Being rich is what everybody wants, but only some will achieve it. Many work hard throughout life to pursue wealth but fail miserably.
Do you want to become rich?
Well, of course, you do.
I will give you the best advice I received recently about becoming wealthy.
Most writers or Youtubers sell you the idea of obtaining massive wealth by building multiple income streams or starting an online business.
But that’s not what I’m about to do.
This piece of advice made me re-think wealth and riches.
Here is it: You can become rich by wanting less.
Before you stop reading further, let me explain.
When I heard this advice for the first time in a Youtube video, I thought it was a joke.
But as I began to think about it deeply, it started making sense.
Why do we want to become rich?
- To become financially free.
- To travel the world.
- To own expensive stuff.
- To buy a house.
- To impress others.
- The list of wants goes on and on.
It’s never enough.
If a rich person sees a $100 bill on the floor, what do you think he will do? He’s going to pick it up for sure. It doesn’t matter if he makes $10 million a year.
Human desires are limitless. We always want more.
It’s not a bad thing to want more. But, if you feel miserable and have to sacrifice your life, is it really worth it?
What if you let go of wanting all these things in life? What if you feel enough with what you have?
You are happy with your income. You don’t want fancy cars and houses. You enjoy the small things in life that make you happy and fulfilled.
Think about it for a second.
Unless you are broke and live on the streets, you can enjoy and be happy with what you have now.
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” — Seneca
Stop wanting more, and you will be rich. Maybe you won’t be considered “rich” by the outside world. But that should not matter to you.
You are rich if you feel rich with what you have. You can have little money in the bank and still be rich if you don’t want more stuff.
If you want to become rich, figure out “why.” Most of the time, it’s because you want a bunch of things.
All this sounds easier to say, but I know these are impractical for most. Money is the basic need for survival today.
We all want more money. There is no doubt about it.
Even while typing these words, I’m feeling resistance. I don’t feel genuine giving this advice because it’s harder for even myself to want less.
But knowing this has made me re-think my desires. Whenever I want to buy something (even if it’s a small thing that costs $5, for example), I ask myself, “Do I really need this?” Surprisingly, the answer is “no” most of the time.
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” — Epictetus
Be grateful and satisfied with what you have now, and you will be rich.
Massive wealth might make your life easier, but that doesn’t guarantee you will be happy and satisfied.
Ancient teachings say that you can become happy by focusing on what you have rather than what you don’t have. In other words, craving is the source of unhappiness (or suffering).
Live simple. Do what you love every day and be happy with what you have.
If you can do that, congratulations, you are rich.
