There are currently four successful businessmen that I have to admit that I admire in some fashion:

* Donald Trump - There are many things you can say about him, however you have to admit Trump is the biggest and baddest real estate developer in Manhattan.

* Mark Cuban - Jumped from starting a multi-billion dollar Internet business into owning a NBA basketball team. He loves his job, and it shows.

* Sean “P. Diddy” Combs - Puffy started a small record label, run out of his home, and turned it into into a multi-million dollar fashion and entertainment enterprise: Bad Boy.

* Russell Simmons - Started a record label as well, and lauched the careers of many famous groups. He parlayed this initial success into a multi-million dollar fashion and entertainment empire: Def Jam.

Yes, that is quite a diverse group. I have taken some time to read up on the history of these four men, as they each fascinate me in slightly different ways.

The question I am asking, however, is once you have “made it” as a businessman, and have earned the big bucks, does that have any effect on how you approach life? (I was inspired to write on this topic from Mark Cuban's blog. I love his writing.)

Look at Donald Trump. The man has an ego as big as his multi-billion dollar bank account. He walks around with a royal swagger, somewhat like a mafia don surveying his turf. That's his style, and who am I to knock it. Every building and casino he owns is named after him. He only dates models, even his oldest daughter became one. Every wall, ceiling and fixture inside his suite at the Trump Tower is covered in gold. He goes nuts if he sees a door handle in one of his buildings that is not polished. That is his approach to life.

Then there is Mark Cuban. He is best known for his brash outspokenness. He shoots hoops before every game, and he is one of the most vocal fans sitting on the sidelines. He is a billionaire, that dresses in jeans and a t-shirt every day. As he himself says, he worked hard to become a billionaire so that he wouldn't ever have to wear a suit again. That is his approach to life.

Sean Puffy Combs is, like Donald, all about the bling. Diamond this, gold that. Fendi shirt, Gucci pants. Another guy who likes to set the fashion trends. But unlike The Donald, he doesn't seem to have a tendency to refer to himself every few minutes during conversations. He seems rather humble, and has a good sense of humor. Still, he travels with a huge entourage, is unmarried, dates models and starlets, and is quite concerned with image in everything he does.

Lastly, Russell Simmons is also a music mogul, but has what appears to be a different approach to life. He is married, and has a child. He has a huge mansion, but I think that is more of a reflection of his wife's tastes and style than his own. His wife also runs their fashion business, Phat Farm. He has written a well-regarded autobiography detailing how he went from being a street hustler to a CEO. Many famous people, including Sean Combs, recommend that book.

So...

If I were to “make it” -- become rich enough -- how would I approach life? Well, for one, I would definitely spend time with my family and friends. I would not become one of those 6am to 2am workoholics. Of course, I will only know for sure when I do become more successful, but I like to think I will never develop an ego the size of a large city...