In “Considerations in Making Money,” I delve into waste in organizational processes, the importance of employees in corporate profits, the need to streamline operations, and so forth. However, perhaps the more interesting take on profits is whether money truly makes us happy.

A study in 1972, repeated in 2004, found that the percentage of very happy Americans remained unchanged at 31 percent despite average income increasing by 50 percent. A study in 2010 indicated that after about $75,000 in earnings, Americans are not any happier than those making less than that amount. However, that amount increased dramatically: a study in 2022 showed that the amount of money required to be happy is closer to $500,000. Thus, money can boost happiness but only to a certain point.

A business cannot thrive without money, and its employees will be happier with more money. However, studies demonstrate that in a world where money is considered the ultimate measure of success, it’s easy to get caught up in the chase of earning more money, neglecting other areas of your life. It’s also important to recognize that true fulfillment lies not in monetary success alone but in balancing all aspects of your life.

An ultimate measure of organizational prosperity is its bottom line, i.e., money, but people’s lives are not just about money. Our lives comprise several vital areas: career, relationships, health, spirituality, and personal growth. Each of these areas contributes to our overall sense of fulfillment and happiness. Unfortunately, when we prioritize only our careers and overlook other areas of our lives, we may feel unfulfilled, burnt out, and exhausted.

Therefore, finding fulfillment and balance in life requires us to pay attention to each area of our lives, not just our careers/money, and to prioritize our emotional/happiness and financial needs.

One way to find balance is to set priorities and goals for each area of our lives. Taking an inventory of our lives and identifying areas in which we feel unfulfilled or lacking balance is an excellent start to finding that balance. Once we have identified these areas, we can take the necessary steps toward fulfillment. For example, if we find that career pressures have forced us to neglect our relationship with our partners or loved ones, we can begin to prioritize spending quality time with them in our daily lives. Or if we notice that our health has taken a backseat while chasing career goals, we can begin to make small changes to improve our diet, sleep schedule, or exercise regimen.

It’s important to remember that finding balance and fulfillment in life doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing career goals. Instead, it’s about recognizing that pursuing financial success alone isn’t enough to create a fulfilling life. It’s about being mindful of all the components of a well-rounded life, including work, relationships, and personal growth.

Moreover, finding fulfillment in areas outside of our careers can improve our professional performance. Caring for our physical and emotional needs makes us more focused, productive, and creative at work.

In conclusion, while pursuing financial success may be tempting and is no doubt necessary for desirable lifestyles, it’s important to remember that life is about balance. Thus, we can find true fulfillment when we balance all areas of our lives. Recognizing that success in one area isn’t enough to create a fulfilling life can help us find balance, be mindful of our overall wellbeing, and ultimately live happier and more fulfilled lives.