Slower, Wealthier, Happier

I used to think that money came from work. That’s what I was taught. You go to school, you get a good job, you work hard, and then somehow, magically, the money shows up. And for years, I operated under that belief. I believed that the more I worked, the more I’d earn. The harder I hustled, the more successful I’d be.

But here’s the truth: That’s not how wealth is built.

And I know this might sting a little, especially if you were raised like I was—to believe that hard work and long hours were the only ways to get ahead. But I’m not here to sugarcoat it. I’m here to tell you the truth.

I make my money by helping people.
And I grow my money by investing in things that reproduce after their own kind.

That’s it.
That’s the secret.
And the reason why so many of us aren’t seeing it is because we were taught something different.

---

What I Was Taught About Money (And Why It Was All Wrong)

I was taught that you trade your time for money. That you go to work, punch the clock, collect your check, and do it all over again next week. And if you work really hard, maybe you get a raise. Maybe you move up a little. But the structure stays the same.

What I didn’t understand is that wealthy people don’t operate like that.
Wealthy people don’t trade their time for money—they trade their knowledge for money.
They solve problems, and they put their money in places that reproduce.

See, there are only two ways to truly generate wealth:

1. Solve a problem.
   
2. Put your money in spaces where it grows on its own.
   

That’s it.
It took me years to figure that out. Years of believing that if I could just work a little harder, hustle a little more, sleep a little less, I’d get there. But the truth is, I was playing the wrong game.

---

The Truth About Work and Wealth

Look, I’m not saying that hard work doesn’t matter. It absolutely does. But hard work alone won’t make you wealthy. Let me say that again for the women in the back: Hard work alone will not make you wealthy.

And you know why? Because money doesn’t come from labor. It comes from leverage.

I remember the first time I really understood this. I was sitting at my desk, working on a project that was taking me hours to complete. I was good at it. I knew what I was doing. And I knew the client would be happy. But when I looked at the check that came in after all that effort, I thought to myself, There has to be more than this.

And that’s when I started learning.
I started studying how money actually flows.
I started understanding that wealth is not just earned—it’s grown.

---

How I Really Make My Money

Here’s the honest truth about how I really make my money:

• I help people. I solve problems. That’s the first step. You solve a problem for someone, and you get paid. That’s the starting point.
  
• But I don’t stop there. That’s where most people stop. They take their paycheck, pay the bills, and go back to work.
  
• I take a portion of what I make, and I put it in spaces where it grows.
  

I invest in assets.
Not just savings accounts—because let’s be real, a savings account won’t build wealth.
I invest in things that reproduce.
Things that generate money while I’m sleeping.

Here’s what I learned that changed everything for me:
Money flows after money.
If you only ever exchange your time for it, you will always have to show up and perform.
But if you put it in spaces that reproduce, it grows whether you’re awake or not.

---

Understanding the Two-Part Strategy

Here’s the strategy I wish someone had told me about years ago:

1. Solve a Problem.
   
   • You get paid for solving problems. Whether you’re working a job, running a business, or freelancing, your income is tied to your ability to fix something for someone else.
     
   • But here’s the catch: If you only solve problems, you are constantly on the clock. Your money stops when you stop.
     
2. Put That Money to Work.
   
   • This is where the game changes. You take what you earn from solving problems, and you put it in spaces that pay you back.
     
   • Real estate. Stocks. Dividends. Cryptocurrency. Businesses that operate without you being there.
     
   • The money you make goes into spaces where it grows on its own. That way, you’re not constantly hustling to bring in more. The money starts working for you.
     

---

Why I’m Not Hiding It Anymore

For a long time, I didn’t want to talk about it.
Maybe I was afraid that people would judge me.
Maybe I thought it would sound like I was bragging.
Maybe I just wasn’t ready to be honest about how the game really works.

But now? I want every Black woman I know to understand this.
I want you to know that the grind alone is not enough.
I want you to know that you deserve to have money that grows while you rest.
I want you to know that you can have a soft life and a wealthy one.

And I want you to know that I’m still walking this out.
I’m still building.
I’m still growing my investments.
I’m still learning every single day.

But the difference now is that I’m not just working for money—I’m making it work for me.

---

Let’s Talk About It

I want to know—have you been working hard but not seeing the growth you want? Have you only been doing part one and haven’t stepped into part two? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Because Sis, solving problems is beautiful. But building wealth? That’s the real game.

Continue this conversation with women just like you in Wealthy Women Conversations on Facebook. Join us, share your story, and discover how slowing down can create space for more.