At age 32, Mark Cuban sold his first startup, MicroSolutions, for $6 million. Instead of celebrating by splurging on a Rolex watch, he discarded his watch symbolically to signify that he wanted to be in control of his own time. Cuban’s father, who worked long hours for a company that upholstered cars, instilled in him the importance of creating his own path and not letting anyone else own his time. When Cuban sold his next company, Broadcast.com, for $5.7 billion in stock to Yahoo in 1999, he bought a $40 million private plane to further protect his time, which he values above all else.
Cuban’s purchase of a private plane was a significant milestone in his journey to reclaiming his time and independence. This transaction remains the largest single e-commerce transaction in the Guinness Book of World Records. For Cuban, the private plane symbolized not only his success but also his ability to control his own schedule and prioritize how he spends his time. Today, he wears an Apple Watch to track his health metrics but continues to prioritize spending time with his family, managing the Dallas Mavericks, appearing on “Shark Tank,” and running his pharmaceutical company, Cost Plus Drugs.
Throughout his career, Cuban has remained focused on achieving financial independence so that he can live life on his terms. He believes that time is the most valuable asset one can possess, as it is something that can never be regained once lost. Cuban’s motivation stems from his desire to call his own shots and spend his time in ways that align with his priorities and values. By creating his own path and making strategic financial decisions, such as buying a private plane, he has been able to protect his time and live life on his own terms. Cuban’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing time and making choices that align with one’s personal values and goals.
Cuban’s journey to financial independence and time ownership began at a young age when his father showed him the impact of working long hours for someone else. Witnessing his father’s lack of control over his time inspired Cuban to pursue opportunities that would allow him to create his own path and prioritize his independence. With each success, such as the sale of his companies and the purchase of a private plane, Cuban has taken steps to further protect his time and ensure that he can live life on his own terms. By staying true to his values and maintaining a focus on achieving financial independence, Cuban has been able to prioritize his time and make choices that align with his vision for his life and career.
Cuban’s perspective on time and ownership serves as a guiding principle in his approach to life and business. By recognizing the value of time as a finite and irreplaceable resource, he has been able to make strategic decisions that prioritize his independence and align with his personal goals. Cuban’s commitment to reclaiming his time and living life on his own terms serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing one’s values and making choices that empower and enable personal fulfillment. Ultimately, Cuban’s story is a testament to the power of making intentional choices that align with one’s values and drive towards achieving both financial independence and time ownership.
