What’s Wealth to You?
A question I've been chewing on for a while, particularly through my work as a post-traumatic growth guide for first responders, has resurfaced again after hearing a fantastic podcast that delves into this topic: What’s True Wealth to You?When we think about wealth, what comes to mind? For many—especially private lenders—the answer is often just money. But is that really the only way to measure wealth? As I reflect on my experiences and the insights I've gathered, I urge you to consider a broader definition of wealth. Let’s explore five types of wealth that go beyond financial metrics:
Five Types of Wealth
Time Wealth: The freedom to spend time on what truly matters to you. This could mean being present for family moments, pursuing hobbies, or simply enjoying downtime.
Relational Wealth: Building meaningful connections with others. This wealth is about the quality of your relationships, not the quantity. It’s the friends who lift you up, the family who supports you, and the community that inspires you.
Mental Wealth: Maintaining a clear and resilient mind. Mental well-being allows you to navigate life’s challenges with grace and creativity, fostering a capacity for growth and learning.
Health Wealth: Having a strong body to support your goals. Physical health is foundational; it affects how we feel, how we perform, and how we engage with the world around us.
Purpose Wealth: Living a life filled with meaning and service. This type of wealth is about aligning your actions with your values and contributing to something greater than yourself.
A Personal Wake-Up Call
One of the most influential moments in my journey of aligning my priorities occurred when I became a victim of fraud. I lost $230,000—sums I had worked tirelessly for and invested with a skewed understanding of my goals. My initial focus on creating passive income without aligning my ambitions with impact, purpose, or meaning was a harsh wake-up call when I lost it all.I don’t want to fall into the trap of "coulda, shoulda, woulda," but it’s clear: had I been focused on the right things—on what truly mattered—there would have been no way to lose in whatever the outcome. This experience taught me that wealth is not just about financial gain; it’s about building a life rooted in values and clarity.In today’s world, where economic insecurity, inflation, and job instability dominate the headlines, it’s easy to get caught up in the relentless chase for financial security. The pressure to perform, to grow, to “hustle harder” is everywhere. But here’s the thing: the harder we chase money, the more we risk losing sight of what we’re really working for.
The Disconnect: Goals vs. Values
One pattern I’ve seen repeatedly across various populations—whether working with first responders or private lenders—is the tendency to claim they are doing what they do to ‘help others’ or for ‘their family.’ Yet, when you probe deeper and ask about their goals, many focus on vanity metrics like striving for $10,000 in passive income each month. They often overlook measuring how they are improving as parents, spouses, friends, or how many people they are genuinely helping.This disconnect between professed intentions and actual goals often leads to feelings of emptiness or burnout. The reality is that focusing solely on financial gain can obscure the more meaningful aspects of life and wealth.
Aligning Actions with Values: The Investor Passport
In my work, I use my Investor Passport service to help clients align their business activities with their values. Through a series of goal and purpose-defining questions, we uncover what truly matters to each individual. This process encourages reflection and allows clients to assess whether their daily actions align with their deeper values and aspirations.If you’re interested in exploring this process for yourself, I highly recommend checking out resources from Brene Brown. She offers valuable insights on identifying and operationalizing your values, which can serve as a guide for your journey.
Understanding Your “Why”
Understanding the “why” behind your work is crucial and hopefully my story helps illustrate that. It ensures that your decisions reflect the life you want to build. As I navigate my own path, I continually allow my goals and values to evolve, enhancing my clarity and specificity. This ongoing reflection helps me stay aligned with what truly matters.
Call to Redefine Your Wealth
So, what’s the solution? It starts with redefining what wealth means to you. Here are some questions to reflect on:
Are you spending your time on what truly matters?
Are you nurturing the relationships that bring you joy?
Are you taking care of your mental and physical health?
Are you living a life (and designing your business) aligned with your values?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it may be time to make a change.
Next Steps
Listen to a podcast, engage in a service like the investor passport or cliftonstrengths assessment, conduct a DIY assessment with Brene Brown’s resources, or catch a webinar in which I walk other investors through them.
👉 Listen to the podcast episode here
👉 Check out the Investor Passport service here
👉 Explore Brene Brown's free resources here
👉 Catch a replay of my values webinar here
