The Sage on Real Wealth – A Transatlantic Flight by Yomi Garnett
New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport, the fixed-base facility that handles private and corporate jets, was rather quiet this mild spring day. I was accompanying my mentor, The Sage, on a quick transatlantic jaunt to the United Kingdom where he had a private dinner date with King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
As we boarded his recently acquired plane, I couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of modern aviation. The aircraft, a Bombardier Global 8000, otherwise known as the G8000, is an ultra-long-range business jet. It is the world’s fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde.
Outfitted with a luxurious four-zone cabin with a low cabin altitude, it is designed for unmatched speed, range, and comfort. As we settled down on the ultra-plush leather seats in the aft cabin, I turned to look at my mentor.
“Sir, in terms of comfort and luxury, what does this wonder-in-the-air really mean to you?” He remained silent for fully half a minute. When he spoke, it was with a gravity that was quite in keeping with the old boy’s reticence anytime he spoke about his humongous wealth.
“Son, I see this plane more as an end to a means than anything else. The time is 12noon, and we are just leaving the United States. With this jet, the flight time is five hours. With arrival at Gatwick Airport scheduled for 5pm, we still have a clear three-hour latitude to arrive in time not to keep the Head of the House of Windsor waiting.
“Therefore, it’s more about a combination of expedience and convenience rather than comfort and luxury. In any case, there was a time in my life trajectory, even as a confirmed billionaire, when I did not bother to own a private jet.
“Is that so?” I asked in surprise.
“Absolutely, son! At that time, which was some twenty years ago, I could afford to fly First Class, or even fly on my own plane if I so desired, but I chose to fly Economy Class, until my business obligations started to demand my presence in four different countries within, sometimes, barely forty eight hours. The reason was really quite simple. The sheer expenditure wasn’t worth the money. Do you know what I mean, son?”
“Yes, sir. Whether it is First Class, Business Class, or Economy Class, it is still an aircraft that will arrive at the same time, at the same airport, and in the same country.”
“Absolutely! Son, the trouble with most people is that they immediately upgrade their lifestyle as soon as the zeros in their bank accounts begin to multiply. A smart operator upgrades what makes the money instead. An increase in spending does not necessarily equate to an increase in growth. At the most, it translates to no more than an increase in noise, which is also no more effectual than what an empty barrel emits.
“Son, as soon as you start making substantial progress in business, ask yourself one question; just one question, ‘Does this improve the outcome?’ If it doesn’t, simply dispense with it. An opulent office premises does nothing to increase corporate revenue.
“Admittedly, clients might be impressed, but they do not necessarily patronize your business because of its swank premises. They are more interested in your execution, and a Rolls Royce is not synonymous with perfect execution.
“If your system is broken, premium tools will not fix it. Only the combination of vision, clarity of purpose, discipline, and hard work will fix it. From all I have said so far, son, what pertinent conclusion can we draw?”
“Sir, wealth has only one real job, and that is to buy back one’s time. Once one’s cup spills over, the goal shouldn’t be mindless acquisition. The goal should be the intentional acquisition that guarantees fewer constraints, less distraction, greater focus, and more effective leverage.”
“In other words, scaling to the next level shouldn’t be about looking successful. It should be about building something that not only works in your absence but also outlasts your presence in the form of an enduring legacy. That is real wealth,” the Sage concluded.
Author
Yomi Garnett MD is Nigerian world-class ghostwriter, biographer, and grant writer. A recipient of the 2023 American Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for exemplary services rendered in the creative writing domain, Dr. Garnett is a consummate global player at the most proficient level of ghostwriting and biography advisory, and having deployed rare writing and editorial expertise to close to 100 books.
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