The Eight Areas of Wealth: My Non-Negotiable Compass for a Fulfilling Life

Mike Williams
Oct 10
5 min read

In my four decades of work, I’ve seen countless people dedicate their lives to climbing mountains, only to realise the ladder was leaned against the wrong building all along. We get caught up in the busy-ness of chasing professional goals, yet what is the point of making a fortune if I lose my family or my health in the process?

Over the years, I've refined a set of principles that have become the very essence of my methodology—the Eight Areas of Wealth. These are not negotiable, and I can tell you from my own experience, each of these areas has, in some way, saved my life. I want to share my own journey with you through this compass for a truly balanced existence.

1. Family:

My Greatest Teacher

For many years, I didn't naturally see myself as someone who would get married or have children. But my family happened, and it became one of the most profound and gratifying experiences of my life. My 23 years of marriage were challenging, but they taught me invaluable lessons about myself. My children have been one of my greatest gifts. They taught me about love and life on levels I could never have learned on my own, and their unconditional love has saved me on countless occasions. Though I made my share of mistakes as a father, I learned that the most important thing was to forgive myself and understand that family is a powerful source of growth and love.

2. Relaxation:

Reclaiming My Power

I truly believe relaxation is as vital as physical health. Early in my career, I was prone to anxiety and being far too intense, so learning to truly relax became a top priority. I realised that toxic productivity—overworking at the expense of other vital areas—left me burnt out and ineffective. Stress, driven by cortisol, actually diminishes our brain power.

I found that when I am relaxed, I release dopamine, which fuels my creativity and helps me connect ideas. I learnt that the best way to be productive in my work was to dedicate more time to genuine rest. For me, this meant journaling, meditation, and time in nature. Finding what works for you to unwind and decompress is paramount if you want to be insightful and effective.

3. Mental:

Rewiring My Life

The human mind is a marvellous tool with so much potential. My own journey with the mental area started with a challenge: I was dyslexic and failed four times in school. Sports became my initial source of self-esteem, but it wasn't until later that I reframed my self-perception, learning that many great minds, like Einstein and Branson, shared this trait.

I discovered that the power of our minds lies in their incredible ability to shape our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. My commitment became about rewiring my brain and reinventing myself. Because as I’ve learnt, if I change my perception, I change my reality.

4. Health:

Beyond Diet and Exercise

I once heard the Dalai Lama say that man sacrifices his health to make money, then sacrifices money to recuperate his health—a profound observation. Although I was fanatically committed to diet and exercise, I was still diagnosed with a life-threatening disease in 2016. I'm 75 now, and I’m going strong, but that experience showed me that health is more than physical.

My research into "spontaneous remissions" validated my belief: those who healed spontaneously often shared a focus on their thoughts and feelings, not just diet. This confirmed for me that true health is a holistic practice that is inextricably linked to our emotional and mental state.

5. Financial:

A Tool for Freedom

I see a harmonious relationship with money as a critical part of the mind, body, and spirit connection to a balanced life. A consciousness of scarcity can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, just as a consciousness of abundance can. Money is not meant to be a master—it is a tool to transform my life in a more meaningful way.

I believe we must define what "financial comfort" truly means to us, clarifying our personal values. My own focus has always been on setting four clear financial goals: earning, saving, investing, and financial freedom.

6. Work:

A Blessing, Not a Burden

Here is a powerful concept I want you to absorb: you never truly work for someone else; someone else just pays you to work for yourself. Once I discovered that, my work became a blessing, not a burden. When my work is directed toward a meaningful goal, it develops my potential. I’ve found that if I feed my mind with positive information and truly enjoy what I do, I will always surpass my goals. I have been blessed to love what I do for over four decades.

7. friendship:

The Power of Association

The people you surround yourself with will stretch your vision or choke your dream. While I’ve never been a big fan of friendships in the traditional sense—I’m a bit weird, as they say—I’ve seen how important they are for emotional health, especially when working with my clients.

I’ve found that the best way to evaluate relationships is to ask powerful questions: What do I give this person? What do I get? And are we both helping each other climb? My most intimate relationships are often with my clients, as the nature of our work allows me to know them deeply. I’ve found that my friends and my associations are a true reflection of the standards I set for myself.

8. Spiritual:

Reconnecting with the Self

I have been practising meditation since 1973, and my spiritual journey has been life-saving. The insights I gained from going beyond my negative beliefs about myself brought immense relief and healing. Whether through religion or a personal practice, the purpose is to reconnect with our true selves. When we are disconnected, we lose our inner sense of direction. This is our real work: to reconnect, heal, and find the heavenly state of mind that is already within us.

The True Definition of Wealth

I have shared my personal journey through these Eight Areas of Wealth, not as a prescriptive checklist, but as a roadmap to fulfilment. You see, the great mistake I have observed over the years is the relentless pursuit of financial success while allowing the other seven areas to suffer. The truth is, these eight areas are not separate; they are all spokes on the same wheel. If one spoke is broken—if I sacrifice my Health for my Work, or my Family for my Financial goals—the entire structure buckles. I simply cannot move forward.

This is the ultimate lesson I have learned in my life: True Wealth is not defined by the size of my bank account, the title on my door, or the speed at which I climb that mountain. True wealth is the profound, quiet sense of security and joy that comes from having a robust, well-nourished life across all eight areas.

It is the freedom that comes from a calm Mental state, the insight gained through my Spiritual practices, the deep connection in my Family, and the creativity born out of genuine Relaxation. This harmony is the most valuable asset you or I will ever possess.

I invite you now to look at your own life through this lens. Which of these areas demands your attention today? The journey to true wealth begins the moment you realise that all eight areas are non-negotiable, and that the greatest organisation you will ever run is the one you see when you look in the mirror.