How do you think about the money you make?
I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately with people who want to make more money. But what “make more money” means seems to vary wildly depending on their money story.
Take Laila. She thinks of money in terms of gross revenue – the big, impressive number before costs (reality?) show up. Her fuel is competition. She uses other people’s revenue numbers to drive her. She spends furiously to grow her revenue…even if she doesn’t take home much after expenses. She doesn’t care. Recognition is her reward.
Then there’s Rafael. He thinks in net terms. He wants enough money to cover his bills, save a little, and sleep at night. He couldn’t care less about what he grosses. He lives by his net because that’s his safety net.
And then there are the folks who reject the whole framework. Talking gross feels greedy. Talking net feels needy. “A love of money is the root of all evil,” they remind me as they avoid money conversations altogether.
Everybody’s got a money story. I’ve carried my own mix of wild beliefs about earning, keeping, and growing money, all of which affected how I ran my businesses. I’ve met accountants who rage at revenue chasers (former me) because they barely break even. Those same accountants turn around and coax the net-focused folks (former me) to take more risks. I’ve had clients in their 60’s confused by the differences between “gross” and “net”…their shame is so blinding they can’t bear to look. I’ve got deep compassion for them because that was me, too.
If I could point you in the right direction, I’d point you back to you. Whatever your story, it’s shaping how you build, spend, save, and strive. There’s no one way to math. If aiming to make seven figures in gross revenue lights you up, go for it. If “enough to make ends meet” brings you peace, that should drive your success. If you land somewhere in the middle, that’s okay, too. The real challenge is knowing what you truly want — not just what you think you should want.
Money isn’t just math. It’s a mirror. What do you see?
jill
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