The Wealth Money Can’t Buy
“We’re all here for a special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past and become the architect of your future” – Robin Sharma
When we mention Robin Sharma, everyone first thinks of his classic “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.” Of course, there were several other works connected with “The Monk,” then “The Leader Who Had No Title,” “The Greatness Guide” and other titles.
I personally love reading his works. I love that kind of mix of zen wisdom, spiritualism, a bit of philosophy, quoting historical figures, a bit about business, a bit about the present moment… and what’s especially interesting to me is how it seems, as Robin ages (i.e., matures), his books become somehow simpler, yet deeper, with focus on elementary things. “The 5 AM Club” made a small boom when it appeared, and “The Everyday Hero Manifesto” brought many practical pieces of information that Sharma previously only shared at seminars.
“Well, where should we start?”
My answer was simple: “Just start.”
It really isn’t that difficult and there’s no reason to complicate anything while you materialize and optimize the many talents you were born with. The way to start is simply to start. Often overthinking and over-complicating how to get started with something is a sabotaging symptom of fear. In reality, you’re resisting moving forward because you’re frightened: of success, of failure, of ridicule and of being separated from your peer group.
And now before us is his latest book, “The Wealth Money Can’t Buy.” 😊
The fact is we live in a material world and today more than ever people are obsessed with money (although they’ll often tell you that’s not the case), so we’ve started forgetting there are some values you (mostly) can’t obtain with money (or money is only an auxiliary means for them).
The book covers eight forms of wealth:
- Growth: The habit of daily improvement
- Wellness: Constantly optimize your health habits
- Family: A happy family is a habit of a happy life
- Craft: Work as a platform for purposeful habits
- Money: Prosperity as an incentive for freedom
- Community: You become what your habits are in the social network
- Adventure: Joy comes from exploration, not acquired habits
- Service: Life is short, so be of as much help as possible
Relationships shouldn’t be mercilessly difficult. The first thing you want to do is be completely clear about what’s non-negotiable and what’s most important to you in that relationship. Second, it’s up to you to elegantly and strictly – and sometimes sharply – protect your priorities. We really do teach people how to treat us, and if you constantly allow people to betray and humiliate you, they’ll think it’s okay to do that to you. And every time they do it, you’ll lose a bit more of your self-respect and honor.
Each of these areas has 20-30 short chapters (which on average have one to two pages), so even if you’re very busy, you can always find time to read a few chapters every day.
Each chapter will be permeated with Robin’s analysis of the topic, the occasional example or anecdote (often from his private-business life), solution to that challenge, as well as quotes from famous and influential figures from world history.
“The Wealth Money Can’t Buy” is written in simple, everyday language, which is why the book reads incredibly easily and quickly. Robin has that unique style where even when covering profound topics, it seems like you’ve met him somewhere over coffee or lunch, savoring topics about the wealth money can’t buy.
Robin will share with us wisdom about releasing bitterness, imperfection, keeping a journal, learning to embrace solitude (not loneliness!), forest walks, watching your diet, dopamine detox, quality sleep, letting go of anger, how some things can be forgiven (but not forgotten), about learning, one’s own “Project X,” founding a mastermind alliance, giving, documentaries, digital sabbath, learning to slow down, a reminder that happiness is an internal thing, finding a reason (purpose) greater than ourselves, honor and many other topics…
There’s another beauty to this book. Robin has accumulated considerable “life mileage,” had (in fact, still has) a successful career, traveled a lot, earned millions of dollars… however, when Robin writes about how material things (in the sense of things and money) aren’t the meaning of life, somehow you have the feeling he’s speaking from the heart. Many famous people living luxurious lives often tell “ordinary” people how money isn’t important, but you have the feeling they’re (covertly) sarcastic and that they’re, in a way, mocking people. With Robin you don’t have that feeling. He relies on personal experiences, catching wonderful and touching moments around us. Ok, a starry sky while you’re in the Maldives is surely a touching moment and enjoying sips of espresso while you’re on the seashore somewhere in Italy… but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a touching moment in your own place with coffee you make yourself (of course, if you’re able to go to the Maldives and Italy too, do that as well… maybe I’m enlightened, but I’m not stupid enough not to know what’s good 😁).
If something didn’t work out (say, you lost a job or ended a relationship), don’t fall into the trap of self-blame. Let go of WCE: whining, complaining, and excuses. Instead, honestly and carefully examine your role in the loss. And improve what should be improved so the same thing won’t repeat. That’s APR (Absolute Personal Responsibility). And part of that is being a highly-functional and truly wealthy human being.
Does “The Wealth Money Can’t Buy” deserve a reading recommendation in the end?
Absolutely.
As in the case of “The Everyday Hero Manifesto,” here too you get a pile of information and reminders about what’s really important in life and what we should strive for… and we need such friendly reminders, because we quickly forget a lot of important things in the sea of unnecessary information we’re bombarded with.
So, I’ll put this work on my special shelf, so I can occasionally flip through some chapter when the need arises.
And you, dear reader, have you had the opportunity to read Robin’s latest book? 😊
Book price: Vulkan | Delfi | Makart
