"Money is a byproduct of helping people at scale"

If you break it down to its core, the idea is pretty straightforward: the more people you help, the more money you’re likely to make. Essentially, solving big problems for a large number of people often leads to financial success. It’s not just about chasing the dollar; it’s about creating value and making a difference where it really matters.

Historically, think back to some of the most successful entrepreneurs and innovators. Henry Ford, for instance, didn’t set out just to make a fortune. He wanted to make cars affordable and accessible to the average person. By achieving that, he revolutionized the automobile industry and made a ton of money in the process. It's not an isolated incident either—Steve Jobs with personal computing, or more recently, Elon Musk with electric cars and space travel, have shown that focusing on solving problems and helping people at scale often leads to wealth.

Take the example of a small start-up, say a food delivery service. At first, they might be serving just a small neighborhood. They work out the kinks, ensuring their service is reliable, maybe even delightful. Word gets around—people love not having to cook every night or drive out to get their favorite meals. As demand grows, they expand their service area, invest in better technology, and partner with more restaurants. Eventually, they’re serving an entire city, then multiple cities. By helping people save time and enjoy their meals, the company grows. And with growth, revenue streams widen. The founders didn’t start by thinking, “How can we get rich?”—they started by thinking, “How can we make life easier for people?”

So how can you apply this? Start by identifying a problem that needs solving. Look around you—what’s something that frustrates people, wastes their time, or could be made more efficient? Think of ways to address that issue. Focus on creating something that genuinely helps people, and don't worry too much about the money early on. If you’re making a real impact, the financial success will follow. It’s all about scale—how many people can you help, and how significantly can you improve their lives?

Imagine this: you’re a software developer with a knack for productivity tools. You notice all your friends and colleagues struggle with managing their to-do lists and staying organized. So, you build an app that helps people streamline their tasks, integrate their calendars, and even get reminders for their deadlines. You start by giving it away for free to get feedback and make it better. People love it—it’s simple, effective, and makes their lives easier. You start getting more downloads, your user base grows, and soon enough, companies are reaching out to get enterprise versions for their teams. Before you know it, you're running a successful business.

In essence, if you focus on making a real difference in people’s lives, money tends to follow. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s a practical approach to building something that lasts. So next time you find yourself chasing the next big paycheck, take a step back and ask, “How can I help more people?” The rest will take care of itself.