People Don't Want Money, They Want...

A couple of years ago, I believed what 95% of my generation believes to be true, which is that making heaps of money translates to a happy life. Throughout high school and especially in college, people would go on about how successful and wealthy they would become. I would always follow up by asking how.

These people would confidently talk about making a lot of money no problem, but when I posed the question of how they planned on doing so, almost all of them would trip up. What I gather from this is that none of these people have even thought about what they actually want in life.

I ask the question because I know what they want, even if they don't.

People don't want money, they want financial freedom.

Most people enjoy making money, and I'm no exception. However, what they do with their money varies. Some want to satisfy material wants, some will save, and others invest. So what are people saying when talking about their future riches?

There's no specific number in mind when the subject comes up since dollar amounts don't satisfy wants. Sure, a couple extra zeros on your bank account statement should make you proud, but lasting satisfaction is derived from experience.

People don't want money, they want their dream experience.

College students that say they will make good money in their life aren't talking about making money. They have an image in their head, sailing around the Mediterranean, taking their private plane around the country, or relaxing at their newly purchased beach house.

That fantasy then becomes an over-sized office at the top of the skyscraper with employees scurrying around turning the wheels of the company.

If you've started your own company or consider yourself an entrepreneur within a bigger company, you know this role doesn't exist. Building a company is a daunting task, and many wantrepreneurs never pull the trigger because of the financial risk and grueling work ethic required to build and grow a successful business.

When the time comes to build that personal brand, bring in more revenue, or start your own business, there is an underlying determinant that has a big impact on whether the push will be successful.

People don't want money, they want influence.

In commercial real estate and most other industries, influence is what people are really after. Do you think Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs set out to make money when they started Facebook and Apple?

It may have been in the back of their mind, but they went to great lengths to influence others.

Countless hours of work in an effort to change the lives of those around them would eventually be very profitable for Zuckerberg and Jobs, but don't make the mistake of thinking these great visionaries were chasing paychecks. First and foremost, they wanted to build a far reaching influence, and were they ever successful in doing so.

Whether you're just getting into commercial real estate, are an established player, or even own your own company, make sure you continue to extend your influence and financial gains will follow.

Chasing money is a long and lonely path. Influence others and make a real impact.

Are you influencing others in your daily lives or in the commercial real estate space? Which is more important to you, money or influence?