In a recent LinkedIn post, Sahil Bloom offers a contrarian perspective on why individuals might be struggling financially, suggesting the issue lies not with the person, but with the traditional approach to earning money. Bloom argues that the focus on money as a starting point is fundamentally flawed, asserting that financial gain is merely a consequence of solving problems for others.
According to Bloom, the conventional wisdom about making money is the core of the problem. He states:
“Money isn’t the starting point. Money is a byproduct of the problems you solve for other people.
You get paid based on the number and significance of problems you can solve.”
Rethinking the Path to Financial Success
Bloom’s central thesis is that individuals should shift their focus from pursuing money directly to developing valuable skills. He introduces a simple exercise called the “Game of 3s” designed to help people identify their unique strengths and potential problem-solving capabilities. This exercise involves answering three questions on paper:
- What are 3 things friends always ask you to help with?
- What are 3 things you do better than your friends?
- What are 3 things you’d do for free?
The intersection of these answers, Bloom explains, reveals a starting point for developing marketable skills. He emphasizes the power of skill stacking, noting:
“One skill makes you useful. Two stacked skills make you rare. Three makes you impossible to compete with.”
The Four Gears of Financial Growth
Beyond identifying skills, Sahil Bloom outlines a four-part system, which he terms “gears,” that work together to build financial success. These gears are:
Gear 1: Mindset
Bloom stresses the importance of building proof that one can overcome challenges. This mental fortitude, he suggests, is crucial for rewiring one’s approach to difficulty and success.
Gear 2: Skills
This gear focuses on practical application. Bloom advises actively seeking out individuals with problems that can be solved by one’s skills, identifying this as the path to securing a first client.
Gear 3: Network
Contrary to traditional networking advice, Bloom asserts that value creation is the key to building a strong network. He advocates for “building in public,” suggesting that demonstrating expertise and helpfulness naturally attracts valuable connections.
Gear 4: Money
The final gear addresses the direct management of finances. Bloom’s advice here is to consistently earn, save, and grow money, with the ultimate goal of achieving a state where one’s investments generate more income than personal work.
In conclusion, Sahil Bloom’s LinkedIn post provides a framework for individuals feeling stuck financially, encouraging a pivot from a money-centric mindset to a problem-solving and skill-development approach. He summarizes the complete system as:
“That’s the machine.”
Bloom encourages readers to engage with the “Game of 3s” exercise to start building their own financial growth machine.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Sahil Bloom on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 18, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →