It was once said that age is wasted on the young. While I wouldn’t trade-in any of those painful lessons I’ve learned in my life, because I’ve benefited too much from them; however, I still wish I could save others from the lessons that life invariably teaches. Here’s my attempt at reaching out to the 30 year old guy. I realize that it’s likely to fall on deaf ears (as it probably would have with me at that age).
For the average red blooded 30 year old guy the focus is on success. They say “I will be happy when I get (insert shiny, new thing), the money, the 911 Porsche or the mansion”. I’ve been lucky enough to have all three. Each time I was convinced that the new success goal I was after was going to make me happy.
That type of thinking comes with a price. A price that you probably didn’t even know was on the chopping block. I have titled this phenomenon “The Louis Vuitton Factor”. See, because you’re so focused on going about the business of money making, you leave a few things out of your scope. Namely your wife or girlfriend.
This is where things get a bit messy and where I will probably lose my 30 year success maniac. I can’t tell you how many girls I have spoken to who are dying a slow death because their man is ignoring them (insert: working). The rationale that they hear from their well-meaning Donald Trump of a husband is something like “it’s my focus and hard work that gives you all of the things you have”. The problem is he gives her “everything” but none of what she actually NEEDS.
I can spot these couples a mile away. In fact, last week I couldn’t help myself. I snapped some rogue shots of this happening right before my eyes. Here’s the back story. Kim and I are on the beautiful island of Salina (in Sicily) watching the sunset at a very sexy bar overlooking the Mediterranean. People come from all over the island to have a cocktail and watch the most perfect sunset you’ve ever seen. We’re talking a life changing sunset.
As I look out of the corner of my eye. I see this striking super model looking sad and crushed. Then I see why. I spot America’s next billionaire sitting next to her, tapping away on his lap top at the bar while the sun is setting and completely ignoring her. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.
There many versions of this story, but the plot remains the same. It could be the cell phone that rings on date night that you have to take. It could be the emails that you have to return while you’re at the pool on vacation. It might even be texting while she’s telling you a story about her day.
So what’s the lesson? Your girl WILL leave you and find someone who pays attention– even if you give her a Louis Vuitton bag. Lesson: It’s NOT the bag she wants… it’s you.
100% ACCURATE!
Excellent and valid points. Did he move at all during that photo sequence?
Nice piece and great set of photos. I’m sure my wife will say that is me on the laptop. Good reminder… Thanks. I’m enjoying your blog.
Very interesting and inspiring post Rob. I had a nice chat with a lady from Nigeria asking her if she had a Vuitton bag. She responded yes. The nature of our conversation went into money and being rich and all of that stuff. Soon we got this new “subject” of meeting in real life. At this point something made it clear to me that no matter driving a Maserati, having a $4,800 FERI watch or owning a large beach mansion … this simply can never replace real relations. Real energy in friendships, love and so on. All the things we can have in the world do not matter when we have no one to share it with and by sharing I really mean “living it together”. Yes, these pics really speak for themselves. Thanks for this post!
Bart
A friend sent me this post – someone I respect very much. It did strike a chord in me. That guy in the picture is literally me, or could be – I’m about to hit 30 and am starting to really feel success as my company grows fast, but it is coming at a cost. This is a topic I’ve thought long and hard over. My conclusion was that I’m willing to give “her” (or the idea of “her” at the least) up for success at this point in my life. This isn’t selfish – far from it in fact. Achieving financial freedom is important so that I can one day be undivided in the attention towards the woman I want to be with but more importantly – my family. For that, I’m happy to follow the rule of delayed gratification and give up “her” or “fun” now, for freedom later.