It is a common misconception that wealth starts with specific insights or a “money hunch.” In reality, mindset comes first. RMIT’s commandment number one is that one should not chase money but do what one believes is right. When hearing “It’s not about the money” from rich people, we roll our eyes. Little do we know, it is always about the money, just not in a way we are used to thinking about it. Rather than being an ultimate goal, funds serve as an indicator of success.

Seeking money for its own sake has never worked out. Ironically, wealth chooses those who do not aspire to it. Putting money first prevents you from finding the true impact of your actions in the world. Randa J. Kirk, an American billionaire and investor, states: “If you find something you really love and that society finds valuable, then the money comes rather easily.”

The founder of Hawaiian Tropic, Ron Rice, is worth $700 million. Yet, he said he never had a plan to become a multimillionaire. All he wanted was to become better than the year before. When Christel DeHaan came to America, she was looking for a way to make money. Her intention was not great wealth but the well-being of her family. Ten years later, Christel became the owner of an international exchange company. She then sold it for $825 million.

RMIT’s commandment number two encourages a person to know oneself and one’s strengths. The common trait of all outstanding individuals is that they understand who they are, as well as their motivations and talents. You are also capable of directing all your energy and effort to activities that you have a knack for.

In the same way that we determine our strengths, we have to acknowledge our limitations. While at university, Jonathan Nelson took a course on Beethoven. He had little knowledge about classical music, but thought it might be fun. Many of his classmates were innately gifted, whereas Nelson barely passed the course. This experience showed Nelson the importance of “recognizing one’s relative skills and abilities.” Today, he is worth over $2 billion, making him the richest man in Rhode Island.