Back in 2019, I wrote an article for Forbes that resonated with a lot of startup founders, nonprofit leaders, and associations. I argued that “We don’t have the money” is a catchall excuse that stifles innovation and progress. It was true then, and it’s even more relevant now. The world has changed dramatically since 2019, but one thing remains constant: the lack of a single resource should never stop us from achieving greatness.
In my experience working across industries, from startups and passion projects to established associations, I still hear it: “We just don’t have the money.” Sure, that’s a real problem. But the bigger issue isn’t the absence of cash—it’s the mindset that says progress comes with a price tag. It’s a mentality that puts creativity and forward motion behind a paywall. In reality, what we need to do as leaders, business owners, and executives is stop letting the lack of one resource dictate what we can or can’t accomplish.
We’ve all been trained to believe that money is the foundation of every solution. We hear phrases like “Time is money,” “Money is power,” and “Cash is king.” But these ideas are overly simplistic. In fact, some of the greatest innovations have come from creativity and perseverance, not from a surplus of cash.
Consider the Wright brothers: in 1903, Orville and Wilbur were not backed by government grants or corporate sponsors when they invented the airplane. Philo Farnsworth was well on his way to developing the electronic television before securing funding. These monumental achievements weren’t born of budgets—they were born of vision and creativity.
The biggest fallacy we face today is the belief that any meaningful progress requires major capital investment. How often do we hear, “Let’s put that on the back burner; we can’t afford it this year”? This kind of thinking doesn’t just delay progress—it prevents it. Laying the groundwork costs nothing. Motivating creative thought? That’s free. Fostering a workplace where great ideas flourish? Again, free.
In Peter Sims’ book Little Bets, he examines how small, calculated risks led to massive breakthroughs for people like Pixar’s Ed Catmull and Google’s co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Catmull worked on what would become Toy Story long before teaming up with John Lasseter and eventually Steve Jobs. Page and Brin started Google as a side project while still at Stanford, long before they had venture capital.
Similarly, in Originals, Adam Grant highlights how nonconformity and even procrastination can lead to genius ideas, often without the backing of large budgets. It’s not about waiting for funding—it’s about fostering a culture of experimentation and allowing teams the freedom to try, fail, and learn.
That said, yes, money will always play a role. It helps pay salaries, support teams, and keep the lights on. But too many of us lean on the crutch of money, which prevents us from allowing ourselves and our teams to experiment with new ideas that often only cost time and energy.
The phrase “We don’t have the money” has become the rallying cry of the uninspired. It gives permission to accept mediocrity instead of striving for greatness. But when we embrace unconventional, low-cost ideas, we can ignite innovation, create disruption, and move markets in ways that traditional funding-heavy approaches can’t.
Highly specialized skills cost money, and they’re often worth it. But in the early stages, passion, creativity, and the ability to screw up without fear can get the ball rolling just as effectively as a fat budget. You don’t need an expensive think tank to get started. What you need is to ask yourself some key questions:
- What does success look like?
- What’s the end goal?
- Where are we really trying to go?
- If I suddenly had 100% of the money I need, would I be prepared to use it effectively?
- What if I only had 50%? Would I make it work?
- What about 25%?
- At what point does my passion for the project fade?
- If I had already completed the project today, would my clients or audience be ready for it?
- If not, what can I implement now to signal the direction we’re heading?
- If yes, what can I do today to set the stage for the next step?
This updated approach is not about being cheap—it’s about being intentional and innovative. By encouraging our teams to think big and tackle problems in new ways, we can break out of the repetitive cycle that can cost us more than money—it can cost us clients, top talent, and even our own satisfaction.
So take stock of your resources. Money is just one of them—and it’s not the most important. Don’t let the lack of one resource stop you from creating, innovating, and achieving greatness.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 2019 Fobes “We Don’t Have the Money”