I don't feel like a wealthy person. Other people think of me as a wealthy person, but I don't. I feel the same as when I was a fifth-year associate trying to make partner at Lehman Brothers. I haven't changed.
Interpretation
True wealth is not just about money; it’s about how one perceives themselves and their achievements.
In this quote, Stephen A. Schwarzman expresses the idea that regardless of his financial status or the perception of others, he still feels the same as he did during his early career. It highlights the notion that success does not solely equate to wealth, but rather to a continual journey and the mindset one maintains throughout their life.
In practice
Using this quote in a motivational speech about maintaining humility despite success.
I have a saying: There are no brave old people in finance. Because if you're brave, you mostly get destroyed in your 30s and 40s. If you make it to your 50s and 60s and you're still prospering, you have a very good sense of how to avoid problems and when to be conservative or aggressive with your investments.
Ironically, when a bunch of very smart people are sitting around a table for hours trying to figure out whether they should do something, that tends to not necessarily lead to the best results.
Sometimes, success in life is knowing one's limitations.
The biggest mistake I've seen people make with their careers is, when they're good, after two or three years - and they happen to be smart - they announce that they're going out to start their own firm.
Another qualification of success is that we not only bring harmonious and beneficial results to ourselves, but also share those benefits with others.
My songs are the door to every dream I've ever had and every success I've ever achieved.
I didn't have any idea that I would be able to have a career in film.
Whenever I talk to people who founded a company, I often like to ask the prehistory questions 'When did you meet? How long have you been working before you started the company?' A bad answer is, 'We met at a networking event a week ago, and we started a company because we both want to be entrepreneurs.'
In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated.
It's not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.
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