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Home » Why Money Determines Your Financial Worth… NOT Your Self-Worth

Why Money Determines Your Financial Worth… NOT Your Self-Worth

Reading Time: 5 minutes

April 17, 2018 By T. Harv Eker 12 Comments

“When I have enough money, I’ll be happy.”

How many times have you thought this or something like it? Well, I hate to tell you, but it’s just not true.

In the Western world, we tend to focus on money as a source of happiness. But what is money? It’s paper. It’s metal coins. These things have no more power to make us happy than if someone gave us a rock.

Not everyone thinks money will bring happiness. Some people think it’ll bring freedom, control, or something else. These are all meanings people give to money. And if we believe them, but don’t have money, then what? We can’t be happy, we’re constricted, or we have no control over our lives.

It’s not about the money itself, it’s about the meaning behind the money.

The fact that money means different things to different people is proof that beliefs around money are just beliefs — NOT the truth.

Figuring out your “money meaning” is the first step towards reclaiming your true power. That is what will ultimately lead to greater wealth and success.

Money means different things to different people. Figuring out your “money meaning” is the first step towards reclaiming your true power.

Now, I have a quick exercise to help you get started on this…

Please grab a paper and a pen and write down your answers to these questions:

  • What does money mean to you?
  • Who are you and how do you feel when you have money?
  • Who are you and how do you feel when you don’t have money?

Done? Great! Now let’s talk about some of the answers this may have brought up.

As I’ve already said, people often relate money to happiness, control, or freedom. They may also relate it to security, success, fun, respect, or power.

So when they have money, they may feel happy, successful, secure, powerful, and so on. They’d go on to define themselves as a smart person, an expert in their field, a role model, etc.

On the flip side, when they don’t have money, they may feel unhappy, weak, insecure, and more. They may see themselves as a failure, a let down, insignificant, or someone who isn’t good enough for, well, anything.

This is giving money WAY too much credit! Paper and metal should not define who a person is.

See, there are plenty of rich people who aren’t happy. Money doesn’t buy loving relationships, bring good health, or magically heal self-doubt. It also doesn’t offer control over things like natural disasters, traffic, or the economy, and it isn’t required for freedom, either.

Regardless of how much money we have, our ability to choose our thoughts, words, and actions remain. So does the essence of who we are: our personality, our unique talents and perspectives, and our innate intelligence.

The fact is, who you are deep down doesn’t change regardless of how much is in your bank account.

Who you are deep down doesn’t change regardless of how much is in your bank account.

So where do all these “money meanings” come from?

Our beliefs around money come from influencers such as our parents, teachers, friends, our community, the media, etc…. Basically from people we’re surrounded by who constantly tell us money is the cure for everything, and that people with money are better than those without it, and people without it don’t matter.

This all leads to shame, lack of confidence, and the biggie: fear.

When we give money meaning, our fear isn’t about losing money, it’s about losing whatever that money means, such as happiness, respect, security, or success.

Please keep in mind that I’m not discounting the importance of money — we obviously need it to pay for food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities. What I’m saying is that while money determines our financial worth, it shouldn’t determine our self-worth. We need to separate our money from our value as human beings.

This starts with knowing who we are regardless of our financial situation.

So I’m going to ask you to do another quick exercise…

Please grab your paper and pen again and take a few minutes to do the following:

  • Describe who you are without letting money play a factor in your description. Get down to the core of yourself. Are you smart? Funny? Sensitive? A terrible speller? A survivor? Write it all down.
  • Compare and contrast this to your answers in the first exercise. Writing down any observations or thoughts that pop into your head as you look everything over.

My hunch is that this exercise feels a lot different than the first one. Why? Because the truth always feels better. Truth also removes the meaning, and therefore the power, from money. Where does that power go instead? Directly to you.

In the end, money is just something people give you for solving their problem.

That’s it. And that’s why the best advice I can give you is to separate money from the fear-based meaning you give it.

You do this by focusing on helping people — on what problem you’ll solve and how you’ll solve it. Not only has this approach made me a multi-millionaire, it’s helped thousands and thousands of my students become extremely successful.

This really is a life-changing concept, and I’d love to know what you learned about yourself and your money beliefs. Please let me know using the comments section below!

As I’ve said, the meaning we give money comes from a place of fear. But we all have plenty of other fear-based thoughts that hold us back, too. It’s just part of being human.

I’ve done a ton of research into why this is, and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve also figured out a very simple sentence that can help you move past all that fear and into a place filled with wealth and success.

Want to learn more? Then join my FREE web class to start changing your life almost instantly. It’s called,
“Don’t Believe A Thought You Think,”

This is a really powerful class, and I’ve set up multiple dates and times, so you can just go here and pick the time and date that works best for you.

dont-believe-a-thought-you-think-web-class-harv-eker

 

I look forward to having you there as my special guest!

For Your Freedom,

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Mindset, Personal Development Tagged With: confidence, mindset, money

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Comments

  1. Edino says

    April 17, 2018 at 10:42 am

    Hola, muy beuna lección maestro, muchísimas gracias por todo esto. Es lo que el mundo debería aprender y dialogar y enfocarse en lo mas importante en la vida que son las personas y condenar los malos actos. Esta es la clase de blogs que estaba esperando, claro y directo y encima con ejercicios mentales. Respecto a la clase webinar, como comprenderas aún me falta aprender inglés. Gracias.

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    April 17, 2018 at 11:15 am

    I love it! 🙂 I especially love the pictures with wads of cash!! haha!
    Yes, the second exercise felt better.

    Money is something people give you for solving their problems.

    !!
    sending best wishes to you all
    Jessica

    Reply
  3. Andres says

    April 17, 2018 at 11:34 am

    Muy buen ejercicio, como todo lo que comentas en tú que hacer diario,
    Te felicito por haber tomar esa decisión de ayudar a las personas.
    Ando todavía bajo en mi nivel de ingles, Me gustaría presenciar el seminario, voy a seguir trabajando en el estudio del ingles y sin duda mas adelante estaré contigo. Gracia.

    Reply
  4. Steve Boust says

    April 17, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    I agree that the second exercise felt 10 times better! Separating who we are from the beliefs that we attached to money is critically important if we expect to maintain a healthy self-image and self-esteem, Thanks for reminding me of this reality!

    Reply
  5. Drenkà says

    April 18, 2018 at 3:53 pm

    Dear Harv I love to listen you…and I apriciate your generosity…So I discovered thàt my money blocks are not even my.. my BeLie-fs belongs to temporary money situtation of my parents in my young age..I notice once when I was stuck in money task like today..there is huge diference…in past I used to feel not worthly,sad,,not tàking càre of my body..but today I just know it is just momentum thàt wull pass and I feel like I hàve more money. then I need, ..I àm tellingg to my self….I hàve àll mney..but now I hàve certàin priorities, not thàt I do not want your clàss becouse I càn not afford it., but I hàve ànother tàsk to àchive now…I wish to know you personàly…Hope you come to Venice…Drenka

    Reply
  6. Anisa says

    April 30, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    Money is just a means to get or buy our necessities.
    Very true that Money never determines who we are. How it could even. If we feel that money determines what we are from within then sorry but wr have not met our real self.
    A very simple but eye opening article.

    Reply
  7. Anita Van Veenendaal says

    May 1, 2018 at 11:27 pm

    Money is made to go around so everybody
    Prospers!!! “We are all connected we are not the Wave but the Ocean” Look after Yourself
    Be kind Care for others be in the flow the
    Right Teachers present themselves
    Thank you T Harv Eker!!!❤️?????

    Reply
  8. EDILVER DIAZ says

    May 4, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    ESTO ME ESTA SIRVIENDO DE MUCHO, ES GENIAL HABERME ENCONTRADO CON ESTO LLEGO A MI VIDA EN EL MOMENTO INDICADO ,

    Reply
  9. Antoinette says

    May 6, 2018 at 1:37 am

    After the 2nd exercise I realized that I have been basing my value on the amount of money I have.

    My value doesn’t increase or decrease because of money.

    I am important and I have important things to do regardless.

    Money is a tool to help me do what I was sent here to do!

    Reply
  10. Melia Bauto Ragiagia says

    June 27, 2019 at 3:59 pm

    My views for money has changed and I use to think that without money I can’t move forward.but you have given me a good advice for as human beings money does not determine our self worth.?thank you Harveker

    Reply
  11. Walker James says

    October 30, 2019 at 12:09 am

    Loved this, I have read the secret of the millionaire mind a handful of times and I love it but, your tweets and free webinars are great! I just wish I could go through them more than once.

    Reply
  12. Farabe says

    August 16, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    All my life i had been thinking that i will have family only when i will have enough money. And you know, it was never enough for me. And when i become 40 years old i understood that i am not happy with all my money i have. I am not saying that i am millionaire, but i live good. So this is to young guys – ONLY MONEY WILL NOT MAKE YOU HAPPY!!!!!

    Reply

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