How do you feel about people who have achieved ridiculous financial success at the same age as you?

[Searcher]

First of all I think it's amazing if one reaches a stage in life where they earn millions every year.
It's quite inspirational to see people in their 20's being multi millionaires.

However at the same time it's hard not to feel jealous or thinking whether you have done something wrong with your life that you haven't achieved the same level of success.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Chase]

@Sully,

Have you achieved any other kind of success in a different domain?

If so, then you can look at that and decide whether you would've preferred to have achieved your success or his success. Usually you will find that, given the choice, you would still have chosen yours. People tend to pursue whatever type of success they value most.

Have you not achieved comparable success in any other domain?

Then rather than feel jealous, you might want to pick the guy's brain and figure out what drives him, what motivates him, why he does what he does, what his journey to get there entailed, and see what you can't take away from that to achieve similar ends. If you don't know him personally then look for somewhere he talks about his journey and motivations and learn from that.

Chase

 

[orkie123]

To add to what Chase said, I find most people don't know what they want or don't like the grind required to become experts in one area of life.

There's technically nothing wrong with being average at many things. Life is more varied and there is less pressure.

But if you do want to become relevant in a certain skill, then you have to 1) figure out what that skill is and 2) be willing to put in the hundreds/thousands of hours grind to become proficient.

My fav example of this is watching the series Suits. It makes it seem being a lawyer is the most badass job around. Except the reality of it is you would spend most of your time working 12 hour+ days doing boring paperwork.

 

[Zoro]

The comparison game is a nasty one. It can demotivate you, cause you to devalue your own worth, and have you lose focus on what really matters in life.

You should know that no one is perfect or has it figured out. Sometimes the flashy lifestyle is a compensation for the emptiness people feel. Not all that glitters is gold.

That being said, if you are motivated to make a lot of money, and that is coming from a healthy place within you, then go for it! There are plenty of people who live great lives, just don't be duped into thinking they post it on social media or that what you're seeing online is the whole story.

But if you're looking around, wishing you could have what others have... Know that what you're lacking in that moment is not "what they have", but a connection to your own values and motivations.