There’s a fine line between having financial goals and basing your entire worth on financial success.

On one side, striving for financial success is healthy and admirable. It shows ambition, drive, and a desire to provide for your loved ones.

But when a man starts defining his worth solely by his financial achievements, that’s where the problems start.

Psychology gives us a deep insight into this behavior. It shows us that men who base their worth on financial success often display certain sad but revealing signs.

In this article, I’ll share with you seven of these signs. These are not just surface-level symptoms; they are deep-seated behaviors that reveal a troubling mindset.

Just remember, identifying these signs is the first step towards a healthier perspective on self-worth and financial success. So let’s dive in.

1) Wealth equals worth

The first and perhaps the most obvious sign is the belief that wealth equates to worth.

For some men, the size of their bank account is directly proportional to their self-esteem. The more zeros they see, the higher their self-worth climbs. But when their finances take a hit, so does their self-perception.

This is a dangerous mindset to have. It places an individual’s sense of self onto an external factor that can fluctuate and change over time. And when that factor takes a downturn, it can lead to feelings of worthlessness and failure.

As Carl Rogers, one of the most renowned psychologists said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”

This applies to our perception of self-worth too. It’s important to understand that our worth isn’t static or determined by external factors such as wealth.

It’s something we should constantly learn and redefine based on our personal growth and values.

So if you notice that a man’s self-esteem heavily relies on his financial success, it’s a clear sign that he has based his entire worth around it.

2) Constant comparison

The second sign is a constant need to compare oneself to others, especially in terms of wealth and possessions.

I remember a friend of mine who always seemed to be in competition with everyone around him. If someone bought a new car, he would feel the need to get a better one.

If someone else was promoted, he’d work relentlessly until he earned a higher position. He wasn’t happy unless he was winning in this unspoken competition.

The problem with this mindset is that there will always be someone richer, more successful, or more accomplished. So, this constant comparison only leads to perpetual dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Theodore Roosevelt, the father of psychoanalysis, once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

This holds particularly true when a man bases his worth on financial success. By constantly comparing himself to others, he’s robbing himself of the ability to appreciate his own accomplishments and find happiness within them.

So if you see a man who’s always looking over his shoulder, constantly comparing his financial status with others’, it’s another sad but revealing sign of basing self-worth on financial success.

3) Sacrificing personal relationships

Have you ever known someone who let their relationships deteriorate because they were too focused on their financial goals?

It’s a painful sight to see, but it’s a common pitfall for men who base their worth on financial success.

They may begin to ignore their loved ones, or even exploit them for personal gain. They forget that true wealth comes from love, respect, and genuine relationships.

As Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology said, “The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed.”

When we sacrifice personal relationships for financial success, we’re choosing material wealth over emotional security and peace. And in the long run, this choice can lead to loneliness and regret.

So if you see a man who’s ready to sideline his relationships for the sake of money, it’s another telltale sign that he’s basing his entire worth on financial success.

4) Fear of financial insecurity

Another revealing sign is an overwhelming fear of financial insecurity.

A study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that 72% of Americans reported feeling stressed about money at least some of the time during the past month.

While it’s normal to worry about finances, an excessive fear of financial insecurity can indicate a deeper issue.

For men who base their worth on financial success, this fear can become paralyzing. They might hoard their wealth, refuse to spend on necessary items, or become overly anxious about job security or investments.

This often leads to a constant state of anxiety and stress, which can have serious impacts on their mental and physical health.

If you see a man who’s constantly worried about money, even when he’s financially stable or successful, it’s another sign that he may be basing his self-worth on his financial status.

5) Overworking to the point of burnout

We’ve all heard the saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” But for some, it’s more than just becoming dull – it’s about burning out.

I’ve seen it happen to people close to me. They work long hours, skip vacations, and even sacrifice their physical health in their pursuit of financial success. They believe that the harder they work, the more they’re worth.

This mindset is not only harmful to their personal well-being but can also lead to burnout. 

So if you see a man who’s working himself to the point of exhaustion in the pursuit of financial success, it’s another revealing sign that he’s basing his self-worth on his wealth.

Remember, self-worth is not measured by how many hours we put in at work, but by how we value ourselves and our contribution beyond our job title or bank balance.

6) Lack of fulfillment despite financial success

You’d think that reaching financial success would bring happiness and satisfaction, right? Strangely enough, that’s not always the case.

Abraham Maslow, one of the most renowned psychologists who’s best known for creating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, once said, “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately happy. What a man can be, he must be.”

This implies that fulfillment comes from realizing and expressing our potential, not from accumulating wealth. Men who base their worth around financial success often feel unfulfilled even when they achieve it.

They’ve spent so much time chasing money that they’ve forgotten what truly matters to them and what they genuinely enjoy.

So if you see a man who’s financially successful but still feels unfulfilled or dissatisfied, it’s another sign that he’s basing his worth on his financial status.

True fulfillment comes from being true to who we are and doing what we love, not from how much money we have in the bank.

7) Money-related arrogance

The final sign is arrogance related to financial success.

Men who base their worth on financial success may develop an inflated sense of self-importance. They may feel superior to those who earn less and can become dismissive or condescending towards them.

As Alfred Adler, a renowned psychologist and founder of the school of individual psychology, once said, “The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.”

This means that every person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and our financial status doesn’t make us better or worse than anyone else.

So if a man exhibits arrogance tied to his wealth, it’s the final sad but revealing sign that he’s basing his entire worth on financial success.

Final thoughts

The complexity of human self-worth and the dangerous allure of financial success present a fascinating yet cautionary tale.

For men who base their entire worth around financial success, the pursuit of wealth can become a relentless cycle that leaves them feeling empty and unfulfilled.

These seven signs are not just mere quirks or habits; they’re revealing insights into a mindset that’s tied self-esteem to bank balance.

Understanding these signs can help us re-evaluate our own perceptions of success and worth. If you or someone you know exhibits these signs, it might be time to reassess what truly constitutes self-worth.

Remember, financial success is a commendable goal, but it’s not the definitive measure of our worth. Our value lies in our character, our actions, and the love we share with others.

So let’s strive to define our worth beyond the dollar signs and find fulfillment in who we are as individuals. After all, we’re worth more than our wealth.