Why Become Rich? An Entrepreneurs Query


Most people (whether consciously or not) become entrepreneur’s to make money and to ‘get rich’. People can work a lifetime in the pursuit of money and even when they get great quantities of it they don’t seem to be satiated.

Often we call this ‘greed’, but many times it’s not. Instead it’s simply because the person lost focus on what they really wanted in life… money was supposed to just be their means, but instead it became their end. A great book on this is Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning which is written by a holocaust survivor and provides brilliant insights into the true ‘meaning’ of life.

If you are reading this right now and think “Boy, I’d love to be rich” that’s fine. I’d love to be rich, to fly and to travel the world… I guarantee you two of those will happen in my lifetime (and hopefully the third!). The point is 99% of the people I know would love to be rich as well.

But there is one big difference between those who “want to be rich” and those who are or who will be. First is that I actually work hard every day in the pursuit of my goals, one of which is wealth. The second is that I know once I am rich what I am going to do next. Getting rich is like a fill up station on my way to Disneyland, it helps me get there but it isn’t the destination.

Instead of focusing on getting rich, try focusing on the whenever, wherever, whatever rule. This is something I learned from an amazing book called How to be Rich & Happy. The rule pretty much lays out that the real reason behind wanting to get rich, which is to be able to do: whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. Below is a video explaining the concept and how it can have a seismic effect on your life.


I resonate with this strongly and am working towards it diligently. I encourage you to do the same! It’s so freeing to think “screw money I only want to be able to do whatever I want, whenever I want!”. Money seems to be drawn to persistent action mixed with the ‘whatever, whenever, wherever’ state of mind like a magnet to a refrigerator.

So be sure to ask yourself daily, why should I become rich? Write your answers down and post them somewhere you look constantly. I use Evernote and Google Docs to keep track of all my goals and organize them in a way I can manage. I make sure to always go back to them for inspiration in times of doubt. Focus on your whenever, wherever, whatever as the goals behind your desire for success, the “Disneyland” at the end of your road trip and be sure to remember monetary gain is only fueling the car that gets you there.

  • http://www.youngprepro.com Onibalusi Bamidele

    This post is really full of inspiration.

    Wishing yourself wealth is really good but the truth is everybody does the same. How many people are now rich? You have to set yourself apart, work hard, set big goals, forget about what others say (I mean discouragement and words of impossibilities) and very soon you will be there.

    BTW: I noticed (from your posts I read – and this one) you read lots of books, how I wish I can also be doing the same.

    Thanks a lot,
    -Onibalusi

    • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com Maren Kate

      Thanks Onibalusi! I love to read – it really is my passion and I find that it really helps in building a business and finding your passion.

  • http://www.murlu.com Murlu

    Tracking your goals and setting milestones is a really great skill to develop. I used to just write down broad tasks to complete but now I keep everything highly specific and reward myself once I complete them.

    As for wanting to become rich. Remember that being rich is completely different for each person. One may want to have a lot of money, others may want to just have freedom.

    The thing to realize is that you don’t want to actually be rich, you want the things you get as a result of it.
    .-= Murlu´s last blog post: Insights And Interviews: Jonathan Beebe Of MMO Work =-.

    • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com Maren Kate

      I agree – rich really does have to do with a person’s goal – you can be rich in a lot of things.

  • http://www.dennisedell.com/about Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing

    A means to an end, not the end itself.

    A very poignant point; one that should certainly be spread. :)
    .-= Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog post: I asked – You Answered – 4 more Social Icons Added =-.

    • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com Maren Kate

      Thanks Dennis! Glad you liked it.

  • http://www.betterbloggingforbloggers.com/ Liane

    True. There’s really a world of a difference to those who want to be rich, than those who will be.

    Looking at people of my age (young adults), they always keep on thinking what they’re going to do when they get rich (supposedly), in my head, I’m asking them, “what are you doing to be one?” here I am already starting my journey.

    Great post Maren
    .-= Liane´s last blog post: Authority and Profits – Why and How You Must Become a Blogger Consultant =-.

    • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com Maren Kate

      Exactly :) I love that you say what are they going to do when they are rich – such a good question to ask.

  • Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin

    Actually it is the fear that riches won’t make me any more satisfied – or satiated even! – that probably slows me down more than anything. I.e., why drive yourself towards richess when you a) might not succeed and b) if you do, it may not actually make a difference to your general well-being!

    Still, I’d love to be rich…
    .-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last undefined post: Response cached until Fri 28 @ 14:36 GMT (Refreshes in 56 Minutes) =-.

  • http://techhub.shirleyszone.com/ Shirley Osei-Mensah

    Very interesting article, Maren. I also think that many people don’t know what they really want from being rich, be it those who are not rich, those who are getting rich, and those who are already rich.

    I think that the right thing to do is to follow your passion and if you do, the money will follow and that way you can gain the happiness you want. Cos you are pursuing your passion and you don’t care if there’s money to be gained from it or not, so if the money comes it’s just something like a bonus :) .

    So that’s what I think :) .
    .-= Shirley Osei-Mensah´s last blog post: How To Change Your Time Zone On Twitter =-.

    • http://www.escapingthe9to5.com Maren Kate

      I agree :) focusing solely on money will sink your passions

  • Sebin

    To be rich , one has to convince his mind that he IS rich ! Great article Maren !
    .-= Sebin´s last blog post: How i got more from my commenters ! =-.

  • http://www.thinkgrowrich.net think and grow rich

    Being that we already seem to be sharing factors regarding Why Become Rich? An Entrepreneur’s Query, if applied correctly, it could be the only source of income you will ever need.