Money, money, money. No, I am not ripping off Abba's song. Rather, I am trying to get your attention to make some observations about the medium of exchange that we call... money. I guess I have your attention so I will make my points.

Most of the population of the world is obsessed with chasing little pieces of paper and little round disks - the thing that represents power and prestige. Money. If you have plenty of those little rectangular paper shapes with numbers on then you are what is called wealthy. If you have few of them then you are poor.

Men and women have done all sorts of wonderful things and all sorts of dastardly things to get these pieces of paper. Anything of worth that can be converted into these pieces of paper is also much sought after.

Excluding the misguided people who do terrible things to others in their rapacious pursuit of money, how is one able to accumulate more money? Simple. Understand that money is merely a recognition of worth. If you are worth more, you get paid more. Let me give you an example:

Think of a bus driver. Now think of a pilot. Who gets paid more?

The pilot gets paid more. Why? Because he or she accepts more responsibility for what they do. They are worth more to the marketplace. Naturally, as you would expect, the pilot also has to train more than the bus driver. So, there is another hint.

Responsibility and training - these are the things that most people shun.

To be paid more, all that you need to do is increase your worth. There are many ways to do this. But will you pursue them? Or will you do what the masses do by forever looking for the quick-fix solution - lotteries, inheritances - the so-called "easy money."

Let me tell you this - "easy money" is nowhere near as good as "earned money." For one, easy money is almost always frivolously wasted and cannot be replaced. Earned money has more prestige and comes as a result of a method that can be repeated, meaning that it can be replaced.

You can earn more by becoming more valuable in the marketplace. That is a worthwhile goal. Trying to do it any other way is a fallacy. That is just a hopeful wish.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

Gary Simpson

Gary Simpson lives in Perth, Western Australia.

His passions are writing (of course), reading, karate, body building, investment and growing tropical palms.

His website is devoted to helping people achieve greater success and self esteem through personal development.

Gary is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and newspapers. His articles and short stories appear in many forums. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they are now being shared worldwide.

He has written eight books:

LARGE VOLUMES:

- "Journey,Life and Destiny" - personal development (2 vols)

- "How to Save $1000's and Increase Your Personal Net Wealth"

- "Brain Training - Affirmations to Strengthen Mind and Body"

- "Strike Back 1" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

- "Strike Back 2" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

SHORT VOLUMES:

- "The Power of Choice" (FREE e-book) - a popular story about a man looking back on his achievements from the hereafter. It is a poignant story that has received accolades from all over the world - from Iceland to Canada to Great Britain to Morocco to New Zealand to the Czech Republic to the USA - and dozens of countries in between.

The Power of Choice is a free resource and can be downloaded directly from Gary's website.

- "Using Motivation and Self Esteem to Excel in Everything You Do" (FREE e-book) - valuable resource to introduce newcomers to the wonders of personal development. This book is available on request. You can secure your copy by leaving your name and email address (no "hotmail" addresses accepted) at his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website.

Gary's unique approach has been shaped by his 35 year pursuit of karate and his 15 year study of the principles of motivation. He has two personal mottos. These are:

"Excellence of Execution."

and

"Imagination is Infinite."

You can learn a great deal about all matters regarding motivation and self esteem at his website. You will find articles, interviews with achievers, motivational messages and other material. You can even opt to receive free material by visiting the "zenspiration" page.

The Motivation and Self Esteem for Success website was constructed by Linda Caroll who Gary has called the "Kyoshi of Website Design" (In karate terminology Kyoshi means "Polished Master"). Visit Gary's website to see for yourself.