When we think about wealth, we invariably think about money. That’s how we’ve been conditioned. Society tends to view financial success as the pinnacle of human achievement. But we all need reminding that financial security is just one aspect of wealth, and a new book by the best-selling author Robin Sharma does just that.

In The Wealth Money Can’t Buy, Sharma urges us to put financial wealth in its proper place. There’s nothing wrong with wanting financial security, he explains; indeed, it’s a necessity. But focusing too heavily on money is likely to make us less happy, not more.

The key, Sharma says, is to understand the true role of money in our lives. Financial wealth, he says, is not an end in itself, but simply a means to make life richer. Essentially, it provides freedom and choice for you and your loved ones.

The problem is that, however much money we have, we often want more. We don’t need to give up on our financial goals, the author argues; we just need to use money wisely and have a healthier relationship with it. That means using money to support our values and enhance our personal wellbeing, and recognising when we have enough of it. So take some time, ideally with the help of a financial planner, to define what “enough” looks like. Once you’re content with what you already have, there’s no point in risking your happiness by constantly striving for more.

That’s why we should all learn to appreciate what we have. This includes being grateful, not just for the essentials — food and shelter, for example — but also for the friendship, love and support of those around us.

Crucially, Sharma says, we should spend our money in an intentional way, to increase our joy and sense of purpose. It’s far better to spend it on time and experiences with loved ones (holidays, for example) and supporting charitable causes that are important to us, than on material items we don’t really need.

So, once we’ve identified our “enough” and stopped accumulating financial wealth for the sake of it, what should we focus our time and energy on instead? Well, in his book, Robin Sharma suggests seven ways we can build wealth that have nothing to do with money. Here they are.

 

1. Commit to your personal growth

“Humans are happiest and genuinely wealthiest,” writes Sharma, “when we are steadily realising our personal gifts and primal talents. The regular pursuit of personal growth is one of your most valuable assets.”

Focus, then, on self mastery, and commit to a daily practice of personal development. Try spending a few minutes each morning in self-reflection — perhaps writing in a journal, meditating or simply setting intentions for the day ahead. Try to read more books and listen to more podcasts that challenge you to learn and grow.

 

2. Optimise your all-round health

Imagine a billionaire with a terminal illness. They would probably swap their entire fortune for a chance at health. What’s the point of having an abundance of money if you’re not going to live to enjoy it?

Sharma writes: “Peak mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual vitality and living a long life filled with energy, wellness and joyfulness are mission-essential to you being honestly rich.”

So resolve to eat more healthily, take more exercise, improve your sleep and get better at handling stress.

 

3. Nourish your social connections

It’s a scientific fact, Sharma says, that “a human being’s thinking, feeling, behaving and producing are profoundly influenced by their associations, conversation and mentors.”

Surrounding yourself with kind and inspiring people who believe in you boosts your sense of purpose and resilience. It opens doors to new ideas and possibilities. It also gives you access to knowledge, resources and support that can help you overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

So fill your circle with great people. Try forming a “mastermind alliance” — say, three or four people who regularly meet to share progress, encourage each other and seek solutions together.

 

4. Focus on family and friends

“Having all the money and material success in the world is worthless if you are all alone,” the author writes. “So enrich the connections with the ones you love. And fill your life with fantastic friends who upgrade your happiness.”

Really appreciate those you love and who love you back unconditionally. Spend more time with them, and show them that you care about their happiness.

Robin Sharma refers in the book, for instance, to what he calls Loved Ones’ Eyeballs Law. It means taking a genuine interest in what’s important to them, and why it excites them, even if it doesn’t resonate with you.

 

5. Find purpose in your work

Another way to build wealth is to find a greater sense of purpose in the work you do. Your job should provide you with far more than a salary, says Sharma. You should see your work, he writes, as “a noble pursuit and an opportunity not only to make more of your genius real, but also to make our world a better place.”

One way to find purpose in work, he suggests, is, instead of a To Do list, to create a Stop Doing list. So, for example, stop comparing your life to other people’s lives on social media, or stop saying Yes to every invitation for fear of missing out.

Eliminating such distractions can help you to focus on mastering your craft and to find deeper satisfaction in your work.

 

6. Prioritise adventure and exploration

“What creates vast joy,” writes Sharma, “is not material goods but magical moments doing things that flood us with feelings of gratefulness, wonder and awe. Enrich your days with these and your life will rise into a whole new universe of inspiration.”

One suggestion he makes is to take a digital sabbatical and open yourself up to real-life adventures. Taking a break, say, one day every week, from your phone and the internet allows you to reconnect with the world around you, explore new places and activities, or simply enjoy the present moment with family and friends.

 

7. Improve the lives of others

Finally, the author recommends that we focus on improving other people’s lives, and not just our own.

“The main aim of a life richly lived,” he says, “is to make the lives of others better. As you lose yourself in a cause that is bigger than you, you will not only find your greatest self but will illuminate the world in the process. And discover treasures far beyond the limits of cash, possessions and public status.”

A “kindness always” approach, Sharma, says, can transform your interactions and enrich your life in profound ways. Small acts of kindness — helping neighbours, or smiling at strangers, for example — helps to create a ripple effect that benefits everyone, you included.

 

Do you have enough money already?

The Wealth Money Can’t Buy is a book that could genuinely change your life. Robin Sharma is right: financial security is just one aspect of what it means to be wealthy. The realisation that you already have enough money to live the life you want to lead is hugely liberating because it frees you up to focus on all the other aspects which are just as important, if not more so.

Do you really want to carry on working as hard as you do to earn more money? It might be time to ease off and create a better work-life balance for yourself, or perhaps do lower paid work that’s actually more rewarding.

Who knows? You may already be in a sufficiently comfortable position financially to finish work now and pursue your dreams?

So why not get in touch and book a consultation with a financial planner so we can explore your options carefully? Life’s too short not to be doing what you really want to do.

 

The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma is published by Penguin.

 

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