Easy Come, Easy Go

Especially when we were younger, it would always be fun to say “I wish I was rich so that I could…” and you can fill in the blank. Some people can still remain caught in this mindset. The problem that we don’t often realize is – it’s always a dream we hope that eventually falls into our laps. It’s often a hope of winning the lottery, not an actual drive to succeed and earning it.

I was shocked to hear that people who win the lottery often return to the same level of income they had within a relatively short period of time. Money, and its management, is a matter of mindset rather than circumstances. People often spend their money when they don’t feel comfortable managing money. The expression “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer” is existent just as relatively because of mindset as it is to circumstances. Simply being born into wealth doesn’t necessarily mean that one is be a spoiled child. One may have grown up with a mindset of growth, wealth, and prosperity, and found a way to perpetuate it in comparison to just riding out the riches.

Wealth isn’t bad, but it isn’t life’s purpose. If someone is blessed to have earned a lot of money, then that’s great. If however, life proves financially difficult, there are more areas in life that can be developed outside of finances. Character can bring in a lot more value than any paper bill can.

“Easy come, easy go” is a perfect expression on many levels. If someone has inherited a lot of money, but they have no idea how to manage it, then it will be eventually lost. The same applies in the situation of winning the lottery. Anyone who wins the lottery likely doesn’t have the proper capacity of understanding in order to effectively keep that level of money consistently coming in.

Money can be maintained when character, development, and responsibility are maintained. However, that’s not always the case. Money shouldn’t ever be the primary goal. Money should be the by-product of attaining a desired goal. Any money that comes in the process of pursing one’s happiness should be considered a bonus. Money won’t matter after we pass away. Life experiences, family, and passion for work should be the priority, as this life means something for the next.

For further related reading, please check out: Leadership & Service.