Wealth—what comes to mind when you hear this word? For a good chunk of us, it’s money.
Hear wealth, think money. Hear money, think wealth. It’s a simple, automatic connection.
But here’s the catch: money, as we’ve heard time and again, isn’t everything. We’ve seen it in the stories of the rich of the richest—from King Midas to Beast (Beauty and the Beast), Ebenezer Scrooge, Howard Hughes, and even Princess Diana.
The thing is, financial resources are important, according to Robin Sharma, a litigation lawyer-turned-leadership expert, in an interview on the Mindvalley Book Club with Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani. (Mindvalley Members can catch it on the app.)
However, Robin explains that it alone isn’t the key to true wealth. In fact, there are seven other forms of wealth that matter just as much—if not more—for a fulfilling life.
Who is Robin Sharma?
It’s likely you’ve heard the name “Robin Sharma.” But if you haven’t (or can’t quite put your finger on it), then it’s likely you’ve heard of his mega-hit book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Or The 5 A.M. Club.
Both books have topped the best-seller lists and have been translated into multiple languages. Now, it’s looking like his latest, The Wealth Money Can’t Buy, is heading in the same direction.
“I only write books when I’m inspired and when I feel inspired, excited to write a new book,” he tells Kristina. “I think the energy that you bring to anything, whether it’s an app or a book or a screenplay or a meal, whoever is consuming it, they feel that energy.”
What makes Robin’s journey even more remarkable is that he started out as a lawyer. But despite his achievements, he found himself feeling unfulfilled.
This sparked his quest to explore life’s bigger questions—about success, happiness, and what truly matters.
Why Robin Sharma believes financial wealth isn’t enough
Robin isn’t the only one who’s faced an existential crisis. Plenty of billionaires, celebrities, CEOs, and sports stars—the very people who seem to have it all—have gone through the same thing. Even after reaching society’s version of success, many of them still felt something was missing.
“Our society really has programmed us to hustle and grind our way to the mountaintop of success, which in many ways is defined as having a lot of money and a lot of likes and a lot of things,” says Robin. “The only challenge with that is, I’ve seen many people—they get to that mountaintop and they say, ‘Is that it?’”
Turns out, studies show that while money can definitely make life easier, it only boosts happiness up to a certain point—about $100,000 a year. After that, earning more doesn’t really move the needle on how happy you feel. Sure, money solves a lot of problems, but beyond that, it won’t magically make you feel fulfilled or content.
So, what does bring that feeling? “Money is one of the eight forms of wealth,” Robin explains. These seven other forms of wealth are essential for true wealth, helping you create a balanced life filled with personal growth, wellness, and meaningful relationships.
“Without these other seven forms of wealth,” he adds, “we can’t really say we have a rich life.”
The eight forms of wealth Robin Sharma says lead to a rich life
Wondering what these eight forms of wealth actually are? Here’s the breakdown of them that Robin says can create “an upward spiral of success”:
- Growth. According to Robin, it’s the bedrock of everything. “If we don’t think we can grow into our greatest selves,” says Robin, “then we’re not going to do the work required to get there.”
- Wellness. If you’re not physically well, it’s hard to enjoy the rest of your life, no matter how much money you have.
- Family. Strong relationships with loved ones give you support and a sense of belonging. It’s important to nurture these meaningful connections for joy and stability.
- Craft. Developing self-mastery, whether it’s work or a passion, helps bring a sense of purpose and pride.
- Money helps you handle your responsibilities, put food on the table, do things for people you love, and so on. But adopting a strong money mindset is the bigger pot of gold here because it ensures you make wise financial decisions that support long-term security.
- Community. The people around you have a big impact on your life. So building a community of positive, supportive people helps you grow and thrive.
- Adventure. Whether it’s through travel, trying new things, or learning something new, stepping out of your comfort zone adds excitement and perspective.
- Service to others. When you live for something bigger than yourself, it helps create a sense of purpose and fulfillment that money just can’t buy.
“I deeply believe—and I’ve experienced it with my clients and myself—that you can achieve harmony in all of the eight forms of wealth,” says Robin. His approach? It comes down to setting up the right systems, removing distractions, and being intentional about where you focus your time and energy.
How to apply the eight forms of wealth in your daily life
Of course, it’s easy to say something like, “All you need to do is balance the eight areas and you’ll be happy.” But chances are, you know that’s not reality; finding that harmony in life can feel impossible, especially when one area demands all your attention.
So what can you do to prevent slipping into a one-sided approach? “It comes down to your habits,” says Robin. In fact, studies show that when you focus on small, sustainable habits, you’re way more likely to stick with them and see real, lasting results in your life.
I deeply believe—and I’ve experienced it with my clients and myself—that you can achieve harmony in all of the eight forms of wealth.
One powerful tool (of many) that Robin recommends is his “Five-Question Morning Maximizer.” It’s simple and helps you focus on what really matters every single day.
Using the Five-Question Morning Maximizer
Here’s what it looks like:
- What am I grateful for today? Focusing on gratitude shifts your mindset to appreciate growth and the relationships that bring you support. It also nurtures your emotional well-being and strengthens your connections.
- Where am I winning? Whether it’s progress at work or positive experiences with your community, celebrating the little wins keeps you motivated.
- What will I let go of today? Letting go of stress, grudges, or negative emotions allows you to move forward without being weighed down by the past.
- What does my ideal day ahead look like? Visualize your day and set your intention. This will help you focus on what really matters, like taking care of yourself, spending time with the people you love, or tackling your to-do list with ease.
- What needs to be said at the end? It’s about “what you want to be said about you on the day after you pass away.” This powerful question is meant to help you find meaning and remind you of your larger purpose in this life.
This is something Robin and his clients do every morning. Give it a try—because who wouldn’t want to start their day feeling like they’ve already won?
Fuel your mind
Ever hold a book that makes you rethink everything? That’s the kind of impact you can expect from the reads Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani picks out for the Mindvalley Book Club.
From self-mastery to social impact and beyond, each one is carefully chosen to shake things up in the best way possible. Whether it’s a Robin Sharma book or another transformational read, you’ll also get to dive into exclusive discussions with authors and gain insights that stick with you long after the final page.
Ready for your next breakthrough? Join the club and see where it takes you.
Welcome in.
