Money Is Not Oxygen

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Staffan Rydin | CEO Coach | Master Certified Integral Coach™


As long as you see money as a scarce resource, you will continually inconvenience yourself in order to get it. As soon as you have made yourself the scarce resource, the money will inconvenience itself to get to you.” – Michael Neill


Many years ago, a man was sitting in quiet contemplation by a riverbank when he was disturbed by a beggar from the local village.

“Where is the stone?” the beggar demanded. “I must have the precious stone!”

The man smiled at him. “What stone do you seek?”

“I had a dream,” the beggar answered, barely able to slow his words enough to speak, “and in that dream a voice told me that if I went to the riverbank, I would find a man who would give me a precious stone that would end my poverty forever!”

The man looked thoughtful, then reached into his bag and pulled out a large diamond.

“I wonder if this is the stone,” he said kindly. “I found it on the path. If you’d like it, you may certainly have it.”

The beggar couldn’t believe his luck, and he snatched the stone and ran back to the village before the man could change his mind.

One year later, the beggar, now dressed in the clothes of a wealthy man, came back to the riverbank in search of his anonymous benefactor.

“You have returned, my friend!” said the man, who was again sitting in his favourite spot enjoying the peaceful flow of the river. “What has happened?”

“Many things have happened to me because of the diamond you gave me so graciously. I have become wealthy, found a wife, and bought a home. I am now able to give employment to others and to do what I want, when I want, with whomever I want.”

“So why have you returned?” asked the man. 

“Please,” the beggar said. “Teach me whatever it is inside you that allowed you to give me that stone so freely.” 


The key to a lifetime of financial security is created through a series of shifts—of mindset, of assumptions and of habits. It’s accomplished by deep coaching with the intention to master the inner game of wealth. 

I know this because, after 10 years of coaching hundreds of people (and countless years worrying about money myself), I’ve learned that the state of your bank account will never create a lasting sense of financial security. 

I’ve worked with many wealthy people who worry about money and less wealthy people who don’t worry about money.

There are even people who take their own lives as they see their net worth dwindle … while still remaining multi-millionaires or billionaires.  

Clearly there is an inner problem here. It’s not about the money. 

The key to a lifetime of financial security comes from:

  • your level of self-value
  • your capacity to create money whenever you want
  • your degree of mastery in the art of creating value for others (service)

Underlying each of these is a series of deeper inner breakthroughs and shifts that can be taught and learned. For example, a client of mine, who is an entrepreneur and owner of a successful consulting firm, recently exclaimed: 

“It seems like after every coaching session I create a new client!”

This happens because as you master the inner game of wealth your external value goes up. What you appreciate, appreciates. A bold, creative, enthusiastic, and service-minded individual is, needless to say, more powerful than one who is not.

Realize this: it’s only your habitual thoughts and beliefs about money that give it any power over you.

Money is not oxygen. Your well being is not dependent on it, unless you make it so.

Instead, master the inner game of wealth. This pays immediate and big dividends (in more ways than money). And in a time of crisis, these dividends tend to become astronomical. For you, your business, your team, and your loved ones.

You never suffer from a money problem. You suffer from an idea problem.” – Robert H. Schuller


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About Me:

Over the last 10 years, I have been the personal coach to some of Canada’s most successful Founder CEOs and to 250+ high-performers in business, sports and the arts.

In addition to being a Master Certified Integral Coach™, I am a trained body-centered psychotherapist and a dedicated practitioner of Zen Buddhism and mindfulness. My coaching practice is enhanced by my experiences as an Arctic Ranger in the Swedish Armed Forces, my engineering background and three years as CEO of a tech start-up with 70 employees.

My core promise is to create powerful personal and business breakthroughs.

My core values are truth, mastery and joy.

To apply for a free powerful coaching conversation email staffan@staffanrydin.com.

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