Wealth Habits

CHAPTER 19Contribution: Where True Wealth Lies

The Final Habit

I was 25, and I had just bought a commercial building. This didn't seem like a big deal to me—as I had bought other properties before this—but to others it seemed odd that my goal was to buy the whole street. This particular building was on the corner, so I figured if I secured the corners, it would be easier to buy the others in between.

I bought the building without a clear plan on what to do with it. I knew it was a good deal and also knew I'd figure it out. Fast-forward to a year later—it was still sitting there, empty.

One night after a long day of work I decided to call it quits and head home. I locked up my office, got into my black Escalade, and started the drive. I stopped at a red light—right on the corner by that building I owned. I remembered sitting at the light thinking, “What am I going to do with that building?”

I had an Escalade. I had a convertible. I had designer bags and fancy shoes. I had rental properties. I lived in a nice house. I traveled to beautiful places. The business I started was successful. I was in the process of creating my own line of products. I had new spa locations mapped out and was ready to buy more buildings so I could expand into three new cities. I was in talks with attorneys about franchising the spa and was making more money than most people I knew at that time, and had checked off every goal I had made to achieve “before I turned 30”—but something still felt off.

It ...