Your Life Is Bigger Than Money and Women

Living With Purpose

Richard Cooper uses a recent 2,000-kilometer supercar rally in Italy to make the point that everyone dies, but not everyone truly lives. Life, he argues, should be about more than earning money, buying a house, or pursuing relationships. It should also include meaningful goals and experiences that matter personally to you.

He recalls driving expensive cars in rainy weather and accepting that they might get dirty or damaged. For him and his friends, enjoying the cars and the journey mattered more than protecting them from every risk.

Key Takeaways

• Think beyond basic milestones and identify what would make life feel meaningful to you.
• Don’t assume an ambitious goal is out of reach. Raise your standards and build the skills, knowledge, and connections that could help you pursue it.
• Rather than waiting for a complete step-by-step plan, picture what you want and take consistent daily action toward it.
• When you get off course, notice it and correct your direction.
• Be willing to do the work—and accept some inconvenience or risk—instead of letting fear or perceived effort keep you from the life you want.
• Ask yourself what you still want to do and what work you need to do to make it possible.

Rally Details

The rally ended in Modena, Italy, in the region known as Motor Valley. The group also visited Ferrari and Pagani facilities. An earlier rally took place near Mount Washington in the northeastern United States.

Cars mentioned include the McLaren 720, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Acura NSX, Porsche 911 Turbo S, and Lamborghini Countach.