Former Utah Jazz owner shares his biggest mistake

Larry H. Miller provided the world a gift with his autobiography, DRIVEN. What I love most about biographies is the opportunity to study the lives of the greats and learn from their mistakes and see if I can implement one or two lessons learned into my life. 

Larry Miller was the “American Dream” becoming the owner of the Utah Jazz, running 82 businesses, and employing 8,000+ people. Unfortunately, his ambitions got the best of him, and his family paid the price for his success.  

Larry generously shares: 

“If there is one thing I’d do differently – only one- it’s this: I would have been there for the Little League games and the scraped knees and the back-to school nights… Instead of working 90-hour weeks and missing all that stuff, I’d work a more balanced scheduled, 55 or 60, and the important things would still get done… I didn’t see it until after my kids were grown and gone.” (221) 

Immediately following Larry’s passing from sickness, Larry’s wife, Gail, admits: “I’ve been waiting for him my whole life. It’s not that different now…The only time we were really together was when he got sick and could no longer go to work.” This passage from Gail reflecting on her husband broke my heart. Larry was so eager to succeed and do good but missed the damn point with the woman that loved him most! 

This 300+ page autobiography focused on all his “successes”, work challenges, and philanthropic endeavors but there were three pages in the book that made all the accomplishments multiplied by 0 in my opinion. The lack of time allocation to his kids in their youth and dedication to his spouse’s life was a huge call out for me as I seek to balance meaningful work and meaningful relationships. 

As a young father, I try to remind myself that I only get 18 Christmases with my precious children. I only get these little moments alongside my wife and must cherish them. 

I hope you have a Merry Christmas today and are able to be present with your loved ones! 

Agape, 

Matt