Greg Clement is the Founder and CEO of Realeflow.
Money is not a currency of worth. Money is a currency of action.
That single realization changed everything for me.
Too many people think they’re not smart enough to be wealthy, or that they’re not “good enough” to be rich. But look around—there are plenty of people making fortunes who aren’t geniuses, and let’s be honest, some aren’t even good people. Wealth isn’t about intelligence or moral superiority. It’s about execution.
Money doesn’t reward potential. It rewards movement. Stop thinking about money in terms of what you deserve, and start thinking about it in terms of what you create.
Income-Producing Assets
Many people focus on increasing their professional income—getting a raise, closing more deals, scaling their business revenue. But income alone doesn’t create financial freedom. If your income is tied to your time, you can get trapped in an endless cycle of working just to keep the money flowing.
I’ve found that one way to address this is IPAs: income-producing assets.
These are assets that generate revenue independent of your labor. Instead of thinking about how to make more money at your job or business, ask yourself:
• What can I build that pays me over and over?
• How do I create something that earns even when I’m not there?
• How do I set up a system where money flows without my direct involvement?
That’s the IPA mindset. You’re not just chasing higher pay—you’re engineering a financial machine that works for you.
The IPA Roadmap: How To Build Assets That Pay You
Step 1: Shift your mindset from worker to creator.
The first step is breaking free from the idea that income must always come from effort. Workers think about salaries, billable hours and commissions. Creators think about building things that produce income on their own.
An IPA could be anything that generates money repeatedly after the initial effort:
• A rental property that collects monthly rent.
• A subscription business that auto-renews every month.
• A book, course or software product that sells while you sleep.
• A business with systems and automation so you don’t have to be there daily.
The moment you stop thinking like an employee (even if you own your business) and start thinking like an asset creator, you’ve already taken the biggest step.
It’s important to note that this is not without risk. The scary part for some people is that building and creating income producing assets thrust them into the entrepreneurial world. You are your own boss. You are responsible. You are betting on yourself. It all comes down to you. If you can stomach this and take this on as a responsibility, then it’s like jumping in with both feet!
Step 2: Identify your first IPA opportunity.
You might not need a ton of capital to start. Some of the best IPAs require creativity, not cash. Make sure to evaluate your assets and risk tolerance, and look at what you already have:
• Your skills and knowledge (turn them into digital products or licensing opportunities).
• Your time (invest in building a system that removes you from the process).
• Your network (joint ventures, partnerships and collaborations).
• Your existing business (find ways to add passive income elements).
When I bought a farm in Ohio, I didn’t just see land and apple trees. I saw opportunity. Instead of just selling apples, I asked: How do I turn this into an IPA? The answer was events—concerts, fall festivals, private parties. Now those events run with minimal involvement from me, producing income every year like clockwork. That’s the power of shifting from “income” thinking to “asset” thinking.
Many people would never look at an event as an asset, but when set up properly, events can be consistent income generators. You create an experience for other people to enjoy, and it becomes a monthly or annual pilgrimage.
Step 3: Build once, get paid continuously.
Many people get stuck because they only see the work involved upfront. Yes, building an IPA takes effort. But you build once—then you get paid over and over.
Think about it:
• A rental property takes time to acquire, but once you have tenants, they pay monthly.
• A digital course takes effort to create, but once it’s online, people can buy it 24/7.
• A well-structured business can run with a team, freeing you from daily operations.
The key is to front-load the effort so you don’t have to keep grinding forever.
Step 4: Automate and delegate.
Once your IPA is working, the next step is removing yourself from the equation as much as possible. This is where automation and delegation come in.
• Can software or AI handle key tasks?
• Can you hire someone to manage operations?
• Can you create a system that keeps revenue flowing without you?
The goal is to get to the point where your IPA functions without your direct input, allowing you to focus on scaling or building more IPAs.
Step 5: Reinvest and multiply.
Once an IPA starts paying you, the smart move is reinvesting a portion of that income into more assets. This is often how the wealthy get wealthier—they use one IPA to fund the next.
• Profits from one rental property can buy another.
• Revenue from a digital product can fund a second one.
• Cash flow from a business can expand into new ventures.
Before long, you can stack IPAs like building blocks, and your income could start multiplying.
Why This Matters
Most people spend their lives working for money. But if you can flip that equation—if you can make money work for you—you could win the game. Then, you’re not stressed about income because assets pay you. You’re not stuck in a job you hate because you’re not paycheck-dependent. And you’re not worried about the future because you’ve built something that lasts.
I’ve found the difference between the wealthy and everyone else isn’t luck. It’s not even intelligence. It’s the decision to prioritize assets over paychecks. So start thinking about how to create an IPA that replaces your job. It’s time to stop working for money. Start building assets that work for you.
The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
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