Make Better Choices, Not More Money
You Will Be Happier in the Long-Run
TL;DR: People always claim that things would be different if only they had more money. Money doesn’t change things; it magnifies them. We all need to change bad habits and double down on those that are good BEFORE the money comes.
Humans are an interesting bunch.
We have quirks, neurosis, and habits that combine to make a potent mixture of occasional logic and seemingly irrational thoughts.
One of these irrational thoughts I find the most confusing is when I hear someone say:
“If only I had all the money in the world, things would be completely different.”
Oh, really? How so?
Would seeing an infinity symbol in your bank account magically erase your tendency to drink too much on the weekends?
Would an endless amount of money change the fact that you don’t take enough time to stop and think about your life in five to ten years from now?
Would an insane amount of wealth fill that hole in your broken relationship with your mother or father?
I highly doubt it. In fact, I have a hunch.
My hunch tells me that money doesn’t change things; it only magnifies them.
Are you someone who constantly seeks external validation? Do you really think money would change this tragic flaw? In my mind, it would only make it worse. More money equals more opportunities to buy the approval of others.
When you hang out with friends, do you spend your time discussing other people instead of discussing ideas? How would more money fix this nasty habit? Newsflash: it wouldn’t.
On the flip side, the same logic applies to people who practice healthy habits and who treat others with kindness and respect.
For example, do you practice empathetic listening by allowing others to speak first? A bigger bank account would give you the peace of mind needed to give even more attention to others.
Do you volunteer your time mentoring students? More money would magnify your ability to help others grow by freeing up more time.
Notice any patterns?
Money isn’t a silver bullet that magically wipes out all of your problems; it’s a tool for magnification. Much like an actual magnifying glass, money can either give you the time to see things clearer or it can allow you to harness the worst parts of yourself into a focused beam of light.
This money magnification gives you more time. What you do with it is entirely up to you.
A good place to start? Self-improvement.
I’m not referring to the bullshit you read about in countless books meant to sell you something else you don’t really need. I’m talking about making yourself a better human being little-by-little.
Each day, I try to identify my bad habits and nip them in the bud before they fester into uncontrollable, self-destructive actions. Furthermore, I do my best to double-down on those habits that promote productive and successful outcomes.
The real kicker is I work on self-improvement without a ton of disposable income. I don’t need money to practice discipline, I don’t need a nice car to develop self-love, and I sure as hell don’t need a platinum card to become a better friend.
You don’t need money to make better choices. You need it to magnify the choices you’re already making.
Do you want to travel more? You honestly don’t need as much money as you think. We may convince ourselves that money is stopping us, but in reality, we are the ones getting in our own way.
Do you want to learn a new skill? Once again, it is more affordable than you think (and can actually be free, thanks to the Internet).
I think you get the point.
Ultimately, we all use money as an excuse instead of the tool that it really is. The longer we refuse to accept this, the longer it will take to get to where we want to be.
What would you do with all of the money in the world?
Does money get in the way while accomplishing the things you want? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter at @williamfrazr.
If you found value in this article, please 👏 below and share with your friends so others can enjoy!
