In this note, we will explore 9 things or attributes that are far more valuable than any amount of money.

When starting a business or any worthwhile pursuit in life, whether it is full-time or part-time, we all know the value of having adequate capital or money…But you have probably heard of people who started a business or organization with little or no money and then went on to great success and fortune. “How?” you may ask.
Well, I believe there are actually some things that are more valuable than money that can lead to your entrepreneurial success. Let me give you the list.

1. Time

Time is more valuable than money. The time you set aside should not be wasted and not be given away. The time you set aside to invest in a business that brings value to the marketplace with the hope of making a profit can be considered money time.

How valuable is time? Time properly invested is worth a fortune. Time wasted can be devastating. Time invested can perform miracles, so do not spend time as you would spending money. Invest your time so that it provides wealth for the future.

2. Desperation

When you have very little money you work from the perspective of desperation. Not in a stupid manner, but in a manner that is wise. You make sure that every dollar invested produces a good return because you have no choice. It is amazing how enterprising you can become when it is do or die financially. Desperation can be a powerful incentive. At this point, you say, “I must make this work.”

3. Determination

Determination is the outgrowth of desperation. If you know you have no choice then you must become very determined. Just like a snowball gathers more snow as it rolls down the hill, so determination allows you to continue to grow when there are no other choices. You can say to yourself “If it works once, it will work again.”

4. Courage

Courage is more valuable than money. If you only have a few dollars and a lot of courage, I’m telling you, you have a good future ahead of you. Have courage in spite of the circumstances. Humans can do the most incredible things no matter what happens. Haven’t we heard the stories? From the stories of Victor Frankl or Corrie Ten Boom from the Nazi concentration camps to the heroic stories from 9/11, these are unbelievable stories of being in the depths of hell and finally making it out. You can’t sell humans short. Courage in spite of, not because of, but in spite of the circumstances is what we all need. When starting a business with no money, you also need the courage to continue on when the times are most bleak. Perform heroic acts of personal sacrifice today so that you will have a chance of a better tomorrow even when there are no guarantees.

5. Ambition

Ambition is more valuable than money. Ambition, when linked to courage, determination, and desperation, allows you to invest the time necessary in the proper activities that will produce a return.

6. Faith

Once you put into motion the first five precepts then we start to gain the faith needed to survive. At first, our faith will be weak and shaky, but the more that we move forward with confidence the more faith that we will gain. As it says in Hebrews 11:1-2, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”

It is with faith that you start to believe in yourself. You realize that maybe you can make this happen. Your self-esteem starts to soar. These are investments that are unmatched. Money can’t touch it. What if you had a million dollars and no faith? You’d be poor. You wouldn’t be rich.

7. Ingenuity

Ingenuity is putting your brains to work. Until you are really challenged, you’ve put about 10% of your brainpower to work. What if you engaged the other 90%? You can’t believe what can happen. Humans can come up with the most intriguing things to do. Ingenuity. What’s ingenuity worth? A fortune. It is more valuable than money. All you need is a few dollars and plenty of ingenuity. Figuring out a way to make it work and not stopping.

8. Passion

What is a substitute for passion? It’s not money. Money can’t buy passion. Passion is more valuable than a million dollars. If you have a million dollars without passion, you have no life. You are ineffective. Passion is like the unseen magic that moves people to commit, to make decisions, to act, and to respond.

9. Personality

You may have to spruce up and sharpen up your own personality. You have plenty of personality. Just get it developed to where it is effective every day, it’s effective no matter who you talk to whether it is a child, a business person, a rich person, or a poor person. You need a unique personality that is at home anywhere.

One of my mentors taught me you have to learn to be just as comfortable with yourself, whether it is in a little run down home with an old friend or as a guest of someone of great prominence that you are in awe of. Move with ease whether it is with the rich or with the poor. And it makes no difference to you who is rich or who is poor. You know you have the chance to have a unique relationship with whomever. That kind of personality is comfortable. That kind of personality does not get bent out of shape. Don’t judge others by their status in life.

And lastly, let’s not forget attractiveness and humbleness. Being an attractive person with a good dose of humility is the key to creating a winning scenario in business and in life.

This entire list is more valuable than money. With one dollar and the list, I just gave you, the world is yours. It belongs to you, whatever piece of it you desire and whatever development you wish for your life. I’ve given you the secret assets. These kind of assets are more valuable than money and can secure your future and fortune. And best of all, they are all free. Remember that you do not lack the resources for success, it is up to you to utilize them.

Even when the times are difficult and you would are tempted to give up, let’s remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Galatia 6:9-10, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”