You’ll never feel truly rich until you prioritize these 6 things over money

Sometimes I catch myself reflecting on the days when my entire focus was on making more money.

I was working crazy hours, brainstorming startup ideas, and scouring every conference for potential investors.

Money was the driving force behind each move I made.

Don’t get me wrong; having financial stability matters.

But I quickly learned that the size of your bank account doesn’t necessarily make you feel fulfilled.

You can climb the corporate ladder or launch a unicorn startup and still experience an odd sense of emptiness.

I’ve been there.

Eventually, I realized that feeling truly “rich” is far more about what you prioritize in your life than how much you earn.

Here at Small Biz Technology, I see so many entrepreneurs chasing revenue growth without ever stepping back to think about why that money matters.

Let’s take a closer look at six things worth prioritizing over money—and why doing so can bring you a deeper sense of satisfaction, success, and yes, real wealth.

1. Look after your physical and mental health

If your body is suffering, it’s hard to appreciate any financial gain that comes your way.

I learned this the hard way during a period when I was barely sleeping, overwhelmed with multiple ventures at once.

Burnout hit me like a freight train.

No matter how much money was flowing in, I felt chronically tired and couldn’t even enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

That’s when I realized that prioritizing health isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

When you choose to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat nutritious meals, you’re investing in your most valuable asset: you.

You’re making it possible to have the energy and clarity you need to excel in all areas of life.

The fact is, health is the most important thing. If you don’t have it, nothing else matters. Wealthy or not, without well-being, life feels painfully empty.

So think about it: do you set aside time to work out?

Do you check in with your mental health as often as you check your bank balance?

Making health a non-negotiable priority opens the door to a richer existence, one where money can enhance your life instead of being the only thing that drives it.

2. Build genuine relationships

I’ve lived in several countries, and one constant theme I’ve noticed is that people who focus on sincere relationships seem happier—regardless of their net worth.

They laugh more, they have someone to rely on when things get tough, and they share their milestones with people who truly care.

In my early entrepreneurial days, I was so fixated on closing deals and impressing investors that I barely made time for authentic human connections.

It was all about networking with an agenda.

Then I realized I was missing out on something real: genuine friendships and deep family bonds that can offer fulfillment no amount of money can replicate.

As noted by a Harvard study that’s spanned over 80 years, strong relationships are a key indicator of overall happiness and longevity.

That’s a research-backed reason to look up from your bank statements and actually engage with the people in your life.

Friends who support you, family members who love you unconditionally—these are the cornerstones of true riches.

After all, it’s tough to put a price on the kind of comfort you feel when you know someone is really in your corner, no strings attached.

3. Focus on learning and personal growth

Warren Buffett famously said, “The more you learn, the more you earn.”

But it’s not just about the earning potential—there’s a level of fulfillment in self-improvement that transcends money.

For me, diving into a good book or taking a course that challenges my worldview feels like investing in my mental expansion.

It gives me new perspectives I can apply to both life and business.

When I was younger, I’d read all sorts of nonfiction on economics, history, even existential philosophy.

Yuval Harari and Viktor Frankl were particular favorites. These books helped me think differently about my role in society and how to find meaning beyond my professional achievements.

Growing your mind doesn’t have to be purely academic. It can be creative pursuits, learning an instrument, or developing a new skill that brings you joy.

The richer your knowledge and experiences, the more options you have for navigating the world.

It’s a wealth that no recession can take away, because it’s built into who you are.

4. Enjoy time freedom

Time is the one resource you can never get back.

I used to joke that I’d pay someone just to add extra hours to my day, but the truth is, no one can.

Your time is finite.

You can hustle for higher revenue, but if you never have a moment to unwind, travel, or simply do nothing, are you truly wealthy?

A friend once told me, “If I can’t take a weekday off to spend with my family, I don’t feel successful, no matter what my bank account says.”

That hit close to home.

I recall my corporate days when I could barely take a weekend trip without checking emails or worrying about Monday’s workload.

I was making good money, but I felt trapped.

That’s the ironic part: many people chase money so they can eventually buy “freedom,” but they run themselves into a corner that leaves no room for joy.

Choosing to scale back on some commitments or delegate tasks might mean earning a bit less in the short term.

But the trade-off is that you gain something priceless: autonomy over how you spend your day.

And with that autonomy often comes less stress and more time for what actually uplifts you—be it family, friends, personal projects, or simply a walk in the park. 

Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, said it best: 

“Time is short. The music won’t last. When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift thrown away. Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.”

5. Seek purpose and fulfillment

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I doing this?”

For years, I chased one venture after another, driven by the thrill of potential financial gains.

But there came a point where I felt like something was missing.

It turned out to be purpose.

Money can solve a lot of problems, but if your daily grind doesn’t align with your deeper values, a sense of emptiness eventually creeps in.

That’s what got me exploring spirituality and diving into personal development more deeply.

I wanted to connect my work with something meaningful, something that lit a fire in my belly beyond just hitting the next financial milestone.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

When you find that purpose—whatever it may be—your actions become more intentional.

You start measuring success not just by revenue, but by the impact you’re having, the lessons you’re learning, and the sense of fulfillment you feel at the end of the day.

In many cases, pursuing your purpose can still lead to financial rewards, but even if it doesn’t, you’ll feel richer in ways money can’t quantify.

6. Cultivate generosity and kindness

Let me ask you this: Have you ever given something away without expecting anything in return?

The joy that comes from genuine generosity can be surprisingly transformative.

It might be helping a new entrepreneur in your industry or donating your time to mentor students.

Some of my most rewarding experiences came from volunteering or sharing resources with no strings attached.

In my corporate life, I was often too busy to even think about giving back. Now, I see it as a crucial part of feeling truly wealthy.

When you help someone else, you’re reminded that your success isn’t just about you. It’s about adding value to the world around you.

Try it in a small way: pay for a stranger’s coffee, help a friend move houses, or donate some of your expertise to a nonprofit.

You’ll likely discover a sense of contentment that feels oddly richer than any bonus check.

Final words

It’s easy to get tunnel vision and equate wealth with the numbers in your bank account.

I’ve fallen into that trap more times than I’d like to admit.

Yet, over the years—through trial, error, and a whole lot of reflection—I’ve learned that genuine richness in life comes from what you prioritize beyond the paycheck.

So consider these six areas as pillars of true wealth.

When you build them up, you’ll find that your sense of richness expands far beyond any balance sheet.

You’ll feel more fulfilled in your work, more connected to the world, and more at peace with yourself—regardless of the numbers.