A mathematician shockingly rejected the $1 million prize. The reason why (and what you can learn from it): Grigori Perelman is a mathematician considered to be one of the smartest humans alive. He became known around the global mathematics community for his work that made previously impossible proofs appear obvious in hindsight. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal for his contributions to the field. But in a crazy twist, Perelman declined to accept it. "[The prize] was completely irrelevant for me. Everybody understood that if the proof is correct, then no other recognition is needed." Later that year, he formally walked away from professional mathematics and moved to a small town outside Saint Petersburg, Russia, to live with and look after his elderly mother. In 2010, Perelman was awarded the Millennium Prize, which came with a $1 million cash prize. But yet again, he declined to accept it. In a world so focused on external achievement and recognition, Grigori Perelman was a unicorn: An individual who had completely eliminated the need for external validation. He was fulfilled by the process—by the joy of working on the complex problems—not by the reward at the end of that journey. While none of us should reasonably aspire to this level, there is a powerful lesson in his story: A life devoid of the need for external validation is a life lived on your terms. It is a life of true freedom. Conflating money and freedom is the mistake that people seem to make—they incorrectly assume that more money equals more freedom, and wind up disappointed when it does not. Money is a tool that can be used to gain freedom, but more often, it becomes a tool that keeps us running for more. Once you’ve achieved a certain level of financial success, everything becomes about a quest for freedom. The ability to do what you want, with who you want, when you want is what everyone prizes above all else. Freedom is the real goal. Grigori Perelman realized that. It's time we all did as well. *** If you enjoyed this or learned something, share the post with others and follow me @SahilBloom for more in future.