What Would You Say?

An opportunity lands in your lap to speak to a room full of millionaires who are amazingly successful.

Would you struggle to figure out what you’d have to say to them?

I get nervous just thinking about speaking to a group like this.  

Instead of focusing on that nervous feeling, which is a bummer even in an imaginary scenario, I prefer to think about what I might tell the group that they need to hear.  

I might say, “Ok, you all have accomplished phenomenal feats. You’ve discovered, in one way or another, how to create a life that is glorious in countless respects, including the abundance of money and the ability to serve humanity in beautiful ways, should you choose.   

 Let’s cheer for that.”

I believe it’s good to help people focus on things about themselves that they can celebrate and admire because the human condition has an all too natural default that all too often finds us being so tough on ourselves.

I would continue, “I imagine navigating through the great and constant challenges to create the life you have created can be both exhilarating and exhausting.  It may be tempting to retire early and plan a life with as few responsibilities as possible.  After all, by sweat, tears, grit and determination, you’ve earned it.  

But that doesn’t mean it’s healthy or even all that desirable to just coast and rest through the rest of your days.  

I’m reminded of my Grandpa Francis who retired as a contractor while he was still in his fifties.  He lived to 91 and was always busy building furniture and structures, gardening, talking to an amazing variety of people, and going on adventures.  To him, retirement from his career was exceedingly interesting and purposeful.”  

Then, to drive the point home, I would pull out the toddler card, “Think about a toddler who finally learns to walk.  Does she think, ‘Well now that I’ve accomplished such a major milestone I don’t need to worry about taking on any new challenges.  I can retire at the ripe ol’ age of one!’

No, once a toddler learns to walk, they want to explore and learn to do the next 100 things that come along with their new found freedom.”  

That’s just an exercise in what I might say to this esteemed group.  

What would you say to them?  

Remember this group hasn’t yet heard the essential message coming through the magic, art and miracle that is you.  Your unique experience and perspective could help them ask new questions and draw inspiration out of them in a special and very important way.

In short, you could help them save their lives.

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