The Myth of the “Self-Made Millionaire”

The Myth of the “Self-Made Millionaire”

The idea of a “self-made” millionaire is a deeply flawed myth. When someone claims that all their success, whether in sports or financial achievements, is solely due to their own efforts, it raises a significant red flag for me. There was a time in my life when I believed in fantastical notions like Santa Claus and Peter Pan. But just as I eventually understood the laws of gravity and the logistical impossibility of a toy factory at the North Pole, I also came to see the fallacy in the concept of a “self-made millionaire.”

As a young adult, I was captivated by the idea that through sheer willpower, one could achieve financial success. By the age of 20, I had set a goal to become a “self-made millionaire” by 25. Raised by a single mother in South Africa, the obstacles seemed immense. Yet, after moving to the USA and establishing a real estate business, my net worth surpassed a million dollars within seven years. Despite this, after nearly two decades of striving and experiencing various highs and lows, the truth became clear: no one achieves anything significant entirely on their own.

Believing in the notion of being “self-made” is often a product of ego. It’s a dangerous mindset, as it overlooks a fundamental truth about how value is created. An entrepreneur, for instance, relies on countless others—the manufacturers of the resources they use, the customers who buy their products, and many more. We are not solitary beings living on an isolated island. Even Tom Hanks’ character in “Cast Away” needed Wilson.

We all rely on others, whether we acknowledge it or not. Other people’s mindsets, opinions, strategies, challenges, resources, and support shape our paths. Our lives are enriched when we recognize and appreciate the contributions of others—the good and the bad. Sometimes we forget the impact others have had on us, how they’ve helped us build resilience, or shaped us into the people we’ve become. In a world where kindness is often mistaken for weakness, we must not confuse ego with confidence.

A truly “made” person is someone who understands who has helped shape them. It’s never just themselves; it’s everyone and everything around them—from our Creator to our parents, to the books we read, the shows we watch, and the people we surround ourselves with. We can’t claim sole ownership of our success once we recognize the profound impact others have had on our journey. When we take a moment to reflect on all that others have done for us, we’re overwhelmed with humility, appreciation, and the realization that we are deeply loved.