An important trait for those who aspire to “fame and fortune” is to develop is a thick skin.
Although we admire the rich and famous, many are also are jealous and critical of them. No matter how rich and famous people use their money and influence, many people believe two things:
- “They” don’t deserve it. Most business leaders accomplish significant things together with other people. It’s a popular public opinion that the workers in the business have been exploited and cheated. Another popular opinion is the public didn’t receive the value for the amount paid for the product or service. The fact that a few businesses have sold unsafe products and defrauded the public has been used to color all businesses as evil. The reality is with so much information instantaneously shared today on social media, it’s actually hard for a business to survive for long that doesn’t deliver honest value. A misconception is most of the super-wealthy inherited their wealth. If you study the Fortune 100 wealthiest individuals, you’ll find most of them accumulated their wealth through their own businesses and investments. Inherited wealth is usually dissipated within a few generations after the death of the person who generated the wealth.
2. “They” can’t be trusted with their wealth. Although the public loves to watch television shows like “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” (which was a fanciful portrayal of how the wealthy live) and to read gossip magazines, many believe the wealthy can’t be trusted to wisely use their wealth. Needy causes (“like me”) are “entitled” to it. Even individuals like Bill Gates, who have established large charitable foundations devoted to solving world problems, aren’t trusted. Why should the money go to their causes? Meanwhile, most of us believe governments are enormously wasteful in managing finances. So, who can be trusted? (“Me.”)
Since you “can’t win”, what can a person who achieves “fame and fortune” do?
Check your own moral compass. Examine your own values. Do you what you think is best according to your own conscience.
Remember you can do a lot more good with your wealth that those who don’t have it, and it can buy your freedom.
Don’t read your own press.
Don’t obsess about what other people think.