How Wealthy Are You?

Your true wealth is not what you have.
Your true wealth is what you’re left
with when all you have is gone.

About ninety-nine percent of the people I’ve ever interviewed, maybe 100%, when asked to define “wealth,” instantly refer to some type of money and/or materialism.

It’s interesting that the word wealth has become collectively defined this way, because truth be known, this is not the original intention.

Nor is it the original definition.

You can go after the money and you might get rich
But that doesn’t mean you’ll be wealthy.

When you trace the root of the word wealth back to its origins, it literally translates as wellbeing.

Please read that again.

I’ve met and worked with countless individuals in my career who have a lot of house, a lot of money, and a lot of car; and yet they have slim to no wellbeing.

This is not true wealth.

I was coaching a man a few years back who told me in our first session, “James I want to be successful.” I responded, Okay, tell me where you’re currently successful. He quickly replied, “I’m not successful. That’s where I need your help.”

I said, Okay, I can do that, where are you successful right now? He replied (a bit frustrated now), “James you’re not listening to me! I’m not successful; and that’s why I need your help!”

How’s your health I asked. He responded, “Great, I’ve never been in better shape in my life!”

I said, how’s your relationship with your wife? He said, “It’s amazing. We’re more connected now than we’ve ever been.”

Okay I said and how’s your daughter doing. “She’s great and she just got accepted to Brown University!”



I paused for a moment to let what he’d just told me sink into his awareness.

A light bulb went on and he said, “Okay, okay, I know where you’re going with this James but that’s not what I mean!

The fact is that my neighbor down the street makes multiple 6 figures and he just got my lifelong dream car. A brand-new BMW 7 series!”

I said, how’s his health? He paused and answered slowly and much more softly, “He just had a heart attack a few months back.”

And his relationship with his wife? I continued. “They’re going through a nasty divorce right now.”

So, who’s more successful? I asked.

“Okay” he said, “I get your point.”

Who’s truly wealthier?

Long pause.

“Okay James… but I really want to achieve more in my life.”

It’s not what you acquire, it’s not what you achieve.
It’s what you leave. You’re leaving everything behind anyway,
best leave something good and great.

I answered. “You can; and I can help you. But first, I need you to realize that you become truly successful and wealthy the minute you’re grateful for what you have.”

Can You Be Grateful

He had to think long and hard about this one.

You are truly wealthy and successful
the moment that you’re grateful.

It’s an interesting fact that when you’re grateful for what you have, Life tends to send you more to be grateful for.

Funny how that works.

Be a Leader. Live Your Purpose; and Take Your Power Back!

James