I bought a $14,000 Rolex watch to celebrate a career milestone. Some don't understand my lavish purchase, but it's a symbol of my success.

I've been an entrepreneur since I was 19. I start every year by setting difficult goals because I know that's how I'll create a business that allows me to retire in six years when I'm 50.

In early 2023, I set an ambitious goal: to reach $1 million in revenue in one calendar year. As a reward for achieving that goal, I would buy a luxury watch.

I've been a "watch guy" since becoming an adult, but I never thought I'd have the money to buy a Rolex, my dream watch. Reaching a million in revenue was incredibly ambitious for my business then, so I attached an equally ambitious reward to the goal.

I have an education business and corporate consultancy

My business sells several online courses and three published books. We also have a software product, and I have a team that consults corporations on leadership.

In addition to consulting corporations, I'm selling information and self-study training. I knew I had offers that could be sold and scaled to higher revenue without taking up too much of my time.

I worked hard throughout the year, focusing on sales and marketing. The idea of having a Rolex motivated me through so many moments when I felt like giving up on the goal and having an easier year.

Whenever I thought about coasting, the thought of a Rolex Yacht-Master on my wrist gave me the extra strength to keep working hard.

I reached $1 million in revenue in December 2023

The moment I saw the million-dollar Stripe notification, I was ecstatic. Thankfully, I was in my favorite city, Tokyo.

The next day, I visited a luxury watch store in Shibuya, Tokyo. I knew the exact model I wanted, so I tried two of their Rolex Yacht Masters and agreed to buy one for $14,000.

As the clerk swiped my card, I shed a few tears looking at the watch on my wrist, but I was also a little nervous about spending that much money on a single item.

I walked back to my hotel, admiring the watch. I FaceTimed my kids, family, and friends to show them the watch. They were excited for me to accomplish a major goal, but didn't understand why a Rolex.

There's been no shortage of opinions

I've repeatedly heard some version of, "I have a Casio; it tells time just like your Rolex," not understanding the significance of a luxury watch or why I bought it.

Whenever someone says that, I feel it diminishes what I have accomplished. It feels like an insult.

Buying a luxury watch, jewelry, or clothing item can be a special moment in your life; they are milestone markers. You then relive that special moment every time you put on the item — at least, I do with my Rolex.

My Rolex is not just a watch or a device for telling time; it's a visual representation of success and the hard work it took for me to reach the point of being able to buy one.

I worked hard to reach a major milestone and bring in seven revenue figures.

I'll also say that the watch has appreciated since I purchased it, so it has been a store of value.

Every time I put on my Rolex, I understand visually what's possible

The Rolex shows me daily why I should continue working hard on my life and business goals.

A Rolex or other luxury item someone values should be a goal you set and an accomplishment that changes you when you achieve it. Only you know what it took to achieve that goal, and the visual representation of success doesn't have a price tag; it will continue to inspire you.

Since getting the Rolex, I've set a new goal and attached an item to it.

The goal in 2024 was $1.5 million in revenue, and the reward was a Patek Philippe watch. I did not hit the goal, but I upped the revenue and set that watch as a reward for this year.