Dear old James May,
Co-star/presenter of TV's very popular "Top Gear" must have one of the world's great jobs. If you've followed the show (by the way "I am the STIG!") you may have seen him max the Bugatti Veyron at 407 kph. It was awesome but what I really appreciated most was the effect that it had...or that he 'let it have' on him. I understand him...James has a deep sense of awe and wonder... he's actually quite a humble guy. So too here...having the chance to fly to the edge of space - follow the youtube link below; what a privilege.
Yes, I know that it's more politically correct to say that if we had all this money we'd give it all away or do something very noble...and I hope that those of us who achieve a degree of financial success will be inclined to 'give back'; not out of a sense of guilt but because we believe that it is the right thing to do and that, being motivated by 'love' (not guilt or fear), it is the joy of helping others that drives us.
However, in my experience, few people have ever achieved great financial success as the result of a purely philanthropic goal...the human psyche is funny that way...it seems that there needs to be a a dream or goal that gets us excited in a personal - perhaps a 'selfish' way. Maybe it's driving (or buying!) a Bugatti; maybe it's Space tourism - or just parachuting or flying 1st class. Many years ago, I just needed to replace my wife's income so that we could start a family. That was $100,000 per year and we had exactly three years to do it...a clear, simple and personally meaningful goal...with a date! So let me ask you this...what gets you excited? The achievement, or even the possibility of achievement, of what goal would cause you to do the necessary work, to learn, to take counsel, and make the personal, attitudinal or structural changes in your life to realise that goal? Some of us carry so much baggage that we shall never reach escape velocity.
Be reassured, however, that if you are predisposed to be a generous and loving person...the success (and wealth) is likely to just make you more of what you were and no amount of money will buy a fine character for those who have none or who are not prepared to work diligently on refining the one they have.
"Dream like a child; plan like an adult; work likes there's no tomorrow!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=x6cZLfK4Zjk
Co-star/presenter of TV's very popular "Top Gear" must have one of the world's great jobs. If you've followed the show (by the way "I am the STIG!") you may have seen him max the Bugatti Veyron at 407 kph. It was awesome but what I really appreciated most was the effect that it had...or that he 'let it have' on him. I understand him...James has a deep sense of awe and wonder... he's actually quite a humble guy. So too here...having the chance to fly to the edge of space - follow the youtube link below; what a privilege.
Yes, I know that it's more politically correct to say that if we had all this money we'd give it all away or do something very noble...and I hope that those of us who achieve a degree of financial success will be inclined to 'give back'; not out of a sense of guilt but because we believe that it is the right thing to do and that, being motivated by 'love' (not guilt or fear), it is the joy of helping others that drives us.
However, in my experience, few people have ever achieved great financial success as the result of a purely philanthropic goal...the human psyche is funny that way...it seems that there needs to be a a dream or goal that gets us excited in a personal - perhaps a 'selfish' way. Maybe it's driving (or buying!) a Bugatti; maybe it's Space tourism - or just parachuting or flying 1st class. Many years ago, I just needed to replace my wife's income so that we could start a family. That was $100,000 per year and we had exactly three years to do it...a clear, simple and personally meaningful goal...with a date! So let me ask you this...what gets you excited? The achievement, or even the possibility of achievement, of what goal would cause you to do the necessary work, to learn, to take counsel, and make the personal, attitudinal or structural changes in your life to realise that goal? Some of us carry so much baggage that we shall never reach escape velocity.
Be reassured, however, that if you are predisposed to be a generous and loving person...the success (and wealth) is likely to just make you more of what you were and no amount of money will buy a fine character for those who have none or who are not prepared to work diligently on refining the one they have.
"Dream like a child; plan like an adult; work likes there's no tomorrow!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=x6cZLfK4Zjk
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