What does it really take to become part of the top 0.1% in any field? While most people assume the path is built on aggressive financial goals and relentless pursuit of money, popular financial educator on social media Akshat Shrivastava offers a different view. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Shrivastava shared that success at the highest level is less about chasing wealth and more about mindset, personal development, and sustained excellence.
Chasing Money May Lead to Burnout
Shrivastava warned that an obsession with making money can often backfire. He explained that many professionals, even those earning over $1 million annually, report feeling deeply burned out. The issue, according to him, lies in the motivation. When financial gain is the sole focus, individuals tend to run out of energy within a few years, unable to maintain the pace or find lasting satisfaction.
This pattern is not uncommon, he said, and highlights the limitations of a purely money-driven approach.
Excellence and Accountability Matter More
Instead of focusing on external rewards, Shrivastava advised prioritising internal goals like accountability and skill-building. He stressed the importance of setting high standards for oneself and staying in control of one’s journey. The mindset of constantly improving and taking full ownership, he said, increases the likelihood of doing well over time.
Improving the quality of one’s thinking, he added, is one of the most important steps in the process of wealth-building. Rather than following shortcuts, individuals should work on becoming genuinely better at what they do.
Success Comes from Merit, Not Just Motivation
Shrivastava acknowledged that financial goals can be useful in the beginning, especially to spark momentum. However, to maintain success, he said it’s critical to focus on merit and long-term growth. Those who excel in their fields—who become truly good at something—naturally attract value and recognition, including monetary rewards.
He also pointed out that real fulfillment comes from the knowledge that your work is meaningful and appreciated by others. That sense of contribution, he believes, goes far beyond what money can measure.
Chasing Money May Lead to Burnout
Shrivastava warned that an obsession with making money can often backfire. He explained that many professionals, even those earning over $1 million annually, report feeling deeply burned out. The issue, according to him, lies in the motivation. When financial gain is the sole focus, individuals tend to run out of energy within a few years, unable to maintain the pace or find lasting satisfaction.
This pattern is not uncommon, he said, and highlights the limitations of a purely money-driven approach.
If you are in top 0.1% of any field, money will follow. But, getting to that top 0.1% requires a different thought process.
— Akshat Shrivastava (@Akshat_World) July 26, 2025
If chasing money is what excites you, your odds of getting to 0.1% would be fairly low. You will get exhausted in 5 years.
This is not uncommon: I often…
Excellence and Accountability Matter More
Instead of focusing on external rewards, Shrivastava advised prioritising internal goals like accountability and skill-building. He stressed the importance of setting high standards for oneself and staying in control of one’s journey. The mindset of constantly improving and taking full ownership, he said, increases the likelihood of doing well over time.
Improving the quality of one’s thinking, he added, is one of the most important steps in the process of wealth-building. Rather than following shortcuts, individuals should work on becoming genuinely better at what they do.
Success Comes from Merit, Not Just Motivation
Shrivastava acknowledged that financial goals can be useful in the beginning, especially to spark momentum. However, to maintain success, he said it’s critical to focus on merit and long-term growth. Those who excel in their fields—who become truly good at something—naturally attract value and recognition, including monetary rewards.
He also pointed out that real fulfillment comes from the knowledge that your work is meaningful and appreciated by others. That sense of contribution, he believes, goes far beyond what money can measure.
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