Frank has just achieved his third promotion. Long ago, he decided to leave his hometown by the seaside. After years of sacrifice, his family and friends congratulate him and share their admiration. Unfortunately, Frank’s not happy.

When he finished university, his peers would’ve given anything to earn a modest income. Those were challenging times. However, Frank, being an ambitious young man, decided to seek opportunities in the big city where people earn much more.

Without a doubt, Frank has achieved his goal, but he will soon realise there is little to celebrate.

Frank’s overwhelmed by the relentless pace and noise. The constant buzz and rush of city life starkly contrast with the peaceful, rhythmic waves of his hometown. Despite enjoying the cultural diversity and fun activities, he misses his dog walks, the thrill of sea sports, and the warmth of his people.

Sure, he’s gained invaluable professional experience and exposure to innovative ideas, but there’s something fundamental that Frank has lost in this process: his quality of life.

Frank has realised that the things he misses most can’t be bought with money.

Millions of people wake up every morning wishing to earn more, but few stop to think about the things that money can’t buy.

The key is to understand the difference between value and price.

Value is the enjoyment, pleasure, or convenience that someone or something provides. Price is simply value measured in money.

The fact that something has a unique price doesn’t mean its value is the same for everyone. While price is determined by society (or as an economist would say, by “supply and demand”), value is subjective.

Only you have the power to decide the value of things. Don’t let social pressure, advertising campaigns, or social media take that power away from you.

Frank always thought about increasing his salary in the city, without wondering for a moment if he could turn that money into the lifestyle he values. Similarly, many people end up working in the wrong place, with the wrong boss, or in a toxic environment.

Whatever the reason, if ‘earning more’ doesn’t provide the lifestyle you desire, it means you have overestimated what money can do for you.

In addition to not achieving what you really want, your new lifestyle and social circle often create new ‘needs’ that you didn’t have before. Do you think an increase in your income doesn’t encourage you to spend more?

When you surround yourself with colleagues and friends with high purchasing power, your lifestyle changes. Because you’ve earned it; because you’ve worked hard to get where you are; because you can.

This means that Frank has not only lost quality of life to earn his salary, but he has also convinced himself that he needs it. Frank has created his own psychological prison, where money (despite being just a unit of measurement) has taken on more importance than the value of things.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to earn more, as long as you don’t lose sight of the how and why.