Let’s talk about building wealth. We all know the dream: work hard, save some money, maybe splurge on a coffee here and there, and retire happily ever after, right? Wrong. As it turns out, most people miss a crucial part of wealth-building—the part where you stop relying on a job and start relying on yourself. To help break down this transformation, let’s take a look at Myron Golden’s Four Levels of Value and Robert Kiyosaki’s Cash Flow Quadrant. These two perspectives show us the difference between working for money and having money work for us.

Let’s Break It Down with the Levels of Value and Cash Flow Quadrant

Imagine you’re in a video game. Your goal? To unlock financial freedom. The thing is, most people get stuck on level one, killing imaginary monsters and trading hours for dollars. But to really win, you need to level up. So, let’s see where these “levels” and “quadrants” fit in:

1. Level 1: Implementation (Employee in the Cash Flow Quadrant)

You’re working as an employee. This is where you’re trading your time for money, usually at an hourly rate or salary. In Myron Golden’s world, this is Implementation, where you’re essentially a “doer.” You’re the hands-on hero—the person who types, writes, lifts, shifts, packs, and stacks. The upside? You’re usually guaranteed a paycheck. The downside? You’re not exactly on the road to untold riches here.

Example: You’re a graphic designer. You clock in, design a logo, and you get paid. End of story. But wait! Who gets all the money for the logo? Probably the person selling your service to the client… the person in charge. The higher-ups.

2. Level 2: Unification (Self-Employed in the Cash Flow Quadrant)

Level two is for the Self-Employed or freelancers. You’re still trading time for money, but now it’s your time, and you’re your own boss. At Myron’s Unification level, you’re leading people or coordinating activities, usually making a bit more than those on Level 1. This means you’re charging clients directly (instead of working for a boss), but you’re still chained to the hours you work.

Example: You’re now a freelance graphic designer. You get clients, do the work, and you get all the pay. Great, right? But if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Vacation? Forget it. Sick day? Nah. Still…progress.

3. Level 3: Communication (Business Owner in the Cash Flow Quadrant)

Now we’re talking. Level three is where you start making real moves. Kiyosaki calls it the Business Owner quadrant, and Myron calls it Communication. Here, you’re creating something scalable, like a business that can make money without you being present all the time. You’re selling services or products, maybe even building a brand. This is where you stop clocking in for every dollar and start creating systems or content that can pay off even while you sleep.

Example: You own a small graphic design agency. Your team handles most of the work, and you’re out there shaking hands, landing clients, and building partnerships. Sure, you’re still involved, but you’re no longer tied to the hourly grind.

4. Level 4: Imagination (Investor in the Cash Flow Quadrant)

This is the holy grail of both frameworks. Kiyosaki calls it the Investor quadrant, and Golden dubs it Imagination. Here, your money does the heavy lifting. You’re creating and investing in products, businesses, or assets that generate passive income. Your goal? To sit back, let the assets grow, and collect the returns. Instead of working for money, you’re letting it work for you. This is where people often say, “Make money while you sleep.”

Example: You invest in a portfolio of products, real estate, or a side business that makes money without you having to put in daily work. You’re collecting returns, and your focus is on the big picture—how to keep growing your wealth sustainably.

5 Steps to Move from Trading Time for Money to Building True Wealth

Step 1: Stop Treating Your Job as the End Game

Most people think their job will bring them all the wealth they need, but a job is just the beginning. You’re paid to work, not to build a fortune. Use that income to fuel other ventures that can grow independently of your time.

Step 2: Identify a Skill That Solves a Problem and Build a Product or Service Around It

Instead of staying in the “doer” role, think about problems you can solve for others. Maybe you can create a course, write a book, or offer consulting in your field. This isn’t about quitting your job right away; it’s about creating something valuable that you can offer on the side.

Step 3: Move from Doing the Work to Leading Others Who Do the Work

Hiring a team or outsourcing some of the tasks lets you scale. If you’re a writer, maybe you bring on a copy editor. If you’re a photographer, consider an assistant. Start thinking about how you can go from “doing” to “managing.”

Step 4: Create a System That Generates Revenue Without Constant Supervision

Whether it’s a website that sells digital products, a YouTube channel, or an investment in rental properties, you want to build something that keeps generating income. You’re not entirely hands-off, but you’re certainly not clocking in either.

Step 5: Invest and Reinvest in High-Value Assets

Once you’ve got some profits coming in, look at reinvesting them. The goal is to turn those gains into assets—whether stocks, real estate, or other passive income streams—that work for you without added effort. You’re not only in charge of a business or product; you’re letting your money multiply through strategic investment.

Final Thoughts

By moving through these levels and shifting from employee to investor, you stop being reliant on a job. Instead, you’re building your own path to wealth, solving problems, and creating systems that work independently of your hours. If you’re ready to dive deeper into how to make this transformation, this is just the beginning. Get the full picture with my ebook, From Broke To Building Wealth, available at https://purplemu.com/building-wealth/.