I recently came across a quote from Robert Kiyosaki on Facebook that caught my attention. He wrote, “Assets produce income whether you work or not.” That one sentence summarizes a different mindset and powerful shift about earning money.
The Cashflow Quadrant: A Different Way to Earn
Kiyosaki is referring to the right side of his Cashflow Quadrant—where business owners and investors reside. Unlike employees and self-employed individuals, these people use leverage, build systems, assets, and investments that generate income with or without traditional 40 hour a week direct effort.
Trading Time vs. Building Assets
The idea of owning an income-producing system really resonates with me.
Most people, including myself for many years, earn money by trading their time, or renting time. You work an hour, you get paid. Or you are paid a salary. But when you build an asset—like a business, digital product, system or online platform—you’re investing time upfront to create something that keeps working for you, even when you’re not actively involved. Some people refer to this money as passive income, ongoing income, or ‘mailbox’ money.
It Still Takes Work—Just a Different Kind
That doesn’t mean it’s effortless. In fact, I believe most assets require ongoing care and attention. There’s still work involved, especially in getting an asset built, and I think that’s a good thing. I value hard work. But I also value leverage—being able to work smarter and multiply your efforts through systems and scalable models. Why don’t they teach this concept in school?
The Power of Building Multiple Streams of Income
What excites me most is the ability to build assets repeatedly over time. Have you ever heard that multiple streams of income are better than one? I believe I can give credit to Warren Buffet for that. By doing so, you gradually reclaim more of your time, gain financial peace, and open up the freedom to live with intention—whether that’s traveling, spending more time with family, or pursuing meaningful impact.
Asset Ideas That Interest Me
Some types of assets I find interesting include:
- Online platforms such as blogs (monetization with advertising)
- E-commerce (selling products online)
- Affiliate marketing (representing brands you know and trust)
- Network marketing (especially with a proven system, strong leadership, coaching and mentorship)
- Self publishing books
- Building software, although cost prohibitive for many
These all offer the potential for recurring income if approached with the right mindset and strategy.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be the first to admit—I’m still learning and growing. I’ve spent most of my adult life in the traditional employee world. But through this website, I hope to inspire others to explore the world of assets and take steps toward financial independence. Again, it’s a shift in mindset and not something I understood as I started my career.
Do you currently have an income stream outside your 9–5? If not, what’s holding you back? Share below!
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