We have discussed before how what you really need in life to make you happy, is most likely to be something that is free anyway; time, love, friendship or time in nature.

There are for some, things that they just cannot do without and they are deeply depressed if they don't have them. For me, this is a few pints of real ale and a packet of pork scratchings or bacon and egg sarnies on a Saturday morning and chocolate brownies. Others might want designer clobber or flash cars, or business class seats on jets to exotic locations for pampered holidays. Whatever floats your boat. Some people want boats.

So, what do you need to do to increase your earnings to match your yearnings?

Earn more at work

Something that is easier said that done. These are things that you are likely to need to do that I have learned from the various business owners I have worked with and advised on finance. Ask yourself, "are your yearnings worth what is will take to get the earnings to satisfy them?"

• Take on responsibility - you will find you get paid for taking responsibility. Why? Because lots of people will not take it on. Businesses need people to step up and get things done.

• Show up - Do you duck out of things at work? Only do your 'core' hours? If you show up regularly and reliably whenever you are needed whether it is weekends or evenings, you will become indispensable and earnings will follow.

• Take on risk - as with investing, the more risk you take, the more you are likely to earn. Some businesses need you to take on personal risk, for example in Financial Services. You may need to put money into the business 'skin in the game'. This means you could lose out, but also, you are more likely to gain more.

• Earn money for the company - yeh yeh, you come in, don't have much time off, do what is expected etc. But what are you actually doing to earn the company more money? Or save it money? This is what companies exist for so ask yourself how you can contribute... then actually do it!

• Build Relationships - the more people you know, the more able you will be to help. The more people you help, the more use you are. This, in time, will bring opportunities that you can take advantage of as people will think of you.

• Get comfortable being uncomfortable - whatever you are doing you need to get it out there before you have perfected it. Show people your work, take feedback and improve it. This will make you feel uncomfortable! Get used to it and keep putting it out there.

• Put as much time into your work as possible. Outsource activities that use your time where they cost less to pay someone than you could earn in the same time. For example, get a cleaner, someone to mow your lawn etc. Use that time to get better at what you do and earn money through it

• Education - constantly be seeking to learn as this will help you earn more. This doesn't mean waiting for your employer to pay for you to go on a training course. It means doing your own learning of your own volition!

Other ways to earn money

Whilst you are doing all you can at work, the rewards may not be instant. So, in the meantime, you can look at other ways of making money:

Side Hustles! I love side hustles, everyone should have one. This is a smaller project that may excite you, or earn a regular income, or perhaps be something that could strike it lucky big time!

Are your yearnings worth it?

As you can see, there are a lot of sacrifices involved in earning more money and they are not guaranteed! It may all lead to nought with no greater earnings at all.

It might be, you decide your yearnings do not need to be sated and that you will be happier earning less. Which one wins for you? Earnings or yearnings?