Long Term Greed

“Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value” Albert Einstein.

The meaning behind the phrase seems fairly straightforward — it is more important to be of value (to others), than to be successful (as an individual). The best entrepreneurs are those who take this advice to heart and build businesses that add value to the world around them, which then become successful as a result. They operate in the absence of self-interest, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t greedy.

Most people tend to have the type of greed which results in short-term gains and long-term losses. For example, an entrepreneur might negotiate low salaries for his first employees to create a short-term financial gain for himself. The long-term loss, of course, is that once the employees realize this, they won’t continue to work for him. Marcus Goldman, the founder of Goldman Sachs, recognizes this type of greed and argues to instead be “long-term greedy”. Rather than maximizing your short term capital gain, you should invest it in your employees, whose hard work and loyalty will yield a higher return for you in the long run.

The concept seems simple enough when using the example of entrepreneurs in business. But how does it apply when we step back and look at entrepreneurs on a purely human level? Well, according to Einstein…

“The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained to liberation from the self” Albert Einstein

As spiritual and mindful entrepreneurs, we believe that the long-term gains are in attaining liberation from the self. These gains are measured by the value we can provide to others (e.g. your team, customers, investors, competitors, …etc). The more value entrepreneurs can provide to others, the more they are worth in this life and in the hereafter. In other words, we work in this life to increase our worth in the hereafter. That’s our long-term “greed”. So if we want to become valuable as entrepreneurs, we must first become valuable as human-beings.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life” Charles Darwin

So let’s get to it. What are some simple ways to increase your value?

• Seek knowledge. Read. Talk to mentors and advisors. Reflect and internalize. Take classes. Learn. Do whatever it takes so that you are more aware, humble, and smarter than yesterday. That’s true mastery. The success of your company and your team depends on it.
• Smile. I am serious. Smile more often. You’ll get better at it over time. Just keep doing it. It works like magic, and it is the quickest way to increase your value :)
• Be kind and compassionate. It starts with your family, then your neighbors, colleagues, customers, and random strangers. You won’t believe the amazing returns on your value/worth from this one.
• Give charity. The more you give, the more value you’ll get back in this life and in the hereafter.

You will *not* find a successful, respected, and loved entrepreneur who does not do ALL of the above. So start increasing your value regardless of whether or not people can see it right away. Eventually everyone will know it. #LongTermGreed.

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