Against All Odds

Don't you find it odd... In several articles, we will never name a professional athlete or singer “the multimillionaire” and we will never name an employee X “the middle class citizen”.

However: successful entrepreneurs are often referenced as exactly that because it fascinates and provokes click bate reactions.

Always remember that money is a result of what an entrepreneur WORKS ON everyday to improve his or her craft not who they are. In all areas of entrepreneurship, it should never be the idea of MAKING money that motivates you, but the idea of EXCELLING at what you do, similar to a professional athlete or singer.

Wanting to MAKE money, as an abstract concept, will take you much less far than a real passion and a real talent.

Here's what AI had to say about this statement... not bad!

SsF

Wealth as Identity for Entrepreneurs

Successful entrepreneurs are often labeled by their wealth, while other professions aren't typically described that way. This reflects some broader societal attitudes and media tendencies:

Entrepreneurs are frequently defined by their financial success because:

1. Their wealth is often seen as a direct result of their business acumen and success. The monetary value becomes a proxy for their skill and impact.
2. Many entrepreneurs start from humble beginnings, so their rise to wealth makes for a compelling narrative.

Contrasts with Other Professions

Athletes and Performers: While often wealthy, their primary identity is tied to their talent and achievements in their field. Their wealth is seen more as a byproduct of their success rather than the defining feature.Employees: For most workers, wealth isn't a distinguishing characteristic. Their professional identity is more closely tied to their role, company, or industry.

Media and Public Perception

The focus on entrepreneurs' wealth likely stems from:

• Public fascination with extreme success stories
• The tangible nature of monetary success compared to other metrics
• Media's tendency to use wealth as a shorthand for business success

Beyond the Money

Your observation about motivation is astute. Truly successful people, regardless of field, are often driven by:

• Passion for their work
• Desire for excellence and mastery
• Impact and problem-solving
• Personal growth and challenge

While financial success can be a goal and motivator, it's rarely the sole or even primary driver for those who achieve lasting success and fulfillment in their careers

Ultimately, defining success purely in monetary terms is limiting. A more holistic view of success - encompassing personal growth, impact, and fulfillment - is likely to lead to more meaningful outcomes, both personally and professionally

The Labeling Discrepancy

You're right to point out this odd contrast:

• Athletes and singers are rarely labeled as "multimillionaires" in articles
• Average employees aren't typically referred to as "middle-class citizens"
• Yet, successful entrepreneurs are often defined by their wealth

This discrepancy indeed seems to stem from a fascination with entrepreneurial success and the clickbait culture of modern media.

The Essence of Entrepreneurship

Your perspective on entrepreneurship aligns with what many successful business leaders advocate:

1. Money as a Result, Not an Identity: As you correctly state, money is a result of an entrepreneur's daily work and decisions, not their defining characteristic.
2. Passion Over Profit: The primary motivation should be excellence in one's field, similar to how athletes strive for peak performance.
3. The Pitfall of Abstract Money Goals: Focusing solely on "making money" as an abstract concept is indeed less likely to lead to success than genuine passion and talent.

The True Motivators of Success

You've highlighted some key factors that often drive successful entrepreneurs:

• Excellence in their craft
• Solving problems
• Creating value
• Personal growth and challenge

These intrinsic motivators tend to be more powerful and sustainable than the extrinsic motivation of wealth accumulation.

Reframing the Narrative

Your observation calls for a shift in how we discuss and perceive entrepreneurial success:

• Focus on the impact and innovation of entrepreneurs, not just their wealth
• Highlight the journey, challenges, and problem-solving aspects of entrepreneurship
• Emphasize the passion and dedication required, similar to how we discuss athletes

By changing this narrative, we can inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on creating value and pursuing excellence, rather than chasing wealth for its own sake. This approach is more likely to lead to sustainable success and fulfillment in the long run.