Are You Truly “Wealthy”?

byAJTrimble1

9.1K followers

5 years ago

“It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” – George Lorimer

Given the fact that the idea of wealthy is literally in our name, Wealthy Affiliate, I thought it appropriate to discuss the concept of wealth. Many people equate wealth with money. Which makes sense, I suppose, as that is most likely what brought us all here in the first place.

What most people don’t realize, however, is that there are actually many more types of wealth that you can (and most definitely should) pursue. Indeed, it is almost impossible to attain financial wealth without at least some development in these other areas.

The 5 Forms of Wealth

Spiritual Wealth

When I use the term “spiritual” I am not referring to religion, although that could certainly be a part of it. What I really mean is your feeling of purpose. What is the “why” that drives you to be who you are?

It’s about the sum of your beliefs and your values. Without a strong sense of resolution about why you are here, you tend to just float around and accept whatever comes your way, which is often not a lot.

Social Wealth

Social wealth is, of course, the wealth you accumulate from being a part of a community (like Wealthy Affiliate, perhaps?) It is the idea that people like and, more importantly, trust you. Social wealth is about creating and maintaining quality relationships. It is about love, friendship, and connection.

Personal Wealth

Note that I am not using the term “personal wealth” in the way most people do in that it does not refer to how much money you have (that comes later.) Personal wealth is the motivation, skill, and intelligence you develop as you progress through life. It is the continual pursuit of personal development, either through education such as in school, books, and courses, or just plain good old-fashioned experience.

Creative Wealth

Creativity is a funny thing. When some people hear the word creativity, they think of an artist such as a painter or fiction writer. But the definition of creativity is simply your ability to bring something to the world that didn’t exist before. As such, creativity covers anything that, well, you create or innovate, be that a new product, service, website… whatever. This form of weath is all about expression.

Financial Wealth

Now we finally get to the meat and potatoes of what most think of as wealth. But note that all of these forms of wealth are interrelated. For example, it is unlikely that you will have strong social wealth if you lack spiritual wealth. And without strong personal and creative wealth, it is much harder to achieve financial wealth. In fact, I would argue that you must have the first four in place before you can achieve the true level of financial wealth that you are capable of and deserve.

In the End

“They say money can’t buy happiness. But it can buy you a jet-ski… and I’ve never seen anyone frown on a jet-ski.” – Danial Tosh

One thing to keep in mind about all of these forms of wealth is that that there is no end. I have been so poor I was literally homeless. And I have also made well over six-figures in a year.

And here’s the truth… there were times that I was happy when I was broke and there were times that I was miserable when I was considered “rich” financially.

The difference was that I understood that money wasn’t the only form of wealth in the world. You can be in a situation where you don’t have two nickels to rub together and yet still be so happy that you’re in danger of being locked up in a mental instutution.

But you can also have more than that you can spend in two lifetimes and be addicted to alcohol or drugs, or even suicidal, because your life is so “empty” – in other words, you lack the other four forms of wealth.

So, while we’re all here to ultimately make money, please don’t forget that the “wealthy” in Wealthy Affiliate covers so much more. Don’t just strive to be rich… strive to be wealthy.