Money and the Meaning of Life

Forbes magazine recently released its list of the 400 richest Americans. Along with the list, some interesting tidbits were published. For example, the net worth of these 400 wealthy (to put it mildly) individuals equals $1.2 trillion, nearly the gross domestic product of Britain.

Bill Gates' net worth of $63 billion exceeds the gross domestic product of Peru. Larry Ellison isn't too far behind with a net worth of $58 billion. The poorest person on the list has a net worth of only $725 million. Thank goodness for food stamps!

Going over the list name by name and seeing the incredible wealth these people possess, made me wonder what motivates them – most of which are still very active in their businesses – to keep on keeping on? That is, what makes these people tick?

Knowing he's worth $63 billion, Bill Gates need not work another day in his life. He need not worry about monetary problems (the Department of Justice is another story!), as he could spend millions every day and have plenty to last him and his family many lifetimes over.

Most men work to eke out a living. Beyond that, a good number of men work to become millionaires and sometimes even billionaires. Often, men will work to be able to afford themselves and their families a comfortable (perhaps even lavish) lifestyle.

At some point, however, many men achieve such wealth that they can easily cover the costs of lavish living and still have much left over. Yet they keep working just as hard as before, if not harder. They keep striving for more. What is important to note is that once they achieve wealth, they are no longer striving for the money; they are striving for greater achievement, more success, more dominance, perhaps even a place in history.

That is why these men often say, quite honestly I believe, that money is just a way of keeping score. Money is merely the means to an end and not the ultimate goal.

So if money loses its meaning at some point, then what exactly keeps these guys going? Larry Ellison seems to want to become the world's richest man and surpass his archrival Bill Gates. Some might think his goal is monetary but it in fact isn't.

So the ultimate goal is not about the amount of money one can accumulate. The money will help get you there, but it is merely a tool used to acquire what you are really after.

Respect & recognition

Having money is great; it allows you to buy things, go on nice vacations (if you can find the time), have a maid, and generally helps make life a little more pleasant. But money can't buy respect.

Human beings, this includes businessmen, fundamentally need the recognition of their accomplishments from peers. And it doesn't stop at recognition. It isn't enough for a man to be recognized as good (or great) if those who recognize him don't allow him an equal amount of respect.

Great men = great things

Some of history's most celebrated figures weren't necessarily the richest people. Most US presidents don't even rank as the top million richest people in the country. Compare Bill Clinton to Bill Gates: President Clinton's net worth is less than a rounding error on Mr. Gates' balance sheet.

Yet as president of the United States, he was arguably the most powerful man on earth. The point I'm making is that a man's monetary worth is only one of many aspects that help determine his place in the history books.