Living a Life of Greatness: My Journey to Financial Freedom and How You Can Build Yours Too

Introduction: Why “Greatness” Is Personal

I am Taresh Bhatia — CFP, founder of The Richness Academy, and author of The Richness Principles. My journey from a corporate cubicle to running one of India’s most trusted financial coaching platforms did not happen overnight. It started in Gurugram, with a single question: “What if I stopped living on autopilot and built a life of greatness on my own terms?”

I want to share how I did it, the mistakes I made, and the frameworks that helped me. Most importantly, I want to show you how you can create your own path — whether you are a mid-career professional, an entrepreneur, or a couple trying to align your money with your dreams.

Part 1: The Morning in Gurugram That Changed Everything

I still remember standing by my office window one winter morning, the fog rolling over the road in front. Cars honked, deadlines loomed, and I felt trapped in a life I had not consciously chosen. That moment ignited my commitment to greatness.

From that day, I began a practice: every morning, before emails or meetings, I wrote down three things — what I valued, what I wanted to experience, and how money could support, not dictate, my life. This tiny ritual eventually evolved into the Money Triangle and Richness Blueprint frameworks I teach today.

Part 2: Start Before You Feel Ready

When I launched Richness Academy, it was nothing more than me, a laptop, and a borrowed conference room. No perfect business plan, no investor. Just courage.

I saw the same hesitation in my clients. They waited for “right time” promotions, the “right salary” before investing, the “right age” before planning retirement. Truth: There is no perfect time.

Action for You: Identify one area where you have been delaying action. It could be starting your SIP, having a money conversation with your spouse, or switching careers. Do one visible step this week.

(In The Richness Principles book, I share a step-by-step “Ready, Set, Act” plan to break this inertia — you can grab a physical copy now at my office or on Amazon.) Buy Book: https://pages.razorpay.com/BookTRP

Part 3: Own Your Story, Do not Borrow Others’

Financial planning is deeply personal. However, most people benchmark themselves against friends, neighbours, or social media. Your neighbour’s new SUV, your colleague’s crypto portfolio — these are their stories, not yours.

My Anecdote: In 2000, everyone rushed into tech stocks. I chose balanced funds. My clients still thank me for saving them from a meltdown.

Action for You: Audit your financial moves. Ask: “Is this mine, or am I imitating?”

Part 4: Money as Energy, Not Just Numbers

Early in my career, money was purely transactional — income, expense, profit. Then I experienced the power of aligning money with values. I began allocating 10% of my income to mentoring and community work. The goodwill and networks that grew from that decision became priceless.

Action for You: Create your own “Money Triangle” — how you will save, spend, and share. Stick to it for 90 days.

(This is Principle #3 in The Richness Principles — one of my favourite chapters.)

Part 5: Learn Out Loud

Doing something truly great requires learning constantly and sharing as you go. When I posted my first YouTube video, it got just 23 views. Today, thousands watch my financial freedom lessons every week. The difference? Consistency and openness.

Action for You: Pick one platform — blog, LinkedIn, Instagram — and share one financial or personal insight per week. This compounds your credibility and your network.

Part 6: Build Relationships Before You Need Them

One of my greatest lessons: networks compound faster than money. Mentorship opened doors I did not even know existed. A chance coffee with an industry veteran turned into my first keynote invite.

Action for You: Identify five people you admire but have not spoken to in a while. Reach out today without asking for anything.

Part 7: Measure What Truly Matters

I used to measure success solely by revenue. Now I track impact: how many families became debt-free, how many couples built joint vision boards, how many professionals regained confidence after a career shock. That is what keeps me inspired.

Action for You: Define three metrics beyond income that truly reflect your growth.

(My book, The Richness Principles, has a free downloadable “Richness Scorecard” you can use to track this.)

Part 8: Greatness in Daily Habits

Greatness is not about dramatic gestures; it is about daily rituals. My morning routine in Gurugram — journaling, pranayama, and 30 minutes of reading — has created more breakthroughs than any seminar I have attended.

Action for You: Build one micro-habit around your biggest goal. Do it daily for 30 days. Watch the compounding effect.

Part 9: The Indian Context — Festivals, Families and Finance

As Indians, our financial life is deeply woven into our cultural life — Diwali gifts, wedding gold, or funding a child’s education abroad. When I work with couples, we map these cultural commitments alongside their investments. It creates harmony rather than surprise.

Action for You: Create a “Festivals & Finance” calendar. Note big cultural spending moments and plan for them in advance.

Part 10: The Career Reinvention Blueprint

Many of my readers are in their 40s and feel stuck. Redundancy, midlife shocks, or career pivots are common. I call this the “Second Innings Window.” If planned well, it can be your most powerful wealth-building phase.

Action for You: Begin upskilling now. Even a miniature online course can open new income streams.

Part 11: Couple Finance Formula

Money disagreements break more relationships than infidelity. My Couple Finance Formula helps partners align their money values. One couple from Bengaluru utilised the formula to clear ₹35 lakh in debt in just four years, while still taking annual vacations.

Action for You: Create a joint vision board with your spouse this weekend. Align your top three goals and rank them by priority.

(This formula is explained in detail in The Richness Principles, with worksheets you can use at home.)

Part 12: Story of “The Richness Principles” — My Book

I wrote The Richness Principles because I saw a gap in the market. People wanted freedom, but lacked a roadmap. I compiled 25+ years of frameworks, case studies, and tools into one accessible guide.

When you buy the book (₹999 on Amazon or from my office in Gurugram), you are not just buying a book — you are buying a system tested with thousands of clients. The book includes self-assessment tools, money rituals, and cultural anecdotes that Indian families will relate to.

Call to Action: If you are serious about building a life of greatness, order your copy of The Richness Principles today.

Part 13: Putting It All Together — Your Greatness Action Plan

Let us recap the key ideas:

1. Start before you feel ready.

2. Own your story.

3. Treat money as energy.

4. Learn out loud.

5. Build networks before you need them.

6. Measure what matters.

7. Make greatness a daily habit.

Your Next Step: Pick one action from above and do it in the next 48 hours. Greatness begins with a single step taken consistently.

Part 14: Staying Connected with Me

I am committed to helping you achieve financial freedom and a richer life. Stay connected with me across platforms where I share value every day:

• YouTube: Subscribe here

• Instagram: Follow me here

• Blog: Read my articles

• LinkedIn: Connect with me

• Facebook: Join my community

• Book a Discovery Call: Click here

• WhatsApp message directly: https://wa.me/919810127906

•. Buy Book: https://pages.razorpay.com/BookTRP

Conclusion: Greatness Is a Choice

Looking back, my journey from an employee to a CFP and founder of Richness Academy was not a straight line. It was a series of small, courageous choices. You can do the same — in your finances, your career, and your relationships.

Take a breath today. Ask yourself: What is one decisive action I can take this week? Then, please do it.

Moreover, if you need a guide, start with The Richness Principles. It is the roadmap I wish I had when I began.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult qualified professionals before making decisions. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks.

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