Why Money Should Never Be Your End Goal

When I ask people what their end goal in life is, most people either can’t provide an answer or they bluntly blurt out “to be rich.” The sad reality is, 95% of these people do not know the trials and tribulations one must endure en route to being financially well off. Contrary to popular belief, there are no shortcuts on this path; one must work diligently to become successful.

Everybody wants to make money. It’s a necessity in today’s society, granted, but this does not mean it is the sole measuring point of the success of a life. If you pour all of your energy into your end goal of being financially well off, then your journey will not include said wealth. One must look beyond the dream of monetary wealth to fully attain it, in addition to finding deeper meaning in life.

I am not, by any stretch, suggesting that your ambitions should not include monetary wealth. On the contrary, I highly recommend they do. This does not mean that your entire focus should be on attaining it, however.

While some goals may seem very distant, nothing is unattainable in this world. Nearly everybody has the tools to succeed, yet most people become content with a life that requires less effort, or are too afraid to take the necessary risks. This mentality seldom leads to any sort of fulfilling life, as most people who settle for less live with numerous regrets.

Change the world

The people who do attain monetary wealth generally do so because they have a vision that exceeds doing so. The most successful people are those who aim to change the world. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs did not simply enter the technology world in order to become wealthy, but rather to change the lives and perceptions of the masses. You can't take the money with you when you die, so you should aim to do something greater that will cement your legacy and give your life meaning.

There have been countless millionaires and dozens of billionaires in human history, but how many can you identify? How many can you say have had a direct impact on your life? If you have an idea that will change the world, you will naturally make money, and it will be much more fulfilling than just doing so by working within the system.

Be the best at whatever you do

This is absolutely essential. Regardless of what you choose as a career path, make sure you do not ignore any aspect of knowledge that can be obtained about your respective field. Leave no room for any regrets. If you truly give your best effort in whatever you do, you can hold your head high at the end of the day, no matter what level of monetary success you attain.

This mentality and work ethic are the things that you want to pass down to your children, much more valuable than a trust fund. If you instill the ideals of working hard to your children, they will follow in your footsteps and be great. How often do we see trust fund babies blow through daddy’s fortune without working a day in their lives? I would much rather see my children live a comfortable life and be self-made than just rely on whatever monetary support I provide for them.

Philanthropy

This is what is most important. Without it, monetary wealth is meaningless. If your goals don’t consist of helping those who are less fortunate, then you will never truly feel fulfilled. While it is great to receive, nothing beats being able to give.

Imagine providing people with clean drinking water for the first time in their lives, or building a school in a war-torn country. These are ways you can directly impact the lives of those who are less fortunate than yourself, something much more satisfying than spending tens of thousands of dollars on bottles of champagne at a club.

Monetary wealth is absolutely attainable in this world, but having it as your main goal can distract you and keep you from doing something even greater. If you look beyond becoming wealthy, then it will simply become a part of your journey. Always aim to do something greater than you anticipate doing; this keeps you motivated.

You can have all of the material things in the world, but they can only bring you so much satisfaction. Aim to change the world. Be great. Enrich people’s lives. This is how you truly become enlightened and happy.

Robert Gordon | Elite.