It’s Not All About the Money

Posted by Tony

November 21, 2007

When thinking about success, sometimes we focus on the money. The more money, and the more financial freedom we have, the more successful we are, right? Well, not necessarily.

Financial freedom is just one aspect of success. Financial freedom allows you to choose your own schedule and your own lifestyle. You have the money to be able to pursue any hobby or interest you have. Your spouse can pursue their interests and your kids can take whatever classes they want. You can go on vacations, buy new cars and have an expensive house. You can go to expensive restaurants and spend time with your expensive friends, doing expensive things.

Financial freedom gives you the freedom to take charge of your own life and your own financial destiny. You can make decisions to do things that most people only dream of.

But financial freedom is only one aspect of success.

There are many people in the world who have a great degree of financial success, but their personal lives are falling apart. We are all familiar with people in the public eye and in the gossip magazines who fit into this category. I would bet that despite all of the financial freedom they have, they don’t feel very successful when they are having problems in their marriages, with their children, or are fighting their own personal demons.

It’s important to keep your entire life in focus when pursuing success. We can’t become so focused on pursuing financial freedom that we lose sight of our happiness, the well-being of our family or our own personal integrity. If we spend all of our time chasing the next dollar, the other aspects of our lives will pass us by.

So let’s examine the other aspects of building a successful life.

If you’re single, are you actively involved in the things you are passionate about? Do you take time just to relax and enjoy yourself? Do you give back by contributing your time, money or talents to causes that you believe in? Do you spend time with people that you truly like and respect?

If you are married or in a serious relationship, do you make a point to show interest in your partner’s hobbies and passions? Do you encourage your partner to pursue their own path in life? Do you take part in each other’s interests?

If you have children, do you spend time with each of them individually as well as all together? Do you know what your kids are interested in this week? Do your kids tell you about the latest gossip at school, or their latest video game conquests? Do you encourage your kids to pursue their interests and hobbies, fleeting as they may be?

We all need to remember that even though we are pursuing financial freedom in order to have the best life possible for ourselves and our families, the truly important things don’t cost anything but your time and attention. The best legacy of success you can leave for your family is one that includes memories of time together as well as financial freedom .

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