Words: James Somper
, Forget the dream, it’s not real. Regardless of how wealthy you are, the demands placed upon you only increase. That ironic combination of luck, gruelling hours and missed weekends that creates the billionaire has to intensify as time goes on. The pain increases as the stakes become higher. Here’s five sacrifices that even the most successful of us have to make.
Time
Money: you’ve got more than most. However, you can forget having the time to enjoy it. As Bill Gates or Warren Buffett will tell you, with success the responsibilities and demands on your time only increase. For the billionaire, most days are spent dealing with the vast network of companies and shares they own whilst working around constant market updates, corporate events and briefings. You certainly won’t see them down the pub.
Family
Your work becomes your life. Every moment of the day is planned around a schedule that allows you keep the ball rolling. Whether it’s a conference call to New York whilst on your jet inbound to Beijing or dinner with shareholders, the billionaires day revolves around all things business. Family comes last.
Notoriety
Billionaires are Royalty: everyone knows who they are. The Gates’s, Buffett’s and Slims’s of this world are demagogues, worshiped and kowtowed to at the alter of adoration. It’s not all fun and games though. endure the same status as the
Stress
At this level the stakes are far higher than they’ve ever been. A slight change in the markets could spell disaster for you. Your life is spent constantly planning how to best protect your assets from the prying eyes of the corporate raider whilst staying one step ahead of the market.
Freedom
You’re a slave to the rhythm of your empire. The desk is your throne and the office you’re true home. Everyone wants to know what you think and you can’t remember the last time you walked outside, unescorted by your PA and Security team.
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