How to Make Money Thinking Big – I Manage a $70 Million Estate. Here’s What I Learned by Dez Pena
How to Make Money by Thinking Big – The Power of Thinking Big
If you are not thinking big, you are doing a disservice to yourself, your future family, and the generations that follow. Playing small not only limits your personal success but also restricts the impact you can make on the world.
As someone who manages a $70 million estate and helps business owners create and maintain generational wealth, I have seen firsthand how shifting to a big-thinking mindset can transform lives. Thinking big is more than just a concept—it is a responsibility.
The Consequences of Playing Small
Playing small means missing out on opportunities to create, explore, and enjoy life to the fullest. If you do not have a plan, you will inevitably fall into someone else’s plan. That is not the life of a leader. Leaders create their own visions, make their own plans, and execute on them with purpose.
If you have come across this article, it means you are a king or queen, meant to lead, not to be a pawn in someone else’s game. Success starts with a mindset shift—seeing yourself as someone capable of making a massive impact.
The Exploration Phase: Say Yes to Everything
If you do not yet know what your purpose is, you need to enter an exploration phase. During this time, say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Try new things, meet new people, and expose yourself to different industries and skill sets.
Only by experiencing a variety of opportunities can you identify what you truly love and what aligns with your natural abilities. Once you discover what you enjoy, you can begin to narrow your focus and eliminate distractions that do not serve your higher purpose.
The Responsibility of Thinking Big
With great wealth and success comes great responsibility. As you begin to think bigger, you will take on responsibilities beyond yourself. This could mean hiring employees, providing valuable services to customers, or supporting charitable causes.
Imagine being responsible for the livelihood of 20, 500, or even 1,000 people. Your ability to provide them with opportunities, salaries, and financial security means you must always be striving for excellence.
The Importance of Quality and Excellence
Thinking big does not mean cutting corners. True success comes from providing exceptional quality. People can always find a cheaper alternative, but they will return to you if you offer the best quality and service.
Success is not about doing everything perfectly but about doing your best with every opportunity you are given. Mistakes are part of the journey. Learn from them, create a strategy, and continue to move forward.
Developing a Plan and Strategy
A solid plan and strategy are essential for success. Setting goals is important, but they do not always need strict timelines. Many of my goals have remained consistent since childhood, and each step I take is part of a long-term vision.
One of the most powerful strategic frameworks is systems-based thinking. This approach involves breaking down your big vision into smaller, manageable components.
Example: Elon Musk’s First Principles Thinking
Elon Musk applies first principles thinking when building rockets. He identifies the essential components needed, finds ways to reduce costs, and innovates to make the process more efficient. You can apply a similar approach to your own business and personal finances by breaking down your goals into actionable steps and developing systems to achieve them efficiently.
Creating Wealth and Maintaining It
Wealth is not just about making money—it is about maintaining and growing it over time. Generational wealth requires planning, strategy, and education.
One of the key strategies for maintaining wealth is trust planning. Without a proper estate plan, wealth can quickly disappear. For example, the Rockefellers implemented trust structures that have preserved their wealth for generations, whereas the Vanderbilts lost their fortune within three generations.
By setting up private trusts, you can protect your assets from unnecessary taxation, legal battles, and financial mismanagement. Without a trust, your estate could be subjected to probate, where courts and governments intervene, often draining a significant portion of your wealth.
How to Make Money by Thinking Big – Financial Education and Execution
Many people acquire financial knowledge but fail to execute. Simply consuming information is not enough—you must apply it.
For example, my financial journey began with trading. From there, I expanded into credit optimization, business credit, life insurance policies, and advanced wealth-building strategies. Each step built upon the last, forming a comprehensive financial ecosystem.
Time is the most valuable asset we have, and wasting it by failing to execute is the greatest mistake one can make.
The Power of Relationships and Connections
Your network is one of the most valuable assets in wealth-building. Those who are born into wealth often have access to powerful connections that provide opportunities others might never encounter.
If you do not have this advantage, you must actively seek out and build relationships with people who can help you grow. Surround yourself with successful individuals who think big and challenge you to elevate your game.
The Future of Education and Wealth-Building
The traditional school system was designed to create workers, not leaders. Critical thinking and financial education are often missing from standard curriculums, leaving many people unprepared to build and manage wealth.
For future generations, I advocate for hands-on, experience-based education. Instead of reading about coral reefs, I would rather take my children to Fiji to participate in reef restoration projects. Instead of simply learning about longevity, I would take them to Okinawa, Japan, to observe and understand the habits of centenarians firsthand.
Wealth provides the opportunity to create an enriching, immersive education for future generations, allowing them to learn in ways that traditional schooling cannot offer.
Final Thoughts: How to Make Money by Thinking Big – The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Thinking big is not just about making money—it is about creating a legacy. By shifting your mindset, taking strategic action, and building systems for success, you can create generational wealth that lasts.
If you are ready to take control of your financial future and protect your wealth, consider setting up a private trust. A well-structured trust can prevent unnecessary financial losses and ensure your wealth is passed down efficiently.
Start thinking big today, and watch how your life transforms. Your ceiling should be your children’s floor. Set them up for success, and your legacy will live on for generations.
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