Money is one of a number of ingredients that help to make for a good life. When money becomes a scorecard, it can corrupt and compromise people’s judgment. Money should be a byproduct — not a target. The target should be honest achievement.
I was not someone who made getting the highest offer out of HBS a goal, and have maintained that perspective throughout. It’s led to having enough money to never feel a need, but it also has forced some limits on how we live. We don’t buy the most expensive car or house, and my wife worked to help pay for college educations. We have never felt the worse for it.