The other day at a networking meeting one of the attendees suggested that we need to be more business-like. I replied, "I like it that we are not so structured and that we can have fun while still getting our business done." "What can be more fun than making money?" she countered.


Hmm. That was several days ago, and I can't stop thinking about her point of view. My initial reaction was that I can think of about 100 things more fun than making money. I held my tongue.
I've written about this before, but money is seldom something to which I aspire. My business is focused on giving me and my family the kind of lifestyle that we want, which revolves around freedom, flexibility and fun. As for clients, I control how many I have at any one time so that I can focus on a few rather than many solutions to grow their businesses.
Understandably, to achieve our lifestyle we need to make enough income to pay our mortgage and meet our basic needs. Neither my wife, who also is an entrepreneur, nor I care much about material things, so we enjoy our simple lives. And we are happy, which is what we have worked for all our lives.
That said, I recognize that money is a driving force in our society. I am curious, however, how many of you agree with my friend's philosophy that asks: "What can be more fun than making money?"
Is making money fun for you? Do you enjoy accruing adult toys such as plasma screen TVs and new cars and do they bring you joy?
One last question that I often thing about: Does making money hurt our clients if it drives us to recommend our more profitable products and services even if something less expensive works just as well or better?
Speak out! I am sure we all can learn something about the ways fun equates to money.