Julie Zhuo · 7 min read · Productivity
To All the Folks Who Are About to Be Rich
Read the original on lg.substack.com →
Congrats on becoming liquid; wealth brings relief but not guaranteed happiness. Research shows money may raise life satisfaction, but it doesn't boost everyday joy. The author shares personal observations on how wealth changes identity and career paths, urging readers to decide who they want to become.
Key Takeaways
- Money buys relief and comfort, but it does not buy lasting daily happiness; joy remains something you cultivate.
- Wealth changes your life, but you control how much it alters your identity and the people you surround yourself with.
- From tech to new passions, people pivot in different directions after a fortune: founders, artists, chefs, or stay on a similar path with new stakes.
- A Cinderella-like transformation is possible—wealth unlocks possibilities, but authenticity and purpose should steer the change.
Excerpt
You did it. Congrats! All your hard work and lucky stars and ancestors’ sacrifices have led you to this day: your stock is about to be liquid. And you are about to be rich. I use the word “rich” quite loosely. It means different things to different people. I knew folks who felt that way with a few hundred thousand, and folks who only felt that way with 100 million. It always comes down to expectations. If you ended up with way more than you expected at this point in your life, hopefully you are feeling delighted. You have probably…