The Big Misconception About Money—And Why It Will Doom Your Mission


I have a confession to make.

I love money. Maybe not “LOVE”. Let me explain…

Dollar signs have lit the path I have chosen in every fork in the road of life.

Cash keeps me up late. It wakes me up early. It makes me come alive.

Unfortunately, some people seem to have a problem with this. And they’re always sure to tell me about it.

I’ll give you an example.

Someone I’ve known for several years emailed me with a request involving a well-known entrepreneur’s time that I worked with.

I told him that, before discussing any details, I needed to know if it would involve at least seven figures of net monies to his business.

He was not pleased. These were his exact words:

“Although I understand, I’m very disappointed by your response. I thought you had a deeper purpose and ‘money’ took a back seat. Guess I was wrong! Ouch!”

I wrote a quick response explaining my rationale, but it must not have convinced him. He never wrote back.

I wondered: Do some people just not get it?

In my experience, it’s true that many people are often just suffering from a simple misconception about money.

A misconception that keeps them trapped in a limited mindset.

This prevents them from reaching as many people as possible with their mission.

That keeps them stuck in a permanent holding pattern.

What follows is what I wish I had written to the man who was so disappointed to discover I make cash a priority. Maybe these words would have helped him; maybe they would have failed.

At this point, we’ll never know.

Today they can help you, and all those you might reach with your passion, mission, and purpose.

If you are curious about cash, if you want to learn how to attract more to the project that makes you jump out of bed in the morning, or even if you’re just suspicious of the level of importance I am placing on it, read on.

There is much to learn.

The Big Misconception About Money—and Why It Will Doom Your Mission to Failure

People recoil from mentions of money for a simple reason.

When they hear you are prioritizing money, they believe that you see money as the end, rather than the means to an end.

They believe that following the money means you do not have a deeper purpose.

That you do not care about people.

That you are not interested in helping those who are hurting.

Of course, this could not be further from the truth. Because what is that “end” I mentioned earlier?

It IS people!

  • Whatever mission you are hoping to fill…
  • Whatever job you are doing…
  • Whatever business you are building,
  • I don’t care what it is—white collar, blue collar or no collar…

You are in the people business. PERIOD.

It takes money to reach people.

It takes money to convey new ideas to people.

It takes money to create content that will have a lasting impact on people.

It also, of course, takes time to reach people. Which is money.

Show me a dependable, repeatable way to reach people without money –

I would be very interested.

Anyone not focusing on the money will not ever be able to focus on people. At least not for very long.

If you could show me a project that doesn’t cost money–it would for sure cost time. Either my time or the time of people I would have to interact with to create whatever we are producing to reach people.

I cannot get away from money.

My church cannot get away from money.

All the companies I deal with cannot get away from money.

  • Including the bakery
  • the diner
  • the drug store

For some reason, they all operate with money.

I have met many who have tried to get away from money. They succeeded. They also went out of business. And they didn’t reach lots of people.

If you hear me saying I am looking for seven-figure deals—it is because I want to reach lots of people.

You cannot make that kind of money and not reach lots of people. All over the world.

Whatever it is you want to do—I am assuming you do not want it to be a flash in the pan.

You want it to last a long time. To be available one hundred years from today. Still reaching and influencing people.

Everything I have seen achieves greatness has had two things in common:

  1. It was based on solid truth and wisdom.
  2. It created lots of money in the process of reaching lots of people.

This became the fuel that helped its momentum continue for decades. Do this and you will have created something that not only lasts – but that deserves to last! Congratulations!

The Real Bottom Line of Money

Money is never neutral.

You are either making it or losing it.

It is either added to or subtracted from your bottom line. Either you have more at the end of the day, or you have less.

Be assured that the numbers are very important. Numbers with dollar signs are extremely critical. To the well-being of your family and your life in general. And your future—all the way through retirement.

But the real bottom line of money is simply…choices.

With money, you have choices. And not just trivial ones.

There are many needs that can be met with cash:

  • Cash can eliminate homelessness.
  • Cash can feed people.
  • Cash can provide medical helpfrom broken arms to heart transplants.

Choices equal possibilities.

With no money, you are extremely limited in what you can choose to do. Therefore, you have fewer possibilities—for yourself and others.

Do you have any idea what the number one, two, and three reasons are for why 80% of new businesses fail within the first 12 months?

They are all associated with a lack or total mismanagement of cash.

So many of these wannabe startup CEOs totally miss the point.

They believe their passion for changing the world will magically transform into a successful business. Unfortunately, I’ve never found a bank that accepts passion. Ignoring this fact is simply arrogant.  

If you think the cash will eventually appear—you are wrong.

Cash doesn’t simply mosey in.

Cash is commanding.

It takes a firm stand.

It walks tall.

It does not slouch or limp.

It speaks loudly.

With a voice that all can hear.

Cash is colorful.

It can create something out of nothing.

It can help spread the good news.

If you turn your back on cash, your lack of it will bite you in the butt.

Cash has been associated with the beauty of rainbows forever. In Irish mythology, a leprechaun has hidden a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. These beings are often depicted as very small old men dressed in green and wearing leather aprons. All leprechauns love gold and have their very own pots. 

Even though the rainbow tells people exactly where the gold is, humans must catch the leprechaun first to find it. If you follow the rainbow and were lucky enough to spot a leprechaun, he could lead you to the pot of gold. But that never happens. 

Fairies gave leprechauns the magical ability to disappear, making it impossible for a person to find the gold.

Most people create their own myths about money.

They are usually based on their own inadequacies, ignorance, and laziness (which is usually based on fear).

They do not know what to do, what decision to make, or even how to decide. So doing nothing becomes their sole source of activity.

They are busy doing nothing. Accomplishing nothing. Becoming nothing.

They then sit and gripe about those who earn more and become more by doing more. It is easier to tear someone else down than to build themselves up. 

  • They act exhausted instead of exalted.
  • They promise without promoting.
  • They complain when they should compliment.
  • They see nothing but dark amidst all the light.
  • They spiral down instead of stepping up.
  • Their history only exists in the “now.” 

A lot of people’s belief systems about money are based in myth. Just like the leprechaun—their money has disappeared. They have none. Not only can they not find the pot of gold—they have no cash.

It would serve these people well to stop focusing on themselves and start focusing on bringing massive value to others. When you find ways to improve other people’s lives, your own life will improve.

What to Do When You Have No Cash, Few Resources, and No Idea What to Do Next

No matter how little you may have, you must learn that you are never short of money. You are only short of two things:

  1. An idea
  2. Time

One idea can change everything. The only thing required for discovering that idea is time. The challenge? Time is an extremely scarce resource.

Documented fact: We all only have 168 hours per week. 24 hours a day.

You are in a race for using your time and you do not know how much you have left. It may be more limited than you think. Therefore, there should be an intense sense of urgency in everything you do and consider doing.

I have been through times when it felt like I had little to no resources. If you are there right now, there are a few things you should know:

If you feel sad—realize you are not acknowledging something for which you should be grateful.

If you feel bewildered—stop. The answer will come when you listen.

When you want to yell—take a deep breath and speak softly and slowly.

When you feel it is not worth it—remember all the things that are worth it.

When you feel hopeless—remember it is just a feeling. Not reality at all.

When you feel alone—count the stars at night. Or the leaves during the day. You will suddenly be among the many. 

When you feel tired—you probably are. Most likely you are more tired than you think you are. Stop and rest. Quietly.

When you feel you are lacking—remember that all you really “need” is the next breath. And you just took one.

If I had to list one thing that has allowed people to acquire massive amounts of resources—it would simply be FOCUS.

  1. Find your passion
  2. Observe the basics
  3. Continue daily
  4. Understand it’s not about you
  5. Stay the course

There are answers.

There is hope.

You can do better and be better.

It is the proverbial one step at a time.

It is not over.

You are one decision mixed with massive action away from completely turning your life or your business around.

This is just the beginning.


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