"Miserable people just stay miserable" - Shark Tank's Mark Cuban on the difference between being poor and rich

Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban recently featured in an episode of Your Mom's House Podcast in which he shared many details about his past. In a candid conversation regarding life and business, he shared his perspective on wealth and how it compares to being happy.

According to him, money is not what changes the happiness level of a person. He claims that those people who were miserable before getting rich will continue to be miserable no matter how much money they make.

The Shark Tank investor draws this conclusion from the times when he was struggling financially and then acquired immense success.

Recollecting a time when he faced financial hardships such as his credit card being taken away or having no electricity at home, Mark said that he was still happy and used to enjoying his life. He said:

“I tried to be a fun guy, and enjoy my life when I was broke. I was sleeping on the floor, five roommates in a three-bedroom apartment, and had a blast.”

At his core, Mark Cuban believes that happiness is not dependent on a person's financial status. Asserting this perspective, he explained:

“If you were happy when you were poor, you’re going to be happy when you’re rich. If you were miserable when you were poor, you’re going to be miserable when you’re rich. Miserable people just stay miserable no matter what the circumstances.”

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Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban talks about why money is not relevant when it comes to one's happiness

Mark Cuban, the Shark Tank investor, emphasized that people often believe that financial success is what guarantees personal fulfillment and happiness but that is not the case at all.

He says that the money has provided him with comfort, stability, and opportunities but it does not automatically solve the underlying emotional struggles or when someone has a deep dissatisfaction with life.

Many individuals find that their problems do not disappear with financial success. Instead of them going away, new stressors arise such as the pressure to maintain the newfound wealth as well as other increased responsibilities.

There is also a constant fear of losing what they have gained. The Shark Tank investor also acknowledged this shift in perspective when reminisced how he immediately bought a plane when he got rich.

It was in the year 1999 that Mark attained a billionaire status when he sold his company called Broadcast to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in stock. He also ended up buying the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.

Given the fact that his financial status allowed him to purchase luxury items, he did not say that material possessions were the key to his happiness.

Earlier in the podcast, he had highlighted how money gave him freedom to do what he wanted and he never had to care about the bills anymore. But despite it all, he highlighted how a person's mindset is what truly determines their sense of fulfillment.

His approach lies in the fact that one's ability to find joy is not dictated by their bank balance but by how they approach their life even at times when they have nothing.

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Fans can watch Shark Tank season 16 episodes weekly on ABC at 8 PM Eastern Time on Fridays. They are later available to watch on Hulu.