are new productivity and personal note-taking apps being created every week.

"No, I want to make my mom and dad proud." I am pretty sure they are in the other room, or able to be dialled in 30 seconds.

"No, I just wanted to share my successes to prove that girl, guy, family member, or teacher wrong." Pause... You might be onto something... I never considered it... It took me minute to think of the word... Resume. Validation.

Before the men who are knees-deep in crypto, his booming business, attention solely from successful people, and status comes into this trying to get a word in, I have something to say. I would never tell anyone about any of those above things, and more, because of personal choice, and what I have learnt. This is what allows me to get these things I want in life, and be much more happier than most. Everyday I get up and tackle everything in front of me with joy. Everyone knows that I give the best version of myself in every area of my life and questions it, but my only answer is because of what I just said. 

I am happy because I do it for myself, to support my friends, and support my family. It actually angers these type of men (and women too) that never, until the day I die, can they emotionally affect me, make me think I need them, and force me to post about money, successes, or plans. It is useless for me, in my eyes. Especially seeing that I have the next 10 years of my life secured and laid out without lifting a finger all by myself.

Another point I learnt aside from "nobody needs to know" is "keep your mouth quiet." I laugh sometimes in secret because when there are people who display everything, people can easily beat them too like nothing. Easily. And effortlessly. Like butter in a frying pan. And then they get mad or jealous. The laugh turns into a prolonged chuckle.

This all taught me too, to never be jealous. I am never jealous of anyone, which shocks people, but I already shared how here.

Never am I discouraging people from revealing accomplishments, or posting their work online where it is for growing a personal brand, career, business, or influential status. It is just not for me, and has allowed me to do more than people near the stereotypical and standardized retirement age. 

I would not say I have a "passion" for anything or that I "need" anyone or anything, but what I love and spend a lot of time doing is admiring the quiet companies.

There is this bootstrapped company who is making more than anyone in their field, and I love all the Founders. They did their first social media post announcing their finances in the 5 years of business and I was clapping hysterically. Love them all.

Hope this gives some perspective. Remember, all of it is validation. You do not need any. None.