Caller: Two years ago I won a multi state lottery with coworkers $22 million, after taxes. Iโve told almost no one. Just my wife and one sibling.
Dave: Smart. What does life look like?
Caller: Same job, same house, same Toyota vehicles. Small investment team managing the money. When I do something generous like buying my mom a new roof I credit a fictitious great uncleโs inheritance.
Dave: (laughs) Thatโs brilliant. What about your kids?
Caller: Teenagers, we havenโt told them either. We want them building their own values, not waiting on an inheritance.
Dave: I raised my kids the same way. Youโre protecting them. John, youโve handled this almost perfectly. My only push, start enjoying it more intentionally. Be quietly generous, create memories with your family. $22 million should bring some joy, not just sit there
In sports you win and they hand you a medal. In business there's no trophy. So O'Leary buys himself a watch every time he closes a big deal, a physical memory of the win. Mark your victories. Nobody else is going to do it for you.