Why Do We Follow Millionaires? A Story of Self-Worth and Inspiration

## **Introduction: The Allure of Wealth and Success**

We live in a world obsessed with wealth. From social media influencers flaunting luxury lifestyles to self-help gurus preaching the secrets of financial freedom, millionaires have become modern-day heroes. But why do we follow them? Is it admiration, aspiration, or a silent admission that we believe ourselves to be "nothing" in comparison?

This is a story about **self-worth, inspiration, and the dangerous myth that wealth defines value**.

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## **Chapter 1: The Janitor Who Was Worth Millions**

Ronald Read was a janitor. For 17 years, he swept floors at a department store after spending 25 years pumping gas. To the outside world, he was an ordinary man—humble, quiet, and unremarkable. But when he died at 92, people discovered he had amassed an $8 million fortune through disciplined investing and frugal living .

Ronald didn’t chase fame or validation. He didn’t need Lamborghinis or Instagram followers to prove his worth. Yet, his story went viral because it shattered the illusion that wealth is only for the elite.

**Lesson:** *We follow millionaires not because they are better, but because their success makes us question our own potential.*

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## **Chapter 2: The Billionaire’s Toilet Water and the Myth of Superiority**

Steve Jobs, one of the most revered billionaires, had bizarre habits—soaking his feet in toilet water, eating only fruits until his skin turned orange . People studied his quirks as if they held the key to success. But did they?

A former aide to a reclusive billionaire shared how his boss paid for a neighbor’s life-saving surgery without fanfare. Another billionaire built seven private restaurants just to avoid crowds . These stories fascinate us, but they also reveal a truth: **wealth doesn’t make someone wiser or kinder—it just gives them more options.**

**Lesson:** *We follow millionaires because we confuse wealth with wisdom. But true worth isn’t measured in dollars.*

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## **Chapter 3: The Quiet Millionaire Who Didn’t Need Approval**

Dan Koe, a digital entrepreneur, made $5 million selling online courses—not through flashy marketing, but by being different. He fused philosophy and business, ignored niche stereotypes, and avoided the "Lambo bro" culture .

When fans started stalking him, he retreated, realizing privacy was true wealth. His story teaches that **success isn’t about external validation—it’s about building something meaningful on your own terms.**

**Lesson:** *We follow millionaires hoping their success will rub off on us. But the real power lies in defining success for ourselves.*

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## **Chapter 4: The Self-Made Millionaire Who Copied Habits, Not People**

Alan Corey, a real estate investor, became a millionaire by studying wealthy mentors—not idolizing them. He noticed his basketball coaches, who wore tracksuits instead of suits, valued freedom over status symbols. He copied their habits:

1. **Focusing on strengths** (he sucked at shooting but excelled at defense).

2. **Avoiding greed** (his coaches gave time freely, so he did too).

3. **Valuing effort over perfection** (failure was part of the process) .

**Lesson:** *We follow millionaires for their habits, not their bank accounts. But blindly copying them without self-awareness leads to emptiness.*

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## **Chapter 5: The Dark Side of Billionaire Worship**

Not all millionaire stories are uplifting. One former staffer recalled a billionaire who kept a "list of 10 executives to fire every quarter" to keep employees fearful . Another sued contractors for fraud just to avoid paying them .

The self-help industry worships billionaires, repackaging their advice as gospel. But as Vox’s Whizy Kim notes, this perpetuates a myth: *"If you’re not rich, you just didn’t work hard enough"*—ignoring privilege, luck, and systemic barriers .

**Lesson:** *Following millionaires can inspire—or imprison us in comparison. The key is to learn without losing self-respect.*

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## **Conclusion: You Are Not "Nothing"**

We follow millionaires because their stories are mirrors. Sometimes they reflect possibility ("If they did it, so can I"). Other times, they distort reality ("I’ll never be enough").

But the truth is:

- **Ronald Read proved wealth isn’t about income—it’s about discipline.**

- **Dan Koe showed that authenticity beats flashy status.**

- **Alan Corey reminded us that habits, not heroes, build success.**

**Final Lesson:** *Follow millionaires for strategies, not validation. Your worth isn’t defined by their wealth—it’s defined by your growth.*

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### **Reflection Question**

*If you woke up tomorrow as a millionaire, what would change? Your bank account—or your self-worth?*

The answer reveals why we follow them in the first place.

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