How to Find Your Real Net-Worth.

Success is typically perceived as being financially abundant, right? Our net worth is based on how much money we have in the bank, how many assets we have, how much money we have coming in etc. etc. etc. But how important actually is that? In the grand scheme of things, when we’re on our last legs and we look back on our lives and what we truly achieved, are we going to be thinking about the numbers in the bank and the dollars in our hands?

Bronnie Ware, a speaker, author and many other things, spent a lot of her career working with dying people. She learnt a lot about the regret of dying and what we truly believe to be important when we have been fortunate enough to look back on the life that has been granted us. I would totally recommend checking out the 5 regrets of dying, but funnily enough she found that monetary value and success in terms of finances and status were not something dying people held with much value. Instead, they wished they had allowed themselves to be happier, they wished they had kept in touch with friends more, they wished they had the courage to express their feelings and lived a life true to them and finally, they wished they hadn’t worked so hard.

It got me thinking how fortunate I am to have a career that has already taught me all of this. I am grateful that every day I learn to be happier, that I am intentional in my relationships, I actively express my emotions tactfully and I am living a life that I have chosen (whilst not working too hard…), yet I’m not earning millions and I’m ok with that. One day that might happen, but I’m content that my place in this world is a powerfully positive one and is not based around financial wealth. I didn’t used to feel this way though, I used to think I was only important if I wore the newest clothes, had the nicest car and was earning lots of money. All this did was take away any value I had in the items I was spending my money on, and the work I was doing to earn the wealth. I wanted to feel that my worth was based on how I made others feel and the positive impact I was making on this world, and not on the financials. After I was able to make this shift, everything changed. It took me a while to realise that the people that inspired me were not the millionaires with the flash cars, they were the people that always smiled, always helped and always gave – and I wanted to be like them!

I want to demonstrate that our worth is already impressive, regardless of how much money we have in the bank and how many assets we own. I want us to become aware that our real net worth is based on our actions and behaviours and not our finances.

So when we look at how important our life is, and how much of an impact we’re actually making on this world, let’s create a net worth that is based upon kindness and connection, giving and guidance, generosity and humility and not assets, money in the bank and expensive items.

How do we increase our real net worth? It’s easy. We just need to follow this list. And funnily enough, if we actually want to increase our wealth as a by product, it typically follows along, and with a lot more ease than hustling and working hard.

Smile at strangers
Let someone cross the road in-front of us
Serve others
Give someone a hug that needs it
Donate money
Be kind
Give freely of our time and resources
Love over hate
Offer our help and support
Think positively
Meditate
Focus on the positives in our world
Show gratitude
Call friends
Live your life for us, first
Slow down and smell the roses!
Be patient with ourselves
Be brave and courageous
CHOOSE to be happy
Let go of anything that is not serving us

If we can live generously and happily with kindness and connection then our net worth is sky high. Throw in love, smiles and a giving attitude and we’re already a soulful millionaire. Let’s be that person that smiles and spreads joy with the existing abundance around us, rather than frown and grunt because we weren’t able to make a million dollars. Let’s strive to increase our real net worth, because that is ultimately the most powerful impact we can have on this world.

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