NBA legend and businessman Shaquille O’Neal has shared how a change in perspective completely transformed the way he views wealth, revealing why he no longer feels the need to show off his success.
Speaking during an interview, O’Neal recalled that his mindset was very different about 15 years ago. According to him, the culture around him encouraged people to do things on a grand scale and make sure everyone knew about it.
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He said that after buying his first house, which measured about 25,000 square feet, he decided to expand it to 70,000 square feet simply to make a statement.
“When I first bought my house, it was 25,000 square feet. I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna make my shit 70,000 square feet to let these motherf##kers know it’s my house,’” he recalled.
However, O’Neal said his perspective changed after returning one summer and noticing that other people in the neighborhood owned even larger homes.
He said one property measured about 90,000 square feet, another around 130,000 square feet, and he found himself wondering who the owners were because nobody seemed to know them.
“I’m asking everybody, ‘Who are these guys?’ Nobody knows. And that’s the difference. Wealthy people, they just do,” he said.
Using the building where the interview was taking place as an example, O’Neal pointed out that while someone was making a fortune from owning it, most people had no idea who the owner was.
He eventually discovered that one of the largest homes measuring about 150,000 square feet belonged to the owner of a timeshare business.
Recalling his visit to the mansion, O’Neal said the experience humbled him.
“His shit… I went in his crib, and it made my crib look like a facing apartment complex. His shit was so beautiful, he said.
The NBA Hall of Famer said that moment made him rethink his approach to success and public displays of wealth.
“I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna change my mentality. I’m gonna just go about my business without telling everybody what I’m doing.’”