Diversity
March 30, 2008 – 01:38 pmDiversity is a wonderful thing. Many people out there who talk about money 24/7 because they’re always trying to expand their money making empire seem to have isolated themselves to this one niche. Ironically the one thing most of these people have in common is to build a sustainable income and then enjoy all the free time they’re suppose to have (because this is one of the main points they all try to make; with money comes freedom). However most of them are never satisfied and end up trying to generate even more money. How many wealthy people do you honestly know actually go out and live their life to the fullest as opposed to continuing their work. Bill Gates, one of the world’s most wealthiest person, STILL works till this day (albeit he is finally quitting Microsoft this year to pursue his greater passion, the Gates and Melinda Foundation).
As much as I love making money (and it is one of my hobbies as I am sure most people will argue this as well), there is more to life than just that and the small perks it gives on the side while doing so (and I don’t count traveling on business trips as really traveling albeit you do get to see the sites and stuff and live a “more” glamorous life than not). The point is these people always say never put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to making money, meaning diversify your income streams. I say why not apply that concept to the rest of your life and not put all your eggs in one basket in the sense that you focus a ton of your attention to just making money. While I understand this is not possible when you’re first starting out, but for those who already do achieve financial freedom (and brag about their six figure checks each money) who claim they want to be able to do other things and it’s the reason they pursue making money in the first place, they end up forgetting all that free time they’re suppose to have to do other things. While there are small perks that come with doing so, it’s not the same as ceasing to create more income and just going out to enjoy what the rest of life has to offer. I love making money and I’ll be the first to admit it’s fun, and something I plan on doing the rest of my life probably. But once you’re there, is it really that big of a different to keep on going. What do you need a billion dollars for. Will you really spend that much? Do you need your ego rub that much?
Many of these guys STILL spend the majority of their time on making money even if they like to claim they don’t. My point is, stop being so greedy and make the best of your life. Money and personal development really does go hand-in-hand sometimes and if you’ve already made it and still wasting away what time you have left (because immortality has not yet been invented yet), you’re going to die rich but with nothing else you can claim (even if you’d like to believe your own illusion of being successful). Success isn’t just measured by wealth, it’s measured by a multitude of other things. Almost everyone has said they’re looking for the freedom that money can provide. You’ve talk the talk, now walk the walk.
3 Responses to “Diversity”
Thing is, it’s an addiction. Think of the rush that comes from winning a video game. That’s how it must feel to be a successful businessman — only greater, because now people treat you better in “real life” because you have so much money.
I’m not so sure I want to quit once I’m rich — maybe I’ll go ahead and pursue the billions. What’s so wrong about that? I’d be providing billions in value, which theoretically would lead to more people living happier lives.
It’s weird, non-rich people work to get enough money to get by. Rich people work because they’re addicted to being rich. Two very different perspectives there.
By Luke on Mar 31, 2008
@Luke
Right. I’m not saying there is a wrong or right to this. And I completely understand the feeling of wanting to make more money and the excitement involved. However there comes a point where you got to go back to fundamentals, meaning original goals of finding freedom to pursue other happiness. The point I was trying to make is that most people fail to do this. They just keep following the money train. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, I feel too many people lost touch with everything else life has to offer.
By Steven on Apr 1, 2008
Recently I’ve been reading a book that relates to this topic a bit. It’s called The Paradox of Choice.
“And one of the things these surveys [Satisfaction with Life Scale] tell us is that, not surprisingly, people in rich countries are happier than people in poor countries. Obviously, money matters. But what these surveys also reveal is that money doesn’t matter as much as you might think. Once a society’s level of per capita wealth crosses a threshold from poverty to adequate subsistence, further increase in national wealth have almost no effect on happiness”
The book mentions how the the growth in material affluence doesn’t lead to a growth in subjective well-being. Per capita income has increased in US in the past decades. Yet, divorce rate, teen suicide rate, crime rates, and depression has also increased. The book suggests that an important factor in providing happiness is close social relations.
By Lemon on Apr 7, 2008