“You’re a Bundle of Wants!”

At a meeting a while back, the conversation turned to what motivates us at work. Maybe it’s making customers happy, growing through your work, or finding a new sense of purpose after starting a family. For me right now, one of my biggest motivations is the goal of buying a Porsche Panamera.

So I decided to say it out loud.

“There’s a car I really want right now… and buying it is what’s motivating me to work hard.”

When they asked what kind of car, I said, “A Porsche Panamera.” That got everyone talking: “Wow, great choice!” Then I added, “I want a car, a watch I can keep for life—and honestly, there are still so many things I want!” That’s when I heard:

“You’re such a bundle of wants! And I mean that in a good way!”

…A good way? Really? (LOL)

“I feel like people these days look down on wanting things. You hear a lot of people say, ‘I don’t want anything.’ But you’re so refreshingly open about what you want. I think that’s wonderful!”

Um… am I actually supposed to take that as a compliment?

I Want to Experience That World Before I Judge It

I used to have almost no desire for material things. I was more interested in making memories than buying stuff, so I traveled a lot. Designer labels never appealed to me—and they still don’t, especially. Uniqlo is perfectly good for clothes, and Nishimatsuya has plenty of cute, affordable outfits for my daughters. It’s not that I want everything to be expensive. But…

If it’s something I’ll use for the rest of my life, or something I truly believe is worth having, I want it—even if it costs a lot. And I think it’s wonderful to be able to spend money on something you really value.

Money isn’t everything. But those words carry more weight when they come from someone who has earned plenty, bought the things they wanted, and experienced that world for themselves. This may not be the best comparison, but if someone without a college degree says, “A degree isn’t everything,” it can sound like sour grapes. When a University of Tokyo graduate says it, somehow it carries more weight.

So if I say “Money isn’t everything” right now, it’ll just sound like sour grapes. For now, I’m happy to stay a bundle of wants—and keep working hard so I can earn more!

All right! Time to give work my best again next week.