My work allows me hang out with a unique circle: CEO’s of major corporations, self made millionaire entrepreneurs, 12 figure stock traders and trust fundees.

One could say they “have” everything. And that includes problems. First world problems, sure but problems nonetheless.

Truth be told they’re not even problems, they’re more like fears.

Fear of Identity: Which car or watch should I buy?

Fear of Scarcity: Should I take this new business venture?

Fear of Failure: How can I do more?

Fear of Ego: What will others think?

In other words, they’re people, just like you and me. And they have the same needs and struggle with the same things. Sure the variables are different but the “problems” remain.

If there’s one thing my interaction with these men has taught me, it’s that we’re all human. Money and fame are just superficial ways of making that fact, like sports teams, race, religion, and national heritage.

One man whom I’m the most fond of, a self made multi millionaire, extremely humble, intelligent, eloquent to the point where I use a dictionary just to maintain conversion, was concerned about the well being of his daughter.
I told him it’s normal, that it’s a sign he’s a good parent, a caring father.

Discussing the future of his daughter, now just an innocent 4 years old, he was visibly stressed and confused.
His concern was different than most. He was worried about leaving her too much money, about not instilling in her the values of hard work, discipline and the will to overcome adversity.
“It’s a good problem to have, don’t you think?” He ignored my rhetoric. It’s still a problem.
“$5,000,000 is too much don’t you think?”
“Way too much.”

We debated for some time in a serious discussion as one would debate the pros and cons of a business, and settled on $250,000 over 5 years.
Just enough, but not too much.
Isn’t that what we all want? I said to him.

And that’s just the thing. The deca millionaire and the man bagging groceries, deep down, both want the same things.
Love, acceptance, affirmation, dignity, health, purpose… enough but not too much.

Everything else is just bullshit.