7 Steps to Truly Get Rich

Being rich is not about money, or fame, or material possessions.

Below are 7 steps you can take that will help you become rich:

1. Find and develop your gifts and your purpose. Figure out the unique thing you do better than most people, and then become the best at it. This is your gift. This is the thing you do with ease that most people can’t do. It’s the thing you enjoy doing and get massive amounts of energy while doing it. Whatever this purpose, or gift, is, find a way to serve it to the world. Monetize it by doing the following 5 things from Genesis 1:28:

• Be fruitful - Produce it. Do your purpose. Poverty tends to persist in a non-producing environment.

• Multiply - Reproduce whatever you produce. Figure out a way to scale up.

• Replenish - Distribute it. Don't be afraid to pass it out. Use it to restore and recharge those who need it the most.

• Subdue – Become the best. Control your purpose/gift by conciously taking command of your craft.

• Dominate – Have dominion by becoming an influencer, being the go-to person, and a leader.

2. Live below your means. When you live below your means, you can pay yourself first and invest in appreciating assets (i.e. stocks, bonds, index and mutual funds, real estate, etc.). You have to get to the point where you no longer care what people think, and be content in living a lifestyle you can actually afford. This means controlling your expenses and controlling your consumption.

3. Love people. Have compassion for people and show incredible amounts of value in other human beings. Give people the honor of being treated the way youd would want them to treat your mother. This means helping those less fortunate than you and giving people the grace to be human through empathy, sympathy, and grace. This includes loving and honoring your family and those that are closest to you.

4. Cherish and value your time. Be intentional with your time. The lazy person has the same amount of time as the hard working person. The rich have the same amount of time as the poor. Time is the only level playing field in the world. So how u choose to use your time is one of the most important decisions you can make. If you don’t take control of your time, other people will. This doesn't require you to wake up at 5 a.m. or be in the bed by midnight. It simply means use whatever hours you are awake to the maximum. In other words, get the absolute most out of whatever time you choose to be awake.

5. Take risks, embrace the change that comes from those risks, and stop living life afraid. You have to be able to move and do, despite fear and despite how hard it is. It’s ok to pivot, take a step out on a limb, and then go against the grain. The passion and conviction has to be greater than the fear. Have courage, keep your faith through the process, and take the risk to actually do something.

6. Value your health. Eat right, drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, and lose your addiction to foods that have little to no nutritional value. Be sure to exercise and incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. What good is any of the other items on this list if you aren’t taking good care of your health and you aren't here to enjoy the fruits of your intentional living? The old saying that "your health is your wealth", has a lot of truth in it.

7. Think positive, and consciously manage your thinking. Your thinking controls your behavior, so it’s imperative that you make it a habit to think right. Listen to motivational things, write encouraging words to yourself, and create a routine that will put you in a positive mind frame at the beginning, middle, and end of each day. That may mean prayer, meditation, reading, or listening to messages that are meant to grow your faith or build your confidence. The key here is to bombard your mind with so much constructive thought that you don't have a lot of room for the negative stuff.

Whatever your definition of "rich" is, and whether or not you become rich, is your responsibility. Taking control, realizing you are responsible for your life and actions, and holding yourself accountable, will empower you. It's all about the habits you develop.

And remember, being rich is not about money or material things, but it’s about the quality of life you have and the quality of your life that you give to others!