"富人关注他们的资产栏，而其他人则关注他们的收入报表。"

The core idea here is about mindset. Those who are wealthy think in terms of building and acquiring assets—things that put money in their pockets over time. On the other hand, most people are just obsessed with their income and expenses, what comes in from their paycheck and what goes out for bills. They’re stuck in a cycle, while the wealthy are busy planting seeds that’ll grow into money trees.

Historically, this concept was popularized by Robert Kiyosaki in his book "Rich Dad Poor Dad". He contrasted the financial philosophies of his "rich dad" and "poor dad". The rich dad taught him that accumulating assets is the key to financial independence. This wisdom comes from observing the habits and decisions of wealthy individuals who prioritize investments—like real estate, stocks, or businesses—over merely saving money from their salary.

So, picture this: Sarah’s a graphic designer making a decent salary. She’s good at her job, but she’s always stressed about money. Every month, she tracks her income and expenses meticulously, but she’s just treading water. Meanwhile, her friend, Mike, also a designer, seems to be on a different track. Mike’s got his eye on the prize—he’s bought a small rental property, invested in a few stocks, and is even working on launching a side business.

A couple of years down the line, Sarah’s still doing the same old shuffle. But Mike? He’s got rental income, dividends from his stocks, and his side business is picking up. He’s not just relying on his salary. He’s created multiple streams of income. That’s what focusing on the asset column looks like in real life.

So how can you apply this to your life? Start by identifying what assets you could begin to acquire. Maybe it’s time to look at that savings account and think about investing a portion of it. Could you buy a small rental property, or maybe start a side hustle that could grow into something substantial? The key is to shift your mindset from just getting a paycheck to building wealth over time. It means being a bit uncomfortable now for a more secure future later.

Imagine this scenario: You’re at a crossroads. You’ve got a steady job, but you’re realizing that just working for a paycheck isn’t getting you where you want to be. So, you decide to take a different path. You start small. Maybe it’s investing in a few shares of stock. You educate yourself on how to manage and grow that stock. Then, you save up and buy a small rental property. Sure, it’s a risk, but you've done your homework. Over time, your stock grows, your property appreciates, and you’re getting rental income each month. You’re no longer just a salaried employee—you’ve got assets working for you.

By focusing on assets, you’re playing the long game. And yeah, it takes time and patience, but imagine the payoff. Think about the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve got more than one source of income. It’s about breaking out of the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck and building something that can provide financial security and freedom. Now isn’t that worth striving for?

So, grab a cup of coffee, sit down, and start planning. Your future self will thank you.