If you asked people what they wanted to have in their lives more than anything else, what do you think most would immediately say?
Many would simply say that they want to be rich or have more money. Others would say they want to be comfortable financially, or to never have to worry about money, or to have enough money to never have to work again. Some would say they want financial security for their family's future.
Some people will be more specific - to pay off all their debts, to own a better car, to build the home of their dreams, to be able to take exotic holidays several times a year, or to be able to make sure their kids get the very best education.
Some people will quote less tangible things like to find love, to be happy, to have more time for their greatest passion, or to be doing more satisfying and rewarding work.
However, it's a pretty safe bet that the most commonly expressed desires will in one way or another relate to wanting to have more money. Many people think that if only they had more money this will solve all their problems and they will then really be able to enjoy the life of their dreams.
If money is so important to so many people, why is it that so many people don't have enough money to make them happy?
Well, I'm going to reveal to you right here the secret to being rich and having all the money you will ever want or need. It may surprise you with its simplicity, but don't let that fool you. This is how people have built financial fortunes throughout history and it will work for you too.
The secret to being rich is simply this: you must truly want to be rich.
Surely, you may say, is the secret to being rich really that simple? Surely if that's all there is to it, we'd all be rich.
Is that really it?
Well yes... and no. Everyone may want it, but do they want it enough? Here's an easy test you can take to find out if you really want to be rich:
Have you developed a burning desire to be rich and decided that no matter what, you will not be denied? Have you decided you are prepared to do whatever it takes to be rich? Have you decided to make being rich your main goal in life?
Without being able to say yes to all these questions, it is unlikely you will get rich, unless you inherit wealth from a rich relative. If you can honestly answer yes to all those questions you WILL makes the plans and take the actions that will ultimately make you rich.
What does being 'rich' mean anyway? It's certainly not only about money and accumulating vast amounts of it in your bank account. If those people who instinctive response was that they wanted more money were probed further, they'd probably find that it's not really the money itself they want.
I don't think anyone wants a physical pile of money. It's actually what the money would allow us to do with our lives and the freedom and security it would give us that we really desire.
Two of the most famous guides to success ever written, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles*** were, despite their titles, both about much more than just making money and getting rich.
Having money, even lots of it, is certainly no guarantee of happiness. We've all seen plenty of examples of celebrities and very wealthy people who seem to be as unhappy as the poorest people in society, although the causes may be different.
Having said that, money may not buy happiness, but it would probably make being unhappy a whole lot more bearable! Money is important. I think it was Groucho Marx who said something like, Money isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen.
Many people have made being rich their main focus in life, worked very hard, and become very rich. Some end up very happy, but many don't, and end up asking themselves if that's all there is. They thought wealth would make them happy and are disappointed when it doesn't.
It could be that what they actually wanted was security, or recognition, or to feel worthy or important, or even to feel loved. This is a bit like climbing to the top of the ladder of success only to find it's been leaning against the wrong wall all along!
One of the main reasons for this is that many people haven't taken the time to sit down and establish what happiness and success mean to them or what they really want in their lives.
Taking the time to think about what you really want can save you lots of wasted effort, and years, even decades chasing something you may find out way too late that you didn't really want. If you are clear about what you do want to achieve in your life and commit to working towards it, you're almost guaranteed to find success and happiness. Not only will you enjoy a truly 'rich' life, but you're also likely to have all the financial rewards and security you'll ever need.
