When reading about Jeff Bezos, you can't help but wonder what it feels like to be the richest person in the world. If your net worth is estimated at almost $200 billion, you definitely deserve a superyacht like this one. almost the same size Like the Great Pyramid of Giza (if the vessels were placed vertically). In fact, owning such a ship is cheaper than firing rockets into the air, another popular hobby of billionaires.
In the history of ultra-rich industrialists, the world's first billionaire was the father of the oil industry, John D. Rockefeller. He used the new technology of the time to make a huge fortune, a trend that continues to this day. There's something to be said about being in the right place at the right time.
Today, more than ever, there is incredible wealth creation happening. Still, this billionaire's club remains incredibly exclusive. According to , there are 2,744 billionaires on this planet. forbes. It is estimated that by 2030, the richest 1% of the population will own one. two-thirds of the world's wealth.
become a millionaire
Do you have what it takes to become a millionaire? Author F. Scott Fitzgerald once said: “Let me tell you about the super rich. They're different from you and me.” Do these people have a mysterious X-factor? Billionaires have more in common than their bank account balances Are there many points?
A few years ago, historian and sociologist Rainer Zitelmann We interviewed 45 wealthy people in Germany, most of whom were self-made entrepreneurs with net worths of between 30 million euros and 1 billion euros. Mr. Zitelman had people take the Big 5 personality test to determine whether certain personality traits play a significant role in the successful pursuit of wealth.
In the field of psychology, The Big Five Model It suggests that behavior is determined by people's levels of neuroticism, conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness. Zitelmann found that the very wealthy scored lower. neurosis Therefore, they tended to cope better with stress.they looked like that extroverted (or knew how to present himself that way) open to new experiencesMoreover, there are fewer of them. I can agreeThis means they are less likely to avoid conflict.And in the end they turned out very well Conscientious, That means being more detail-oriented and thorough.
In short, the ultra-rich may be different from you and me, but they're not all that different. Given my work as an executive coach, psychoanalyst, and business professor, I've dealt with quite a few of them, so I'd like to add my own observations.
Inner Theatre
Most self-made millionaires seem to have been raised by parents who encouraged them to pursue their own interests. But fairly early in life, these budding super-rich realized the importance of taking control of their own lives. Working for someone else became a very unattractive proposition for them. As a result, many grew up with entrepreneurial role models in mind.
Moreover, they began to understand the importance of having money from an early age. They see this as a tool that offers a variety of options and opportunities. In other words, their pursuit of money is tied to their primary desire to have more control over their lives.
Besides these characteristics, I also noticed the following common behavioral themes:
drive
Many self-made millionaires are a little different. Weltanschauungor worldview, compared to the run-of-the-mill businessman. They are highly focused and have big ideas. They are also very talented at imagining possible futures. In addition, they tend to be highly motivated and have a lot of energy. Fascinated by grandiose obsessions, they will focus on whatever it is they want to achieve.
decision
These people seem very determined. And they don't give up easily. Even in the face of crisis and setbacks, they take action and move forward. They don't wallow in self-pity or become depressed. They also know that success doesn't come overnight. They have a long-term view.
interpersonal skills
Many of these people tend to be somewhat sociable. They realize that starting a business venture is not a solo activity. Given this interpersonal skill set, they have a talent for persuading others to embrace their dreams. Moreover, undeterred by critics and naysayers, they never take no for an answer and always find a way around the obstacles in front of them.
Nonconformity
While others spend their time and energy integrating into society, the ultra-wealthy carve their own path. It doesn't matter if it goes against popular opinion. In fact, many of them enjoy swimming against the current. Some people worry that their way of thinking is too mainstream.
Confidence
Another notable trait of the ultra-wealthy is self-efficacy. They have a can-do attitude. They strongly believe in their abilities. They begin to attribute success to their own efforts. Because they have a locus of control within themselves, they do not attribute their accomplishments to luck, fate, or circumstances. They are very self-confident and are sure that they can solve any problem.
work ethics
The ultra-wealthy are highly results-oriented.. They set difficult goals for themselves and work hard to achieve them. Whatever you do, go above and beyond the call of duty. Moreover, they are not easily satisfied. We are always striving to achieve better results.
strong intuition
Compared to average business executives, ultra-wealthy people make more decisions based on intuition rather than relying on detailed analysis. Somehow they are able to bridge the gap between the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind.
competitive spirit
Self-made millionaires thrive in competition. In fact, many of them seem to have gleaned accomplishments from sports that taught them how to handle winning. It also taught them how to assert themselves against competitors. Plus, it gave them a higher tolerance for frustration.
risk tolerance
They also know how to take calculated risks. They strongly believe in the saying, “No guts, no glory.” For them, avoiding risk is not the way to achieve great results. At the same time, we are constantly asking ourselves how we can minimize losses. In other words, they are risk tolerant but not impulsive.
The dark side of the super rich
If you think you have what it takes, then you should ask yourself what owning that much money will do for you. Or to your descendants. Children who feel unable to escape your shadow may lose their motivation to achieve anything in life. They may become financially irresponsible. They may end up aimless and estranged in this world, at the mercy of the gold miners.
Moreover, while money is a force for good, it can also be a corrupting influence. It can turn some people into greedy and inconsiderate people. Wealth can be a very dangerous god to worship. As a result, these people can become attracted to “dark dyads”, a toxic brew of narcissism and psychopathy.
Some ultra-wealthy people acquire a sense of superiority over others and believe that they deserve special treatment. Whatever narcissistic tendencies they had, their wealth amplified them. Then, like other narcissists, they begin to believe that rules are for others, not for themselves. Some people may have psychopathic traits, lacking sympathy or empathy. They feel they must win at all costs and are willing to deceptively manipulate and exploit people and situations for personal gain.
These dark traits may partly explain the success of many billionaires, which could be why someone like Bezos keeps most of his profits in his own pocket. Working conditions There is something missing in his warehouse and why his company tax avoidanceI wonder if the job of making the world a better place should be left to the super-rich, who have no responsibility.
Money as a force for good
If you want to become a millionaire, you don't have to be an obnoxious, manipulative narcissist. In fact, most billionaires are just like you and me in that they want to belong and are looking for meaning and purpose.but Do you know how to turn your money into a force for good? Can you choose the most appropriate causes to donate your money to? And if your choices influence public policy, should you be the only one making these choices?
Of course, if you want your wealth to be a force for good, instead of giving your kids lots of money, follow the example of billionaires like Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. It would be better to wealth. They have also launched initiatives such as the Giving Pledge, a campaign in which more than 200 billionaires pledged to donate the majority of their wealth to charity.
In fact, the Giving Pledge looks like a very thoughtful initiative. After all, how long will ordinary people put up with a situation where just a few people own most of the world's wealth? It's an invitation to social anxiety. So while you may want to join the ranks of the world's richest people, be careful not to end up with a revolution on your hands.
