During a weekend business retreat, powerhouse speaker, entrepreneur, and author Rita Davenport asked the most powerful question I’ve heard in ages.
She asked, “If you had 100 million dollars in the bank, and lived in a 10 million dollar home, what would you want to learn?”
Now I’ve been asked, “If money were no object, what would you do/give/buy?” But never this question. It is honestly such a far cry from anything I’ve ever been asked that my brain is still drawing a blank.
This question makes me vaguely uncomfortable and at the same time, totally excited. I see the possibility of a whole new perspective, just waiting to emerge.
I need some help here, some ideas to prime my mental pump. What is your answer?
The first thought that came to my mind was to achieve being very humble.
GREAT answer.
I would explore how to add value to others. Value comes in many forms and can help a single person or a mass of people. It would be a great way to spend your resources and energy and the possibilities are endless.
I agree – and I love the way you said this. The possibilities ARE endless.
How to be content.
What an insightful answer. I imagine this would always be a challenge, and that the money wouldn’t change this if discontent were a core belief. So maybe working on contentment now would be a good idea?
Honestly, I would want to learn how to live more like Jesus, since that is the reason for living anyway. So I would probably want to learn the most cost-efficient way to get some of that money to use for the people that it needs to help. There is a lot to learn on how to manage money properly.
Deb – I love your answer. Jesus was pure love, wasn’t he? Learning to live in pure love would be an incredible journey.
Well, I wouldn’t quit! I would be trying to make the most out of that ‘talent’ investment in me. It is a responsibility to have ample money just as it is painful to experience scarcity. Sure, there would be opportunities to give to relieve others in the moment. I have stopped, even in the presence of scarcity, being the gift cops. If I make a donation it goes where it goes and does what it does. Leaving my fingers, I have no more control over it.
But, I believe there is not guilt in the ample. There is responsibility to create situations where that continue. We may have difficulty today comprehending how fast we could run through (waste) that kind of money. A large number of lottery winners testify to the reality of that situation. I’ve never had a close acquaintance with such a large valuation, but, when I seen friends gain a little, I’m pleased to see how frugal they become!
I would invest in land — they aren’t making any more of that. I would make sure there was a fund to support my husband’s elderly mother in a manner that keeps her happy and comfortable, should she outlive her personal ability to pay for it. I would make sure our personal care — dentists, eyes, etc. were funded. Extravagance might be a tablet…I love tech gear.
Thanks for all of the thoughts – the giving, the exploration of guilt, and the love of tech gadgets!
I know exactly what I would do with $100 million. I could live very well on a small fraction of the income that money would produce, so I would invest it to produce income, become an expert in philanthropy, and start giving it away to do the most good I could in this world.
You have such a good heart, Olin!
I am not sure you remember me but you and I have sat next to each other on a couple of occasions at ASBA meetings. We joked some and I admire what you have been able to accomplish. I am the telecom consultant and I had no problem answering this one. I was the MC at a recognition dinner for a very rich person who donated enough money to build a natatorium for the local high school. To get acquainted with him to make a proper introduction he gave me a few minutes of his time before the dinner. He only had an 8th grade formal education but was obviously brilliant. Very articulate and knowledgeable. I asked him that very question. He said, when his family wanted to learn something, they went there. This has all sorts of implications…languages, history, art, cultures, business, architecture, agriculture, there is no end. He spoke of a 10 month trip on a freighter to South America to learn of the ruins and the language. If I had all the money in the world, I would go and see the world and learn from it as he did.
Jim – of course I remember you! And thank you for this comment – it is exactly the answer my husband gave.
I’d want to learn at a very deep, deep level, that it all really didn’t matter, because my security must be, and is, always with Spirit. From a former devout atheist of many years, who “came to believe” 22+ years ago, and is still working on learning this lesson. 🙂
Thank, Joyce, for being so authentic and transparent.
I would go back to college and take geology, anthropology, and archeology to enhance the knowledge I have studied on my own because I love these topics.
To be able to study for the love of it, rather than the grade or the degree – how FUN that would be!
I’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, get really good at photography, and cook like an executive chef. Not earth shattering, but the first things that came to mind!
I LOVE this question! There are so many things I’d LOVE to do (& I’d really have to sit down to make sure I created the most benefit from that kind of abundance) but some of the ones that popped into my head: immediately pay off all debt; create a nonprofit; spread the love through my biz program to domestic violence survivors; randomly, anonymously & generously give to those I came into contact with when the energies aligned; create retreats at my house (it sounds like it would be a perfect house for this) for all sorts of love + fabulosity ~ for individuals to connect with themselves & others; throw a huge party for friends & family all expenses paid so everyone could truly relax for a full weekend. I know some sounds frivolous but I’d truly want to have some fun AND give back.
What a wonderful question. Thanks for sharing it! I would want to learn more about the co-creative process and how to be one with that powerful force and use it to make a difference for good everywhere-(I call it God) With that awareness and understanding everything would be possible. And because I am a life long learner I would not stop there although I imagine the peace and contentment would last forever….there is so much to learn. It’s like peeling an onion….so many layers
I would sign up with top horse trainers so I could learn how to ride and train horses in every every kind of equitation known. I am especially interested in free style reining to music and becoming “one with the horse” in “dance”! There are multiple trainers for various fields so it would take years to learn and do and become the horse woman I have always dreamed of being! This takes a lot of time and money, dedication and commitment.
Mary Orizotti/February 4,2013
I would want to learn if I am living up to my potential, if all the blessings and talents God blessed me with were being utilized in the most effective way ,to their fullest potential. I do not want to waste a day, minute or second guessing if I left one road not traveled or path not explored.
Thank you EVERYONE for posting your thoughts. This has been so inspiring for me!
And the WINNER? Jan Baudat! Email me your address and your gift will be in the mail shortly!
How Cool! Thanks!
I will change my job from a commercial research scientist to a volunteer scientist. Use my knowledge to fund the research project that can bring great impact on human, living things and environment.