We live in a world that measures nearly everything by money—whether we like it or not. This reality often fuels an obsession with wealth: How much am I earning every month? How much more does someone else have? How much money do I need to buy everything I want?
Our society, like many others, is far from perfect. Even in so-called “first-world” countries, luck often plays a significant role in the distribution of wealth. Meritocracy is an ideal, not always the rule. In many parts of the world, including ours, the situation is even worse: it’s not just about luck. Your proximity to power often determines how much money you make. As a result, many of us lose faith in hard work. We become confused about money—unsure what the right approach is—and might even find ourselves making decisions that go against our values just to chase financial stability.
The Endless Hustle: Is It Worth It?
Take, for example, a software developer. They work six to eight hours a day for a fixed salary. Now imagine they decide to pick up freelance projects in the afternoons, leveraging their skills to quadruple their income. Let’s say this means working 14-hour days to make $10,000 a month. Tempting, right? But the real question is: Is this the life they want? Just money?
The True Value of Money: How Is It Created?
In a healthy economic system, your paycheck reflects the value you create. For example, if your boss pays you $3,000 a month, your work likely generates about $100,000 in value for the company annually—directly or indirectly. This concept, known as “value creation,” is the backbone of sustainable wealth. A startup founder who makes $1 million a year probably created a business that generates $100 million or more in revenue. That’s the value they bring to the table.
But here’s where things go off track: instead of focusing on value creation, many of us focus solely on money—how to earn more, faster.
Why Money Without Value Is a Trap
When we focus on money over value, two major problems arise:
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Losing Our Way: In a system rife with shortcuts and loopholes, the temptation to take unethical routes can be strong. When we prioritize wealth above all else, we might inadvertently harm society through our actions.
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Undermining Long-Term Success: Obsessing over money blinds us to the value we create. Ironically, this often leads to earning less in the long run because true wealth stems from consistent, meaningful contributions—not quick cash grabs.
Rethinking Our Relationship with Money
Instead of letting money dictate our lives, we need to think more deeply about its role. Money is a tool, not the goal. By focusing on creating value—whether for your company, community, or yourself—you’ll find not only greater financial rewards but also a more fulfilling life.
Let’s not sacrifice everything for the pursuit of money. Instead, let’s aim to live in a way where money serves us, not the other way around.