“Labor builds the body.
Speech builds the bridge.
Vision builds the world.”
– Unknown sage, possibly inside me.Hey friend 👋🏾
I wanted to share something that really shifted my mindset recently. I’ve been diving deep into the world of affiliate marketing and online business, and I attended an incredible event — Funnel Hacking Live.
While I was there, I came across a concept that completely changed the way I think about money, value, and income. It’s called The Four Levels of Value (or Income) — and the credit for this idea goes to Myron Golden.
I’m still learning and applying this myself, but I wanted to break it down for you as I go — in case it gives you the same “ah-ha!” moment it gave me.
Let’s walk through it together. 👣
🥋 The Gentle Knock at the Door
Some people rise before the sun, work all day with sore hands, and still come home worried about bills.
Others speak for an hour and earn more than some do in a month.
It doesn’t seem fair at first glance.
But fairness has never been the measure of value in the marketplace.
Clarity has. Creativity has. Communication has.
That realization came during a quiet moment after hearing a teaching from Myron Golden — the concept of the Four Levels of Value.
This isn’t a success story.
It’s a field note from someone walking the path.
This is simply what I’m learning, what I’m reflecting on, and what I’m starting to do about it
💪🏾 Level 1: Implementation (Using Your Muscle)
This is the level where most of us start out. I know I did — and truthfully, I’ve been stuck here longer than I wanted to admit.
People in this level are the ones doing the work — the physical labor. They’re trading time for money.
Think:
- Fast food workers
- Construction workers
- Mechanics
- Housekeepers
- Even engineers (like I used to be)
At this level, you’re using your muscle as your main resource. You're the one "doing the thing."
The typical income range at this level? Somewhere between minimum wage to around $100,000 per year — depending on the industry and hours.
The challenge:
There’s a cap. You can only work so many hours. You can’t scale your time. And as I’m realizing… this level is tough to break free from unless you intentionally move up.
Level 1 is where you’re the one doing the work. You’re trading your time, energy, and often your physical labor for income. I’ve been in this space — grinding, building, learning the ropes. And I thought if I just kept working hard enough, the money would follow.
But it didn’t.
I started realizing that no matter how many hours I worked, I was still capped. I could only do so much. And deep down, I knew I had more inside me than just being the one doing the “thing.”
The hard truth I’m coming to terms with is this: I’ve been operating mostly with muscle.
And now it’s time to level up.
🧭 What I Know I Need to Do Next (And What I’m Committing To)
I don’t have this all figured out. But I’m no longer pretending that things will magically change without me changing first.
Here’s what I know I need to do — and what I’m starting to take action on right now:
🎤 1. Join Toastmasters (or a Speaking Club)
If I want to move into Level 3 — Communication — then I’ve got to get better at using my mouth instead of just my muscle.
That means practicing speaking, learning how to connect with people through words, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
🛒 2. Study and Practice Sales (Actually Talk to People)
This one scares me a little, but I know it’s necessary. I’ve avoided “selling” for a long time, but now I’m realizing that sales is just service through conversation.
So I’m studying sales — and more importantly, I’m going to practice it.
That means actually getting in conversations, asking questions, listening, and guiding people to a decision that helps them.
🎥 3. Create the Damn Videos
This is probably the hardest one for me. I’ve started, stopped, and second-guessed myself a hundred times.
But the truth is: the more content I create, the more experience I’ll gain — and the more confidence I’ll build.
No more waiting for perfect. I'm committing to getting visible, being real, and building the habit of showing up.
🧩 Level 2: Unification (Using Management Skills)
This level is about managing people who are doing the implementation work.
You’re not swinging the hammer anymore — you’re organizing the people who do.
Think:
- Fast food managers
- Project supervisors
- Team leads
- Corporate managers
You’re still trading time for money, but now you’re using a different resource: management.
Depending on what kind of team you're managing, your income might range from $50,000 to $250,000+ per year.
This is where many people aim to go after climbing the corporate ladder. But even here, I’m learning there’s still a limit. You’re tied to systems, teams, and fixed salary structures.
🗣️ Level 3: Communication (Using Your Mouth)
Now here’s where things start to get exciting.
At this level, you’re not managing people or doing the physical labor — you’re communicating value.
This can be:
- Salespeople
- Speakers
- Authors
- Influencers
- Educators
- Entertainers
- YouTubers
- Songwriters
- Podcasters
You’re using your voice, your presence, and your influence to move people. And from what I’m seeing, the people who learn how to communicate well tend to make significantly more income than those who just work hard.
For example, a good car salesperson might make $150,000 a year.
But an actor, author, or keynote speaker? Millions.
The difference is in the ability to move emotion, spark inspiration, or deliver value through words.
And honestly, this is the level I’m working hard to lean into right now. It’s uncomfortable sometimes — making videos, writing posts, going live — but I’m realizing that the more I practice communicating, the more I grow.
💡 Level 4: Imagination (Using Your Mind and Money)
This is the highest level of income — and the one that makes the biggest impact.
At this level, you're using your mind to imagine solutions, create visions, and build businesses around ideas that haven’t existed before.
This is where entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators live.
They don’t just sell a product — they invent one.
They don’t just join a movement — they start one.
They don’t just play the game — they write the rules.
And in many cases, they use not just their mind, but also their money to fund their ideas and scale their visions.
People in this level are building systems that work without them.
They’re solving problems on a larger scale.
And from what I’m seeing, they aren’t working harder than those in level 1… they’re working differently.
🧠 My Takeaway (So Far)
Understanding Myron Golden’s Four Levels of Value helped me pinpoint why I’ve been stuck — and what I need to do to grow.
It’s not that I’m not capable.
It’s that I’ve been trying to work my way up with the wrong tools.
Muscle will only get me so far.
Now it’s time to lean into communication, imagination, and the skills that build value, not just output.
And that’s the work I’m committed to doing — publicly, consistently, imperfectly.
🎁 Want to Learn This With Me?
If you’re new to affiliate marketing or trying to figure out how to grow your online income like I am, I’d love to invite you to go through a Free Affiliate Marketing Course with me.
It walks through the basics — but also introduces you to some of the mindset and marketing skills that line up with these four levels of income.
🔗 Click here to get free access
Let’s learn it together — and keep leveling up.