The Problem with Being a Self-Made Billionaire

I read an article some time ago about the youngest self-made billionaire in the world. Yes, that’s BILLION with a “B!” After dealing with a brief moment of envy, a few thoughts came to mind.

On the one hand, I get it. It’s inspiring to hear stories about people who become successful through a combination of talent and grit. We usually think of a “self-made” billionaire, millionaire, or anything else, as someone who has achieved remarkable success against exceptionally challenging circumstances or even outright opposition. Rising from humble beginnings with few resources and little, if any, assistance from others, they climb to the top of their profession, serving as an example and an inspiration to the rest of us.

I think of people I have known who faced challenges, exceeded expectations, and achieved remarkable success. There is a God-given resilience in the human spirit that allows us to overcome obstacles and sometimes even crushing circumstances of personal loss. Sometimes it is those very circumstances that evoke greatness that otherwise might have gone undiscovered.

Which brings me back to that “youngest self-made billionaire.”  On the one hand, I get it.  The only problem is it’s just not true, at least not the “self-made” part.  All of us owe a debt to someone. If we are honest, each of us owes a debt to a lot of people. Parents, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, and sometimes even those people who just rub us the wrong way.  They all influence us in ways that may go unnoticed and unacknowledged yet still help shape the person we become.

Except for those individuals who believe they alone are responsible for their achievements, I suspect most successful people give credit to someone who contributed to their success.  As I once read, “the best astronaut in the world can’t fly to the moon unless someone gives them a rocket.” We live in a culture that celebrates independence while quietly starving for connection. We are taught to build personal brands, optimize ourselves, and curate success stories. But real growth still happens through relationships.

A few years ago, I wrote something at the top of my daily journal that I still read each morning. It says simply, “Everyone needs a guide as well as companions along the way if we are to fully become the person God intended us to be.” I have been blessed with both guides and companions as well as the privilege of being a guide and companion to others. I suspect the same is true for you.