Not long ago, I had a conversation in one of my shops that stayed with me.
A customer and I were talking about life; not in a dramatic way, just one of those honest, end-of-year reflections. We realised we used to study together in the library when we were about 17. I’m 35 now.
Nearly two decades later, we laughed about how much we’d learned; and how little school actually prepared us for building wealth in the world we’re living in now.
Not just money.
Wealth.
And it raised a question I think many hard-working people quietly carry as another year approaches:
What kind of wealth do I actually want to build next?
Most People Are Chasing Wealth Without Defining It
When we’re younger, wealth usually looks like numbers.
More income.
More assets.
More growth.
There’s nothing wrong with that; especially if you’ve spent years just trying to get by. Stability and financial comfort matter.
But as time goes on, another layer appears.
You start noticing that:
- some people earn well but are always exhausted
- some people grow businesses but lose all their time
- some people “win” on paper but feel strangely empty
It becomes clear that not all wealth feels the same.
There Are Different Types of Wealth; and No Single Right Answer
Over the years, I’ve noticed three common directions people drift toward.
None of them are wrong.
They just lead to very different lives.
1. Financial Security Wealth
This is the wealth of stability.
Being able to:
- pay bills without stress
- stop checking your bank balance constantly
- feel safe, calm, and steady
For many people, this alone would change everything.
2. Growth & Status Wealth
This is the wealth most people talk about.
More businesses.
More scale.
More recognition.
It can be exciting and motivating; but it often demands time, energy, and pressure in return.
3. Lifestyle & Peace Wealth
This is the kind Tom Hardy once described perfectly:
“Some people don’t understand that sitting in your own house, in peace, eating snacks, and minding your own business is priceless.”
This kind of wealth isn’t loud.
It’s quiet.
It’s space.
It’s presence.
And it’s deeply underrated.
What Coffee DRS Taught Me About Wealth (and Trade-Offs)
When I first started Coffee DRS, I dreamed big.
I imagined coffee shops everywhere.
Every suburb.
Constant growth.
And for a season, that made sense.
But after building multiple locations, something became clear very quickly:
Every new layer of growth didn’t just add opportunity;
it added responsibility, pressure, and time demands.
More staff.
More decisions.
More things that needed attention.
That doesn’t make growth bad.
It just makes it expensive in a different currency…..time.
And as my family grew, I had to ask a quieter, more important question:
What kind of wealth do I want this season of life to support?
Right now, having margin at home matters.
Being present matters.
Not filling every spare hour with expansion matters.
There will be other seasons for more growth.
This one requires balance.
Right now; being present at home matters.
This Is Where You Come In
As 2026 approaches, this isn’t about copying my choices.
It’s about making yours consciously.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want my days to feel like next year?
- What am I willing to trade; and what am I not?
- Where does “more” actually stop adding value?
You don’t need to chase every version of wealth.
You only need to build the one that fits your life right now.
A Simple Reflection for the Year Ahead
Before setting goals, try this:
Finish this sentence honestly:
“In 2026, I want my life to feel ______.”
Then ask:
- Does my current definition of success support that feeling?
- Or am I aiming for a version of wealth I don’t actually want to live with?
Clarity here saves years of effort later.
Final Thought
Wealth isn’t just about what you accumulate.
It’s about what your life can hold.
Money.
Time.
Energy.
Presence.
Peace.
The older I get, the more I realise:
the richest life is the one you can actually enjoy living.
And whatever version of wealth you choose to build next;
you’re allowed to build it intentionally.
