Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and as entrepreneurs, it’s our job to catch them with grace (or at least a dash of humor). Recently, I found myself preparing for a TEDx talk, a mere eight-minute speech that needs to encapsulate a lifetime of lessons. This isn’t just any presentation; it’s TEDx. So, I’m pouring my focus into crafting something unforgettable with the help of a coach, aiming for that elusive “one message” clarity.
The theme we’re working with is “Automated Abundance,” a concept I’m deeply passionate about and one that drives my own journey toward success and fulfillment. But what does that mean, exactly? For me, abundance is not about extravagance; it’s the freedom to live a life by design—a life filled with purpose, strong relationships, financial stability, and health. And, yes, a lot of it boils down to creating systems that let you be productive without being present 24/7. We all want that level of freedom, right?
The Journey to True Wealth
In my book Wealth Beyond Money, I talk about the six dimensions of success, which I sum up in the acronym “SIMPLE”—Spirituality, Intellect, Money, Physical health, Love, and Entertainment. Achieving abundance in each of these areas isn’t about going all out in one and skimping on the others. It’s about the kind of micro-calibration that keeps a plane steady. Believe it or not, most airplanes are on autopilot over 90% of the time, and yet they get passengers exactly where they need to be. Life can work the same way if we set our systems up right.
My own journey is a testament to that. From managing my custom apparel businesses like stuff4GREEKS and Zeus' Closet to writing bestselling books and speaking worldwide, it’s been an act of constant calibration —sometimes a precarious one.
Good systems are my secret.
When I first started, I thought throwing people at a problem would solve it. I quickly learned that you can’t just hire your way out of chaos. You need efficient, repeatable processes. Today, I do more with a leaner team than I ever could with a bloated payroll.
Training, Trust, and Letting Go
When you’re building something, trust is huge—whether that’s trusting your team or your systems. My social media presence, for instance, runs on just 15 minutes of my daily time. Using a mix of AI and a solid assistant, I’ve got posts going up daily across five brands. It’s about telling the right story, training my team well, and setting up the right automation. I share content that’s genuine and vulnerable because that’s the real driver of connection.
If you want your brand or business to shine, take the time to train your people and your AI. Record everything, document the processes, and let others take the reins without micromanaging every move. A good process, like a good story, doesn’t need you around all the time to keep unfolding.
Stepping Onto the TEDx Stage
This TEDx talk is a leap toward my North Star—a life where I inspire others to design their lives with abundance and intentionality. We’re talking about setting up autopilot in ways that go beyond business. When my talk is live, my hope is it’ll resonate with anyone looking to break free from constant hustle and finally find the answer to the myth of balance.
In the meantime, I’m still grinding, still setting up systems, and still leaning into each of those six dimensions. We all deserve a life of abundance. So, here’s to more balance, more impact, and maybe a few less curveballs. Let’s keep designing lives worth living.
Catch me on Instagram at @EthanKing.co or visit EthanKing.com to connect and learn more about how you, too, can put abundance on autopilot.
Check the full podcast episode where Justin King and I discuss this concept here.
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