Be, Do, Have: My Post Six-Figure Journey to Becoming the Person Who Can Sustain What I Want

Disclaimer: I write from a Christian perspective, blending biblical wisdom with personal experiences. If that’s not your faith tradition, feel free to take what resonates for you and set aside what doesn’t. My hope is that these reflections prompt deeper thought about becoming the kind of person who can truly sustain the blessings you seek.

A Six-Figure Lifestyle That Left Me Empty

There was a time when my photography business flourished. I’d hit six figures, and on the surface, it looked like I had it all: thousands of followers, weekly or bi-weekly travels to various cities, luxurious Airbnbs, and even the occasional exotic car rental. From the outside, I was living the dream. Behind the filtered photos, though, I felt the sting of reality. Despite the income, the clout, and the so-called “lifestyle,” I was lonely, perpetually exhausted, and paradoxically broke. The emptiness weighed on me, revealing that having something doesn’t necessarily mean you can sustain it—or find fulfillment in it.

Eventually, I encountered biblical teachings in Genesis 1 and the “Be, Do, Have” framework popularized by Myron Golden. I realized I’d been aiming straight for the “Have” stage, piling up experiences and possessions, while neglecting the deeper heart work and skill-building that could have sustained my achievements. Hitting that wall forced me to step back and question how I got there. I saw that I’d been fixated on outward success—money, prestige, and social media admiration—yet my inner life was running on fumes. In chasing the short-term high of a glamorous business, I lost sight of the long-term peace and purpose that come from a more holistic approach to success.

Discovering “Be, Do, Have” in Genesis 1

It was in reading Genesis 1 with fresh eyes that I began to notice a sequence in God’s instruction. The text showed a pattern of being fruitful, then multiplying, and eventually exercising dominion. I’d grown so used to focusing on the dominion part—my right to achieve, earn, and rule my corner of the market—that I never considered how Scripture places identity and action before material gains. I realized the biblical order is “be,” then “do,” and ultimately “have.” But I’d pursued “having” first. I wanted the money, the following, and the fun. The painful result was a form of success that looked shiny but crumbled under the weight of its own superficiality.

Reflecting on this brought clarity to why I felt so hollow. My identity had become entangled in the lifestyle I projected. My sense of worth came from applause, page views, and brand deals. In chasing these external validations, I neglected to ask who I needed to become—on the inside—to maintain not just my finances, but also my joy and integrity. The more I studied, the more it dawned on me that my hustle, while impressive on paper, lacked a firm spiritual and emotional anchor. I had gains, but I had no grounding.

When All Work Works, Even When It’s Working On Me

Myron Golden’s notion that “all work works” struck me like a thunderbolt. He teaches that if the work isn’t working for you, it’s working on you. At first, I felt defensive because I’d put in more hours than anyone I knew. How could that possibly be wasted? But as I sifted through my past experiences—countless hours editing photos, sleepless nights planning shoots, long flights to the next job—I began to see that none of it was truly in vain. Even the ventures that ended in disappointment taught me resilience, sharpened my creativity, and revealed the flaws in my approach. Each challenge and setback added bricks to the foundation I was beginning to build.

Over time, I saw that every supposed “failure” was shaping my character. The times I undercharged and ended up broke taught me to value my worth. The seasons of loneliness opened my eyes to how important genuine connections and rest were for sustaining my emotional health. And the moments of spiritual dryness? They humbled me, forcing me to realize that I couldn’t sustain a constant grind without divine grace and guidance. All of these lessons merged into a testimony that my work was indeed working on me—transforming me into someone who could eventually handle blessings in a way that honored both God and myself.

Recognizing My True Nature as a Spiritual Being

Before this journey, I mostly viewed myself as a physical person dabbling in spiritual things whenever I had the time or felt the need. That viewpoint left me compartmentalizing God’s role in my business. Only when I started embracing the truth that I’m primarily a spiritual being living a human experience did I stop drawing lines between my faith and my professional life. The hustle-and-grind mentality began to yield to a more holistic perspective, one that integrated prayer, discernment, and moral integrity into my daily decisions.

This shift helped me see why, even after achieving certain milestones, I felt so hollow. If my spirit was parched, no amount of earthly accomplishment could quench that thirst. As I placed God at the center of my pursuits, decisions about money, client relationships, and personal branding took on a new meaning. Instead of obsessing over how much I could gain, I asked how each choice aligned with a deeper, eternal purpose. That spiritual realignment became a wellspring of peace—an internal reservoir that worldly praise or social metrics could never replicate.

Becoming the Person Capable of Sustaining Blessings

One of the most sobering realizations came when I understood that wanting something isn’t enough. Even achieving it isn’t enough if I lack the maturity to steward it responsibly. Thinking back to how I reached six figures only to end up lonely and financially unstable, I saw that my character and capabilities needed to evolve just as much as my bank account. I had to become the kind of person who could handle success without letting it corrode my values or my mental well-being.

In practical terms, that meant improving my skillset, refining my character, and—perhaps most importantly—inviting God into my business. I needed to sharpen my leadership, communication, and budgeting approaches. I had to address underlying insecurities that made me seek approval through clout and material gains. Little by little, as I worked on these dimensions, I noticed a shift. I started attracting healthier business opportunities and forming more authentic relationships. Situations that once left me anxious no longer felt so daunting because my identity wasn’t wrapped up in momentary successes or failures. I was growing to be a better steward of whatever God allowed me to have.

Owning Dominion with Humility and Service

Genesis 1 also addresses having dominion over the earth, which at first glance can sound like accumulating power for self-gratification. But I began to interpret dominion as leadership grounded in compassion and accountability. If God grants me influence or wealth, it’s not for ego-boosting but for serving others and uplifting those around me. That reorientation completely changed my approach to doing business. I wanted to ensure that my partnerships, my pricing, and my marketing were all done ethically and with a spirit of generosity.

This emphasis on stewardship reminded me that everything I have is entrusted to me temporarily. If I’m not mindful, I could misuse the very gifts meant to bless others. Viewing dominion as a call to serve made my work feel more purposeful. No longer was I chasing bigger numbers just for the sake of impressing Instagram followers; I was now focusing on how to add real value to clients, employees, and collaborators. This is what “dominion” began to look like—caring for the domain God placed under my influence, making sure it flourished rather than imploded under shallow motives.

Refocusing on Eternal Treasure Instead of Earthly Approval

Although I once basked in the lifestyle I’d curated—travel, exotic rentals, fancy photoshoots—I reached a point of emotional and spiritual bankruptcy. Jesus’s words in Matthew 6 about not storing treasures on earth struck me in a new way. Every glitzy Airbnb and social media flex represented treasures that could vanish in an instant, and they never truly satisfied my soul. When I shifted my priorities to storing treasures in heaven—cultivating love, integrity, faith, and genuine relationships—I discovered a different kind of wealth, one that no downturn or trend change could erase.

Focusing on eternal values allowed me to breathe easier. I no longer had to scramble to maintain a facade of success. I could celebrate small wins, accept occasional losses, and still feel a deep sense of peace. Pursuing something bigger than myself alleviated the pressure to please everyone or keep up with ever-changing algorithms. It became clearer that what matters most is who I am in Christ, not the ephemeral trophies I’d once collected. As I embraced this mindset, the superficial metrics lost their grip on me. Ironically, that liberated me to do better work—freer from the paralyzing fear of failure, more open to God’s leading in all areas, including business growth through pricing or developing new products.

Conclusion: Seeking True Fulfillment in God’s Design

My journey from a six-figure “success” in photography, rife with flashiness and emptiness, to a more rooted existence taught me that being always precedes genuine doing and sustainable having. Even though I enjoyed a glamorous moment under the spotlight, I learned the hard way that external achievements can feel hollow if my inner life remains undeveloped. Embracing the “Be, Do, Have” blueprint shifted my perspective, showing me that who I become is infinitely more important than what I can momentarily achieve.

Today, I’m more intentional about ensuring my identity is solid in God, my skill-building aligns with His principles, and my acquisitions serve a purpose beyond vanity. This holistic approach might not yield the instant highs I once chased, but it’s given me far more lasting peace and a greater sense of impact. If there’s one takeaway I can offer, it’s this: don’t shortchange the process of becoming. Surrender your life, your talents, and your ambitions to God, and let Him shape the person who can truly sustain the blessings He places in your path. That’s the essence of what it means to be fruitful, multiply, and, ultimately, have dominion in a way that honors both Creator and creation.