Stop Working For Money

Rich Dad Poor Dad was one of the first books I read about money. Robert Kiyosaki wrote that the rich don’t work for money; money works for them.

The book delves into the mindset of the wealthy, who focus on building businesses and investing rather than getting a job or being self-employed.

Most of you know the basics of wealth building, but some still struggle with this concept.

After all:

A job gives us a paycheck.
Customers give us money for goods and services.

But if you focus solely on money, you are missing the point.

What I learned from the book is overly focusing on money is the wrong approach to being financially stable and ultimately independent.

When I moved back to Philadelphia, I decided to get a job wherever I got hired. So the first place I ended up was at a TGI Fridays, where I was a waiter for two weeks. Until I walked out and never looked back. (I’m not proud of that, by the way)

One of my coworkers was adamant about her tips and complained when she got what was, in her eyes, an inadequate gratuity. This woman had an unpleasant attitude and didn’t do a great job either. It was easy to see why she wasn’t earning well.

Contrast that with a waitress from where I grew up in Virginia. My family and I would always go to IHOP on the weekends (back when it was good), and we asked for this particular waitress; she never forgot an order, our food was always good, and the experiences were always top-notch. She was a single mother and working through nursing school, and from gleaning from our conversations with her, she lived pretty well. I promise you she never had to worry about her tips.

One person focused on money; the other focused on service. The second never had to worry about money.

Finance comes from the middle English fynaunce, which means ending or outcome. The money is the outcome or the end of any transaction.

Working for money is bypassing the more essential parts of your development. What should you work for, then?

1. Wisdom is the most important thing you should get out of your work. What you learn today, you will get paid for tomorrow. Knowledge is not wisdom. Adding action turns it into wisdom.
2. Reputation — we call this social proof; the Bible says that a good name is better than great riches. If more people cared about their reputation, their work would reflect it.
3. Enjoyment — Work should be fun; I know that’s frowned upon, especially in the West, but do everything you can to move towards what you would enjoy doing if you aren’t enjoying your work. People who love their work, usually outperform those that don’t.
4. Fulfillment — Few things are more satisfying than a job well done. In our work, there should be a level of fulfillment. If you aren’t experiencing work satisfaction, that is a clear sign you need a change.

If you focus on these four things before money, financial compensation will take care of itself.