longer.blue

Nearly 4 in 10 Americans believe most rich people became wealthy by taking advantage of others. And then people wonder why they struggle to make money. How can you pursue wealth with total conviction when part of you believes becoming wealthy would make you greedy, exploitative, or immoral? You will consciously say, “I want financial freedom,” while subconsciously sabotaging every opportunity that could create it. You will hesitate to sell. You will feel guilty charging what you are worth. You will shrink when it is time to negotiate. You will avoid taking risks because success might separate you from the people around you. You will criticize wealthy people so you can feel morally superior to the life you are afraid to build. Money is not evil. Money is power—and your character determines how you use it. In destructive hands, money can cause destruction. In good hands, it can build companies, create jobs, support families, fund innovation, reward excellence, and transform lives. Wanting millions does not make you immoral. Lying, exploiting people, and abandoning your values to obtain those millions would be immoral. There is an enormous difference. If you want to become wealthy, examine every belief you hold about wealthy people. Because you will never pursue with your whole heart what you secretly condemn in someone else.