Is Money Everything?

Money will buy me a house, but not a home, a bed, but not a good night's sleep.- Zig Ziglar

Is Money Everything? This was the title of my speech at a seminar in Central London organised by Find Your Voice. Many professional speakers from all walks of life attended and delivered messages that motivated and empowered people to take control of their lives. I was one of the four speakers and the theme was: "Money Makes the World Go Round." I would like to share the views I expressed at the seminar with you.

One of the problems with literature about success is that most of the time the word 'success' is usually interpreted as material success or power. This usually includes the amount of money a person earns or has; the type of car they drive and the size and location of their house. However, we need to remind ourselves that true success isn't just Hollywood's definition of it!

Success is a journey and not a destination. The mistake most people make is aligning money with success. Money is only a medium of exchange and can never be measured side-by-side with success.

I believe that success can be divided into eight categories; these are: spiritual, health, family, career & business, financial, self-development/intellectual, personal needs, and community. It is therefore worth noting that true success is not just when you are financially rich, rather it is when you are rich in all of the eight categories.

Money can buy you material possessions, but it cannot buy you happiness and peace of mind. Money is used in exchange for other things, but this paper money we spend (e.g. Pounds, Naira, Dollars, etc) is not the only money we should have. There are hidden 'monies' in all of us; the only problem is discovering we have such 'monies' within us.

Let us consider this; if one is only financially wealthy and lacks the intellect to make other riches, or is unsuccessful in their family life and health, then the person is as good as being poor. Let us not be overly carried away by this mere medium of exchange - money - and fail to consider other aspects of life.

I once knew a rich man, who, in spite of his wealth, is deficient in his health. He died despite the great financial wealth he had accumulated. Would you say such a man was wealthy? No. Why? Because he was only monetarily wealthy - this appeared to be at the expense of his health.

I was at the mansion of one of my mentors, Richie Dayo Johnson, in Netherne-On- the-Hill, Surrey and as we sat down in his study that Sunday evening I asked: " DJ (as I fondly call him) tell me what money can and can not buy. He replied, "Dayo, money can buy you a house, but it can't buy you a home. Money can buy you insurance, but it can't buy you security. Money can buy you entertainment, but it can't buy you happiness. Money can buy you medicine, but it can't buy you good health. Money can buy you a bed, but it can't buy you sleep. Money can buy you companionship, but it can't buy you friendship. Money can buy you sex, but it can't buy you love. Money is called currency, because it is designed to flow through you. Money doesn't change you; it only reveals who you truly are."

I totally agree with Richie Dayo Johnson. In addition to this, I believe that money can buy you many women but it cannot buy you a good wife. It can buy you a good book, but it cannot buy you wisdom and knowledge. It can sponsor you through school, but it cannot buy you intellect. However, the things money can buy are temporal but the things money cannot buy are, most times, everlasting.

Who are you when you have money and who are you when you don't have? The bottom line is that money does not change you; it merely uncovers you. Why don't you take time to reflect on those things money cannot buy; you may be surprised to realise that money is actually not everything?

Is your spiritual life in order? Are you enjoying good health? Are you in control of your finances? Are you developing yourself intellectually? Are you giving back to the society? If you answer YES to all these questions, then you can confidently say that you are prospering and therefore successful.

Now tell me, IS MONEY EVERYTHING? I rest my case.

Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, Writer, Business/Life Coach, Trainer, Media Entrepreneur and Competent Toastmaster. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to help individuals and organisations achieve their full potentials. He is the author of best selling "4 Indispensable Strategies for Success" and the President of Croydon Communicators Toastmasters. Get his FREE monthly Rise to the Top ezine by sending a blank email to subscribe@dayoolomu.com or visit his website at: www.dayoolomu.com

---

Success Without Excuses

If we hope to achieve any worthwhile goal it will... Read More

Barriers to Prosperity

An odd but frequent barrier to prosperity is the belief... Read More

Millionaire Mind - Secret Of The Millionaire Mind Revealed

Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More

Building the Minds Framework for Success

Man is the most advanced being on this earth. We... Read More

Reach Your Goals - A Higher Purpose

Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More

Neutralize The Negatives!

We are repeatedly told that we should forget about unpleasant... Read More

Expect Success to Stay Self-Motivated and Get Great Results

If you called my office you will hear my voice... Read More

Fear Not If You Dont Feel Youre Off To Quite The Blazing Start Youd Like

There are those out there who would lead us to... Read More

Advance Your Enthusiasm and Determination for Success

Imagine being firmly committed to your deepest ambitions. Imagine feeling... Read More

The 80/20 Success Secret

Have you ever wondered if there was a way to... Read More

The Subtlety of Language

I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More

The Secret of My Success

In Latin the word means 'to dare'.This word is so... Read More

Affirm, Visualize, and Receive - Is Planning Really Necessary?

"Don't get caught up in the how of things. If... Read More

You Must Play By The Rules

You must play by the rules. Everything has rules. You... Read More

The BIG Secret to Success in Anything You Do

There is one big "secret" to success that can help... Read More

How to Lose Your Money, Fake Your Destiny with Great Success

Everyone talks about how to be successful through hard work... Read More

No Shortcut To Success

Sometimes short cuts are not worth taking. They may bring... Read More

The Amazing Success Secret Anyone Can Start Using Today

However there is one success secret that costs nothing. And... Read More

Decisions Can Change Your Life

To realize that you determine the outcome of your own... Read More

Dealing with Difficult People--Go Ahead, Rain on My Parade

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More

Awaken to Something New in Your Life: Conscious Change

What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More

Top Ten Success Strategies

1. Believe in yourself and what it is you do.... Read More

Whats the Secret of Your Sucess?

I'm going to begin this article by sharing a little... Read More

Is Shyness Affecting Your Job?

It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More

Self Esteem

Self-esteem is very important. It is the way we view... Read More

Reading For Success

We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More

Swotting for Success

Not so long ago, I impressed the daylights out of... Read More

Run Towards Fear: A Prescription for Success

Fear, or negative anxiety, is the modern day bubonic plague,... Read More

How The Right Questions Can Change Your Life

Your own pressing needs, your long-standing frustrations, would benefit tremendously... Read More

Opening Your Unlimited Potential

It is high time you know the truth about yourselves.... Read More

The Ancestral Cream

"I am the greatest warrior. I have fought with gods... Read More

How Important is Your Lemonade Stand?

When my neighbor's child was about 8, he decided that... Read More

Let It Be You

Each and every day, there are people all around the... Read More