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by lettergram 4115 days ago
Personally, I am trying to work as hard as I can so I can start a company. Even if I had $5 million I would probably keep pushing myself to ensure I had what I felt I needed to achieve my goals.

Money lets you purchase other peoples time, it's boosts your productivity, and if you can hire someone to build you something you can do ever greater things.

Although this is just my motivation, I am sure most of the highly productive or motivated people feel the same way. They want to do something great, and they know they have to work to get there.
2 comments
bryondowd 4114 days ago
This has always been my understanding of the obscenely rich. At some point, it can't be about material goods, and even status seems like a thin draw. It's got to be about power. Not necessarily as in a corrupt, evil way, but just the ability to impact the world on a national or global scale. The difference between a millionaire and a billionaire isn't how many private islands they can buy, it's how many people can be paid to further their goals, whatever those goals may be. Usually, this comes in the form of companies and/or politics. More money and more companies lets you change the world. And really, what person hasn't at some point had the thought, "Man, if I ruled the world, I would fix XYZ" You may not be able to rule the world, but with enough success and money, you can probably fix a few XYZs.
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nkozyra 4115 days ago
Well there's work and then there's "work," and I think this is the big part of what the article misses.

Put it this way - if someone asked me if I wanted to be making $250K/yr at CorpTech or $250K/yr hitting baseballs, the choice is pretty clear (at least for me, you may hate baseball). When a job is fun or emotionally rewarding, it changes the way you perceive "work."

I bring this up in response to your comment because owning and running your own company is an emotionally gratifying experience. Granted, there are moments that tear your heart out, moments that leave you awake at night, but if you're wired for this kind stimulus, you enjoy it. It stops being about (just) the money.

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thaumasiotes 4115 days ago
> if someone asked me if I wanted to be making $250K/yr at CorpTech or $250K/yr hitting baseballs, the choice is pretty clear (at least for me, you may hate baseball)

Well, of course. But that doesn't make the choice unclear ;)

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