Why More Money Isn’t The Best Motivator For Success

Discover why money isn’t the best motivator for success, and how finding your 'why' can lead to deeper fulfilment and long-term achievement.

Dear Spirited Earthling,

For many people, the idea of having more money is a powerful motivator for success. After all, it’s natural to associate financial success with personal achievement and fulfilment. However, while money can certainly be a motivator, it is often not the most effective one. Focusing solely on financial incentives can hinder long-term success in both personal and professional pursuits.

Why Having a "Why" Matters for Success Beyond Money

Understanding your deeper motivation (your why) is crucial for sustained success and fulfilment. When financial goals lack an emotional or purposeful foundation, they can feel empty once achieved.

1. Your Why Fuels Motivation: Success demands time, effort, and perseverance. Your why is the force that keeps you focused and committed, even through challenges.

2. Your Why Provides Focus: A clear why aligns your actions with your core values, guiding you to make intentional choices that lead to real progress rather than distractions.

3. Your Why Cultivates Passion: Understanding your why connects you to your passions, enabling you to live authentically. When your goals match your values, you find greater joy and fulfilment.

4. Your Why is Uniquely Yours: Without a clear why, you risk living according to others’ expectations. Identifying your purpose empowers you to shape your journey based on your true desires.

5. Your Why Attracts Opportunities: When you act with clarity and purpose, you draw like-minded people and opportunities. Authenticity and vision attract meaningful connections and success.

Money Motivates Success Until It Doesn't

In an episode of the Hopecast, Jane Goodall shares a story of six families who immigrated to Bhutan under identical circumstances:

• They arrived with nothing,

• Each family had a father, mother, and child.

Over a decade, all families achieved stable jobs, homes, and education for their children. While their happiness initially increased, two families stopped striving for more, content with their lives. The remaining four, however, continued seeking more wealth, yet their happiness declined.

Similarly, in How to Think Bigger by Martin Meadows, a study found that life satisfaction increases until individuals earn about $75,000 per year. Beyond this point, happiness stagnates or declines. This suggests that while income can grow indefinitely, its impact on happiness has a limit.

When money is no longer enough to drive you, it becomes essential to connect with a purpose that goes beyond financial rewards.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Motivations for Success

To discover what truly drives you beyond money, consider these questions:

1. Why do you really want what you want?

If your goal is to buy a house, a sports car, or a boat, ask yourself why. When money alone drives success, the goal may feel hollow during challenging times. Expand your vision by attaching emotions and experiences to your goals:

• House: Instead of just owning a house, envision creating a loving home, starting a family, and cultivating a beautiful garden for memorable picnics.

• Boat: Beyond purchasing a boat, imagine feeling the ocean breeze, basking in the sunshine, and embarking on thrilling adventures.

By attaching meaning to financial goals, the pursuit becomes fulfilling and fuels long-term motivation.

2. Who are you doing this for?

Money is often an extrinsic motivator, while passion and people are intrinsic motivators that provide deeper satisfaction.

Your relationship with money influences how it affects your happiness. If your goal is solely to impress others, it may lead to dissatisfaction. However, if you aim to achieve financial security, support loved ones, and contribute to society, money can enhance your life in meaningful ways.

“Finding your who (the person for whom you’re striving to achieve a big goal) can be even better than finding your why.” ~ Martin Meadows

3. Are you playing to win or are you playing to not lose?

This is an interesting question because your perception of a situation influences how you act in it. Consider this penalty shoot-out during a football match scenario from Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing by Ashley Merryman and Po Bronson:

• Players who aim to win have a 92% success rate,

• Players playing to avoid losing have only a 62% success rate.

It may seem like playing to win and playing not to lose means the same thing, but words matter, and your brain is going to focus on the words win or lose. Framing goals in a positive, proactive way enhances performance and keeps you focused on growth rather than fear.

“The first effect is when you’re playing to win. This attitude improves your performance. The second effect is when you’re playing not to lose – it leads to decreased performance.” ~ Martin Meadows

Think about it with a business in mind:

• Are you looking to provide the best service to your customers and win their business?

• Or are you looking at your competitors and hoping you aren’t being left behind?

Learn from your competitors, but don’t let their successes determine what your successes are. Don’t be envious, become inspired.

What motivates people beyond money and success?

1. An expansive goal with emotional ties (like joy and growth) - not just an object.

2. A meaningful connection to a person, group of people, or causes beyond yourself.

3. The desire to be the best, rather than merely avoiding failure.

Remember that Hustle Culture isn't Worth it

The pursuit of money and success should not come at the expense of relationships, health, and personal well-being. Achievements feel empty if they sacrifice time with loved ones or self-care.

Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca-Cola, offers a powerful metaphor:

“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends, and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass.

If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.” ~ Brian Dyson

Happiness comes to you when you’re happy with yourself and with what you already have. Know your worth outside your net worth. To achieve true success, strive for balance. Go after your dreams but stay grounded in what truly matters—relationships, well-being, and joy.

Pursue your goals with passion and purpose, knowing that true success is built on values that go beyond money. Your "why" is what will carry you through challenges and create lasting fulfilment.

Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to themselves and the world. It is written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life. This blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.

As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living. I deeply appreciate every read, share, and purchase.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Best wishes, warmest regards

Jordan 

[Updated in 2025]

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Affirmation: How my life feels is more important than how my life looks.

Journal prompts: Why do I really want what I want? Who am I doing this for?

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