“A calm mind, fit body, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought—they must be earned.” — Naval Ravikant

CONTEXT

👆 That’s one of my favorite quotes of all time.

It’s so tempting to believe that more money will solve all of your problems.

Then, when you finally become wealthy, you realize your anxieties are still there. Your regrets are still there. Your insecurities are still there.

Yes, money solves certain problems. It solves money problems.

But there are three things in life that money can’t buy (and must be earned):

THE 3 THINGS

1. A calm mind

Most of our minds are "noisy" with thoughts of regret, anxiety, and 'what if's. But the more confident someone truly is, the quieter their mind becomes.

That kind of quiet can’t be bought from a big house or impressive title. Not even Jeff Bezos can purchase a calm mind.

It can only be earned by building a deep understanding (and love) of yourself.

Being mindful helps. And btw, meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting alone on the floor in silence. Here are 5 surprising forms of mindfulness. (Many of you sent me the kindest thank-you messages about that post.)


2. A healthy body

Longevity is pretty simple. It comes from healthy habits. And the people who stick with those habits have one thing in common: mental toughness.

A healthy body is earned through a commitment to your long-term self (even if going to that Barry's Bootcamp class or eating a protein-packed breakfast isn't AS enjoyable in the short term).

Do more things for your “future” self.

Need a little push? My newsletter last week was about the viral 75 Hard Challenge. This challenge not for the faint of heart, but I guarantee you will become unrecognizable (in both health and mindset) after just 11 weeks.

“Nothing worth having comes easy.” — Teddy Roosevelt


3. A house full of love

Deep trust and unwavering commitment is increasingly rare these days. And it definitely can’t be bought.

You might think everything will change when you get that Porsche 911. But horsepower won’t get you love.

You’re much more likely to earn love by being profoundly self-aware, actively listening and communicating, and constantly bettering yourself.

I wrote this post about Brené Brown’s viral relationship hack. You know how everyone says marriage should be 50/50? She completely disagrees. I think you’ll like her 3-step guide to a healthy relationship.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

In this short podcast clip, Naval says, “I know lots of very rich people who are extremely out of shape. I know lots of rich people who have really bad family lives. I know lots of rich people who are internally a mess.”

We can’t live under the delusion that a bigger salary will fix our mindset, health, or relationship problems.

Yes, chase your financial goals! But make sure you’re putting equal effort into quieting your mind, strengthening your body, and enriching your relationships.

Those investments won't just make you rich – they'll make you whole.

(Btw, if you haven’t read The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, you’re missing out. It’s the best book on wealth and happiness I’ve come across. And you can download a free PDF of the whole book here.)

Until next week,

Jade

P.S. Thank you to everyone who booked a coaching call with me in January. It was such a delight meeting all of you. And Feb is already filling up. If you’re considering becoming a thought leader on LinkedIn, book your coaching session now. You can read tons of client reviews here. 🔥

Also, I get asked all the time which newsletter tool I recommend. Hands down, Beehiiv. (Sign up with this link and you’ll get a special bonus.)

P.P.S. Sending a warm welcome to everyone who joined The Quiet Rich community since last week! Learn more about The Quiet Rich here. 🎉