I turned 50 this week.

And for most of my life, I assumed that number would feel different.

At 20, I thought success at 50 would be obvious.

Big bank accounts...
Fancy cars...
Dream homes and vacations...

External markers that told the world I had “made it.”

Instead, what overwhelmed me wasn’t revenue.

It was reputation.

The words people used:

Loyal...
Trustworthy...
Integrity...
Honorable...

That hit harder than any milestone ever could.

Money is loud...reputation is quiet.

Money spikes...reputation compounds.

You can manufacture income...you can’t manufacture trust.

In business, you don’t get away with behavior...you just delay the receipt.

At this stage of life, I care less about impressing people and more about protecting something.

My name...my word...my alignment.

Because when things get serious in business, people don’t look for the loudest voice.

They look for the most trusted one.

That’s the game I’m playing now.

And heading into the back 9 knowing exactly who I am and what I stand for…

That feels like wealth.

By Chris Errington