Driven

A few weeks ago I started on a book that I have wanted to read for quite some time. FINALLY my turn came up at the library and my wifey went and checked the book out for me. The Book is called Driven, an autobiography on the life of Larry H. Miller, a very successful businessman and entrepreneur who passed away a few years back. I just wanted to share a little tidbit about some philosophies Larry had that I share and wholeheartedly support.

When Larry and Gail were first married they uncured a $3,000 medical debt and purchased a home shortly thereafter for around $25,000. They hated the draining slavery felt in servicing the debt, so they reduced their expenses as much as possible and then began to pay down the debt as aggressive as their circumstances would allow. Eventually Larry found a good deal on a Land Cruiser that he restored and sold to pay off their remaining debt. They both vowed at that moment that they would do anything possible to avoid getting into personal debt ever again. They then set another goal together as Larry received a wage increase. He didn't want to do as most and live up to that increase. Rather they went on with life as if it never occurred taking those extra dollars and saving them for the future. Larry and Gail didn't want money, they wanted security and it seems to me that they realized that no one was going to give that to them, rather they had to earn it themselves. Eventually Larry had accumulated $44,000 which he invested in a real estate deal where he was able to double his investment, gaining the initial funds to launch him into the car dealership business.

Larry was very modest in what he wore, drove, purchased, ect. He had the idea that he never wanted to let material things get the best of him. He had a love for Cobras, which he quite the collection of. In their ladder years they eventually built a home as Gail had always wanted to. But when Larry would have people over he apologized for the extravagance of their home, not wanting others to think of their family as boastful or vain. I have a guy from my church that said Larry was his Sunday School teacher as a teenager. He said he remembers Larry drove an old Firebird that he limped along till the day that it puked. From that point he just drove a modest car from one of his dealerships. He had potential for all that he ever wanted but wore the same leather banded wristwatch, simple gold wedding band, polo shirt and white tennis shoes (often times that were mailed to the players that they didn't want).

Larry beleived that his wealth was given to him as a stewardship from God and he wanted to do all the good he could with it. He was very generous in giving to his church among many local organizations, scholarships and individuals. One year he had written a goal that he would give so much to the local food bank that they would cry uncle.

I want to be like him...