Money has always been a powerful motivator in my life. Early in my career, I wanted to be rich primarily for my mom’s sake. I thought wealth would bring happiness and fulfillment. But as I began accumulating substantial wealth, something unexpected happened – I lost my way.
The truth is, I was chasing money for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to look cool. I wanted people to think I was rich. I kept moving the goalposts, telling myself, “I’ll be happy when I make $1 million” and then “$100 million.” That mindset completely failed me.
The Hollow Pursuit of Wealth
When we chase money purely for the sake of having it, we enter a never-ending cycle of wanting more. I’ve experienced this firsthand. No matter how much I accumulated, it was never enough. The temporary high of reaching a financial milestone quickly faded, leaving me searching for the next target.
Money itself isn’t the problem – it’s making money the ultimate goal that creates emptiness. I discovered this the hard way after achieving financial success but still feeling unfulfilled.
Redefining Success Through Purpose
Today, my mission has completely transformed. I’ve realized that true fulfillment comes from having a purpose greater than myself. My new goal is two-fold and interconnected:
- To empower over a billion people to be happy
- To make over a billion dollars from making those billion people happy
This isn’t just about setting bigger numbers. It’s about fundamentally changing the reason behind my pursuit of success. Now, it’s for the sake of changing the world.
Everything else doesn’t really matter.
This simple statement has become my guiding principle. When I focus on what truly matters – creating happiness and positive change – everything else falls into perspective.
Aligning Wealth Creation With Impact
I believe we can build tremendous wealth while simultaneously creating massive positive impact. These goals aren’t contradictory – they’re complementary. By focusing first on empowering others to find happiness, the financial rewards follow naturally.
My approach now centers on value creation rather than wealth accumulation. I ask myself daily: “How can I help more people? How can I create more happiness?” When I focus on these questions, the path to both impact and financial success becomes clearer.
The Freedom of Purpose-Driven Success
There’s incredible freedom in pursuing success with clear purpose. I no longer chase validation from others or temporary status symbols. I’m not concerned with looking rich or impressing anyone.
Instead, I measure my success by:
- The number of people I’ve positively impacted
- The depth of that impact on their happiness
- The sustainability of my business model to continue creating impact
This shift in perspective has transformed not just my business approach but my entire life. I wake up energized by possibility rather than driven by insecurity.
The Billion-Person Challenge
Setting a goal to impact a billion people might seem audacious. It is. But thinking small won’t create the change our world desperately needs. By aiming to make a billion people happy, I’ve given myself a north star that guides every business decision, every partnership, and every piece of content I create.
The financial component – making a billion dollars – ensures that this mission is sustainable and scalable. It allows me to reinvest in reaching more people and creating more significant impact.
I’ve learned that money is most valuable when it serves a purpose beyond itself. For me, that purpose is changing the world through creating happiness and opportunity for others.
If you’re chasing wealth without a deeper purpose, I encourage you to reconsider. Ask yourself what truly matters to you. What impact do you want to have? When you align your financial goals with meaningful purpose, you’ll find the fulfillment that money alone can never provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did your perspective on wealth change throughout your career?
Initially, I pursued wealth for my mother and for status – wanting others to see me as successful. Over time, I realized this approach left me unfulfilled despite financial achievements. My perspective evolved to see money as a tool for creating positive change rather than as the end goal itself.
Q: What do you mean by making “a billion people happy”?
My goal is to positively impact the lives of over a billion people by empowering them to find happiness through my content, coaching, business ventures, and philanthropic efforts. This means creating value that genuinely improves people’s wellbeing, opportunities, and outlook on life.
Q: Is it really possible to make a billion dollars while focusing on making others happy?
Absolutely. The most sustainable business models create genuine value for others. By focusing first on creating happiness and positive impact for a massive number of people, the financial returns can follow naturally. Many of the world’s most successful companies have built their wealth by solving problems and improving lives.
Q: How do you measure your progress toward these ambitious goals?
I track both quantitative metrics (reach, engagement, revenue) and qualitative feedback that indicates real impact on people’s happiness and wellbeing. Success isn’t just about numbers but about the depth and sustainability of the positive change I’m creating in people’s lives.
Q: What advice would you give someone who feels trapped in pursuing money for the wrong reasons?
Take time to identify what truly matters to you beyond material wealth. Ask yourself what impact you want to have and how your skills can serve others. When you align your financial pursuits with meaningful purpose, you’ll find greater fulfillment and often greater success. Start by helping just one person, then ten, then a hundred – the momentum builds from there.