How To Build Your Fortune

Imagine this: it’s a balmy summer evening, and you’re sitting at a cozy bar with a few friends, just catching up. You know those laid-back conversations where you’re laughing one minute, and diving into deep life philosophy the next? That was me a few months ago. My friend's wife—someone who used to work with me—joined our chat. The topic of “working on yourself” came up, and she quickly dismissed it as too “airy.” She meant it wasn’t tangible enough to hold real weight.

But here’s the kicker: that’s exactly where most people miss out on life-changing growth.

See, working on yourself might not sound as tangible as clocking into a job every day, but it’s the only thing that will truly move the needle if you want to create real wealth—not just financial, but emotional, mental, and spiritual wealth.

Now, let me tell you why that conversation stuck with me...

The Shift from Corporate to Self-Development

It got me thinking about the very thing we joked about—how most of us are conditioned to work on our jobs, on becoming better at a skill that helps someone else build their dream. That’s how we’ve been wired. We believe if we just keep pushing, we’ll reach "xxx", we don't even know what, right? Working at your job is like running on a treadmill—you’re moving, but you’re not actually going anywhere new.

In contrast, working harder on yourself opens up doors you didn’t even know existed.

This idea isn’t new. Jim Rohn, one of the greatest personal development coaches, famously said: “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job, and you’ll make a fortune.”

Real-Life Example of Growth: An Athlete’s Mindset

Let me give you an example. Think of athletes like Michael Jordan. We often focus on his basketball skills, but what really set him apart? It wasn’t just his technical ability; it was his unrelenting mindset to become the best version of himself. He didn’t just practice basketball; he practiced leadership, resilience, mental toughness—he worked on himself. And that, my friends, is why he didn’t just become a good player—he became a legend.

It’s the same in business or in life. Working on your skills will make you good at your job, maybe even rich. But working on your mindset, your discipline, your resilience? That’s where fortunes—financial and personal—are created.

Research-Based Framework: The Growth Mindset

Let’s break this down with a research-based framework. Ever heard of Dr. Carol Dweck’s work on the growth mindset? In her research, Dweck explains that people with a growth mindset believe they can develop their abilities and intelligence through effort, good strategies, and input from others.

If you’re someone who focuses just on working your job, you might have a fixed mindset—believing your intelligence or talent is static. But when you work on yourself, you’re essentially adopting a growth mindset, understanding that who you are today doesn’t have to be who you are tomorrow. And the people who embrace this concept are the ones who continue to evolve, to thrive, and yes—create fortunes in every sense of the word.

Some actions

So, how do you start working on yourself? Here are three simple, actionable steps:

1. Start with Self-Awareness: Pay attention to your internal dialogue. Write down your thoughts, fears, and dreams. Are you operating from a fixed mindset without realizing it? Start journaling once a day to get a clear picture of where you are mentally.
2. Invest in Learning: Dedicate time daily to learning something new—not just about your job, but about YOU. Whether it’s a new skill, a course in self-development, or simply reading something that challenges your perspective.
3. Surround Yourself with Growth-Oriented People: The people around you influence your growth. If you’re surrounded by folks who are stuck in the “work hard at your job” mentality, that’s where you’ll stay. Instead, seek out people who challenge you to grow, to think bigger.

As we finish up here, I want to leave you with this thought:

Are you building a paycheck, or are you building a fortune?

The difference is subtle but monumental. Don’t dismiss the power of working on yourself, even if it feels a little “airy” at first. It’s the intangible work—the growth mindset, the resilience, the curiosity—that will compound over time, and create not just wealth, but a truly fulfilled life.

Take that step today. Start small, but start. Ask yourself,

What can I work on within me that will create the life I really want?

With Love

Costa