The Power of Passive Income and Yes, It’s For You Too!

In my coaching work, I have met many intelligent and passionate professionals who excel in their fields. They worked hard, earn a good income and save diligently.

Yet, what surprises me is that many of them had never thought that they could create a passive income with their money. They felt that investing is only for the super-smart or the super-rich…but not them.

One of my greatest rewards in my coaching journey is witnessing my clients transition from investing newbies to confident investors, and watching their excitement when they receive their first passive income.
  
I have my banking career to thank for my own journey too. I spent a decade as an investment banker in Singapore before transitioning to private banking, where I was entrusted with managing the wealth of high-net-worth (HNW) individuals.

My private banker clients were people I had met and worked with in my investment banking days. As a private banker, I got a rare glimpse beyond their public personas into their true financial standing – because numbers don't lie. Let’s just say, never judge a book by its cover!

A client who changed my perspective

One client, whom I’ll call Mr Tan, left a lasting impression on me.

During a portfolio review meeting, he casually pointed to one of his stocks and said, “Dinah, I have a million dollars worth of dividends coming in from this stock this year.”

I was stunned. Not a million dollars in investment, but a million dollars of passive income from a single stock! And that was just one part of his investment portfolio.

In investment banking, I was used to seeing corporates generate millions from businesses. But seeing an individual achieve this level of financial freedom was eye-opening.

As I walked away from that meeting, a realisation hit me: I had spent my career helping clients grow their wealth, yet I wasn’t actively building my own. Like many professionals, I was focused on earning a salary, with little time or energy left to invest for my own future.

What made Mr Tan even more inspiring? He wasn’t born into wealth. He was a retired professional who had spent years working for a salary – just like many of us. The difference? He consistently invested his savings, reinvested his returns, and let compounding do its magic. Over time, his investments started generating streams of passive income - dividends, rental income, and capital appreciation.

His story showed me that small, consistent steps in investing lead to financial security and freedom over time. Today, whether he chooses to travel, rest, or pursue new passions, his income kept rolling in.

Why passive income matters for you

As Warren Buffett famously said, “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.”

Passive income isn’t just about retiring early—it’s about having options. It gives you peace of mind, allowing you to navigate work and life with greater confidence.

I love my work, and I believe many of you do too. But here’s an important question: Is work a choice for you, or a necessity?

Building passive income can give you financial clarity, flexibility, and a greater sense of security for the future.

So, tell me - are you currently building passive income? If not, what’s holding you back?

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