Designing Our Wealthiest Lives
Designing a Wealthier Life is a Creative Act
I believe designing a wealthier life is a creative act – one that we can all intentionally pursue. While it’s easy to feel that we aren’t naturally creative, legendary music producer Rick Rubin, reminds us in his wonderful book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, that creativity is inherent in all of us. He writes:
“Creativity is not a rare ability. It is not difficult to access. Creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human. It’s our birthright. And it’s for all of us.
The goal is not to fit in. If anything, it’s to amplify the differences, what doesn’t fit, the special characteristics unique to how you see the world.
Instead of sounding like others, value your own voice. Develop it.”
As I read Rick’s insightful words, I realized how much his perspective resonates with our work at Wealth Architects. Our process is ultimately about helping clients uncover their unique essence and design a life in alignment with their core values, leading to greater meaning, fulfillment and their wealthiest life.
What Is a Wealthier Life?
A wealthier life is not one-size-fits-all; it’s deeply personal.
While many assume that building wealth is purely financial, my 30 years of experience tell a different story. Money can provide options and security, but true wealth goes far deeper.
Based on our observations, we have found the following factors contribute to greater wealth and well-being;
- Finding peace of mind and security.
- Creating the freedom and control to prioritize what matters most.
- Living with intention and purpose.
- Investing our time and money in intrinsically valued pursuits.
- Developing a mindset of “enough.”
- Experiencing love, joy, meaning and fulfillment in life.
We can have all the money in the world, but if we lack balance and holistic well-being, what is a wealthy life? This question has guided my journey and the foundation of our work at Wealth Architects
Blueprints for Building a Wealthier Life
How do we go about building a wealthier life? It sounds simple, but it’s not simplistic. It requires intentionality and ongoing refinement.
Imagine your life as an unformed block of marble. The question is: What will you sculpt within it?
Like artists, we must chip away to reveal our masterpiece – what’s essential, unique and true to ourselves. At Wealth Architects, we use design thinking principles to uncover your core values and create a life that aligns with your aspirations. This process involves reflection, experimentation, and continual sculpting.
Living authentically and intentionally means defining your wealthiest life on your terms – not conforming to someone else’s vision of success.
Core Values as Our Compass
Our core values act as the compass guiding us toward a wealthier life. These values should be intrinsically fulfilling, providing motivation and meaning.
Research from Gallup identifies five foundational elements of our well-being:
- Physical and mental health
- Social relationships
- Financial stability
- Career satisfaction
- Community engagement
At Wealth Architects, we help clients use these evidence-based building blocks to design thriving, holistic lives.
We prosper far beyond financial success when we grow our minds, bodies and spirit, create more loving relationships with our family and friends, pursue meaningful callings and feel more connected to our communities.
When we align our time and resources with our values, we cultivate greater self-worth—independent of our net worth—and create lives filled with meaning.
A Personal Vision
To begin architecting our wealthiest lives we need a vision for who we want to become. For me, this journey started at age 17, during one of the most challenging moments of my life: delivering my father’s eulogy after he passed away from lung cancer. Standing in front of the church that day, I felt an overwhelming connection to the values my father had instilled in me. For the first time, I glimpsed a vision for a meaningful life rooted in purpose.
That moment set me on a path of self-discovery, guided by questions like: Who am I? What do I value? How can I use my life to make an impact? These questions have guided me ever since and continue to shape how we approach our work at Wealth Architects.
Reflecting on our mortality can be uncomfortable, but it clarifies what truly matters. Ask yourself: What would you want people to say about you at the end of your life? Reflecting on this question helps guide us toward a vision for the life we wish to live.
Overcoming Distractions
The path to a wealthier life is not without obstacles.
In today’s noisy world, it’s also easy to lose sight of our intrinsic values. External pressures and distractions: social media comparisons, societal expectations, or material pursuits can easily derail us. Life transitions such as career changes, divorce, or financial loss can pull us away from our purpose and what truly matters.
In these moments, it’s tempting to sculpt someone else’s story instead of our own. We may chase superficial “junk values” that provide temporary satisfaction but leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
We live in an era where digital connectivity often replaces authentic human connection. Despite being constantly “plugged in,” we can paradoxically feel increasingly isolated.
To resist these distractions requires courage: the courage to tune out external noise and focus on our values, uniqueness and intrinsic goals.
The Role of Community
Connection to community is a cornerstone of a wealthier life. As humans, we thrive when we feel connected to others who share our values and aspirations. We have a strong fundamental need to feel like we’re “in it” with someone else.
Community can take many forms: family members who support us unconditionally; colleagues who inspire us; or even one trusted friend who walks alongside us on our journey.
Take, for example, Eliud Kipchoge, the first marathoner to break the two-hour barrier. He is an inspiring model for me. His achievement wasn’t just about individual talent; it was made possible by an entire team working together toward a shared goal. Kipchoge often speaks about the power of running with others in the Kenyan community—a reminder that extraordinary accomplishments are rarely achieved alone.
At Wealth Architects, we believe no one should navigate their journey alone. We strive to create authentic communities for our clients, where shared purpose and support help foster personal growth and fulfillment.
The Power of Coaching
Another essential element in building a wealthier life is coaching. Finding someone we feel is connected to our cause.
Good coaches give us confidence to believe in our dreams, help us discover our strengths, and guide us toward realizing our full potential. They don’t just tell us what we want to hear – they tell us what we need to hear while supporting us in crafting our unique vision.
Coaches are all around us in every walk of life if we look for them. Whether it’s a mentor, friend or colleague, their guidance can help align us with our values and become the best versions of ourselves.
The great ones have a way of touching our lives if we have the vulnerability to seek their help.
Courage to Sculpt Your Masterpiece
In the end, creating a wealthier life requires courage, no matter what age or stage of our life. It requires the courage to chip away at what doesn’t belong, to reject societal expectations and to remain true to ourselves.
Michelangelo’s David serves as a powerful metaphor for this process. Michelangelo believed that each block of marble contained a statue inside of it, and it was the artist’s job to reveal it.
Designing your wealthiest life means doing the same: removing everything that isn’t true to who you are, so your unique essence can shine through.
The Legacy of a Wealthy Life
Each of us is both artist and masterpiece, with the ability to shape our wealthiest lives filled with meaning, purpose and impact.
If we embrace the courage to live authentically, align our core values, and sculpt a life that reflects our truest selves, our journey will be the legacy that will inspire future generations to come.
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Copyright © 2025 Wealth Architects, LLC
The information provided in this commentary is intended to be informative and not intended to be advice relative to any investment or portfolio offered through Wealth Architects. The views expressed in this commentary reflect the opinion of the author based on data available as of the date this article [essay] was written and is subject to change without notice. This commentary is not a complete analysis of any sector, industry or security. Individual investors should consult with their financial advisor before implementing changes in their portfolio based on opinions expressed. The information provided in this commentary is not a solicitation for the investment management or other services offered by Wealth Architects. References incorporated into the report [essay] from third party sources are as of the date specified and are believed to be reliable. Wealth Architects is not responsible for errors in the third party data.
Chief Wealth Architect, CEO & Founder
