Living Life in Flow vs Life in Force Model
I am deeply grateful to my dear brother and friend, Scott Ford, for his contributions in developing the Infinite Entrepreneurship model.
For many of us, life unfolds in a relentless cycle of force. We unwittingly perpetuate this cycle from one generation to the next, passing on the same destructive patterns that were once imposed upon us. The cycle comprises four core components: the individual internal relationship with yourself; intimate relationships within the family; our public persona and how we present ourselves to the world; and how we allocate our time, talents, and resources.
In the cycle of force, we must individually emerge from the grip of addictions, abuse, trauma, and a lack of self-awareness until we attain a balanced state that allows us to engage in healthy relationships. After a period of fostering healthy relationships, a desire for impact, starting a business, achieving fame, or some other public pursuit typically arises. This public phase often yields fireworks, self-aggrandizement, and what society might label as success.
Subsequently, we enter the final loop focused on wealth, encompassing not only monetary wealth but also how we invest our time, energy, and resources. When we neglect our core values in this phase, apathy creeps in, and value production diminishes, eventually leading to entitlement and a descent into the cycle’s nadir. We must then begin the process anew.
The expressions “from rags to riches in three generations” and “the sins of the fathers rest on the children for seven generations” allude to these dynamics. Did you know that 70% of all financial resources held by wealthy families are lost by the second generation, and a staggering 90% are dissipated by the third?
How can we break free from this destructive cycle of force, not just for ourselves, but also for our children and grandchildren? The answer lies at the apex of the infinite loop, as depicted in the diagram (below). Achieving clarity regarding our individual values and ensuring they harmonize with our family values—which, in turn, align with our public-facing values, and coincide with our wealth values (how we invest our time, energy, and money)—mark the initial step in toppling the cycle of force and transitioning into a state of flow. I refer to this as “lubricating the system.”
Yet, values alone are insufficient to disrupt the cycle of force. We must also eliminate the accumulated rust, grit, and grime from our lives to effect this change. This involves eradicating incongruencies, addressing epigenetic factors that have kept us stuck, and consciously choosing not to perpetuate the cycles of destruction that have been passed down through generations.
It is only when our personal, family, public-facing, and wealth values align that we can genuinely live in flow and experience joy.
Below are the visual diagrams that I use to indicate and walk through the Flow vs Force Model.
This model ties in very close with the Legado Family structure and has been a game changer not only for me, but for many with whom I work.
Download the animated version of Living Life in a Cycle of Flow
