Contrary to popular belief, employees value many things more than the
amount of money they're being paid. If they're treated right, employees
will not only work for less, they'll be happier and more productive as
they do so.
Based upon hundreds of conversations I've had about bosses and jobs, here's what employees really want:
1. To feel proud.
When asked what they do for a living, employees want to boast rather
than apologize. They want the people they meet to be at least a little
impressed, even if it's only because the employee has taken on a job
that's generally thankless.
2. To be treated fairly.
While almost everyone realizes that life isn't fair, employees don't
want the boss to make life more unfair than it already is. Employees
hate favoritism. They expect the perks and promotions to go to the
people who work hard, not the people who kiss butt.
3. To respect the boss.
Employees want respect from the boss, of course, but just as strong is the need to feel respect for the boss! Employees want to believe in that their boss is a leader who is worthy of their loyalty.
4. To be heard out.
Employees hate it when the boss doesn't have the time or the interest
to listen to what they have to say. Employees don't expect the boss to
always take their advice, but if the boss won't hear them out they
(rightly) assume the boss doesn't care about them.
5. To have a personal life.
For many bosses (especially entrepreneurs) work is a way of life.
Employees, however, usually think of friends and family as their "real"
life. Even when they're committed to their job, they get twitchy when
work keeps them away too much.
6. To be coached not micromanaged.
Employees want the boss's help when 1) they ask for it, or 2) they're
floundering so badly they're afraid to ask for it. What employees don't
want is to have the boss looking over their shoulder all the time.
7. To see the assh*les get fired.
In almost every workplace there are one or two jerks who make life
miserable for everybody. Almost more than anything else, employees want
the boss to fire those jerks. If the boss doesn't, employees know he's a
weakling, a fool, or a jerk himself.
8. To feel less stress.
People hate the sense that they've got too much to do and not enough
time to do it. Bosses must plan carefully, anticipate problems, and set
realistic goals, so that they don't accidentally and unnecessarily add
stress to employees' lives.
9. To have a little security.
No sane employee expects lifetime employment. Even so, it's hard to
concentrate when you feel as if a sword is hanging over your head.
Employees want to know that they're not wasting their time when they're
giving your their best.
10. To beat the competition.
Finally, never underestimate the power of teamwork, especially when
teamwork means grinding the other team into the dust. Employees don't
want to be team players; they want to play on the winning team.
Why isn't money on the list of desires? Well, as it happens, I've seldom heard anybody complain about their salary per se, except in the context of the above desires (i.e. "they don't pay me enough to put up with this.")
Satisfy the ten desires above and your employees will remain loyal
and hardworking, even if you're paying them less (and maybe even far
less) than they might earn elsewhere.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!
Think what a remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing it is
to be you! Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since
the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU!
No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, appearance, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.
No one’s hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one’s finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.
The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don’t sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you – NO ONE!
No one before, no one to come. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!
Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren’t meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.
You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone’s mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.
If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.
Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!
No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.
No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.
Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!
See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you! YOU ARE UNIQUE!
By Okunribido Moses Oladimeji
No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, appearance, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.
No one’s hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one’s finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.
The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don’t sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you – NO ONE!
No one before, no one to come. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!
Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren’t meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.
You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone’s mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.
If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.
Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!
No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.
No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.
Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!
See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you! YOU ARE UNIQUE!
By Okunribido Moses Oladimeji
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The 'Golden 20' for Academic Success!
- Go to class.
- Be on time.
- Sit to the front and center of the classroom.
- Bring a pen, paper, notebook, and books.
- Dress like a student (not like an athlete, rap star, rock musician, or surfer).
- Show respect and enthusiasm to your instructors.
- Listen, listen, listen--you can't learn while talking to your peers during class.
- Pay attention--don't doodle, doze, or daydream.
- Try to contribute once per class period, with a question or contribution to discussion. Participation counts--and helps.
- Have clearly marked notebooks, with separate sections--or separate notebooks--for each class.
- Take notes.
- Use a dictionary. This will increase your vocabulary and teach you correct spelling.
- Have a partner/"buddy" system for studying. Have parents, friends, dormmates, etc. quiz you. Form study groups.
- Read, read, read. Read magazines, the newspaper, sports books, science fiction, anything you can get your hands on.
- Set aside at least three hours a day, six days a week, to study.
- Get some of your homework done during school. Use free periods, extra time between classes, and the time before sports.
- Sacrifice and work during times when you know other people aren't working. Work on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. It will be worth it.
- Volunteer for extra credit.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities. Don't merely attend classes and go to practice. Join the Government Club or Cultural Awareness Organization, write for the student newspaper, give tours, etc. Get involved.
- Work hard and be proud that you are working hard and learning. Realize that education is a key ingredient to many great things that you will accomplish in life.
By Steve Turner
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
The important things in life
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.”
“Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
By Impact World Arena
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.”
“Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
By Impact World Arena
Monday, October 21, 2013
Believe in Yourself!
There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be.
That’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people disappoint you and let you down.
But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself.
There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are.
So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be.
Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.
Keep Believing in Yourself!
By Okunribido Moses Oladimeji
That’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people disappoint you and let you down.
But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself.
There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are.
So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be.
Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.
Keep Believing in Yourself!
By Okunribido Moses Oladimeji
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Tips for Effective Studying
In order to excel in college, you must first learn how to study properly.
Contrary to historical opinion, there are many effective ways to learn
information; it is a question of figuring out what works for you. What type
of studying best suits you? What time of day are you most efficient? What
is the proper environment for you to study in? Before you can answer these
questions, you have to do a little research. It takes an effort but the rewards
are more than worth it.
Memory
When we first learn something, information is processed into the brain to form a neural trace. This trace first enters your sensory memory, and then, if you're paying attention, to your Short Term Memory, or STM. If you keep working to process the information and adapt it correctly it then moves to your Long Term Memory, or LTM. The information processed into your LTM is more or less permanent; with occasional reviewing you will not forget it. The trick is to adapt the information you really need into your LTM as quickly as possible. Your STM has a small capacity and a short duration; you may learn something very quickly, but in 24 hours you will lose 80% of that information. The STM is fast and easily accessed, the LTM is slower but larger.
Repetition
The key to learning something well is repetition; the more times you go over the material the better chance you have of storing it permanently. Before you begin this process, however, it makes sense that you determine the type of learner you are. There are three basic types of learning: Visual, Auditory and Haptic. Most of us are, in fact, some combination of the three, but chances are one style will suit us more than the other two. Take some time to look over the types and figure out which category best describes your method of learning. Learning Types Visual Learners:
Visual learners study best when the material is graphic, ie. charts, tables, maps, etc. When in class, visual people should look at the professors when they are speaking, participate in class discussions and take detailed notes during lectures. When studying, study alone in a quiet place and try to transcribe your material on paper. When possible make drawings, graphs or tables of complex abstract ideas and work alone. Visual learners often have trouble working while having a dialogue, even if the dialogue directly pertains to the subject matter.
Auditory Learners:
Auditory people work best when they can hear the material. Read aloud, go over your notes and talk to yourself about the important points. Before reading, set a purpose and verbalize it, after you've finished be sure to summarize out loud what you just read. Speak your ideas into a tape machine as if you were having a conversation with someone, if you can, talk to your friends about the material. Because Auditory learners sometimes have trouble keeping columns aligned, try doing math computations by hand, on graph paper.
Haptic Learners:
Haptic learners are the most maligned division; they are the people that can't sit still. Haptics have to pace around the room, they must have music or a television playing in the background and are almost constantly finding themselves distracted. Despite what parents and teachers have been saying to the contrary, Haptic learning is just as effective as the other two, more traditional, types. Instead of fighting against your nature, adapt to it and find a method that really works. Make studying more physical; work at a standing desk, pace around the room, do reading while on an exercise bike, chew gum. Try to use color when you can; highlight your readings, read with a filtered light, put posters and bright colors around your desk. Haptic people should vary their activities, if you feel frustrated or 'clogged up' do something different for a few minutes. Try and keep a list of distractions as they come to you; once you write them down, they won't bother your concentration as much. If you want to, play music in the background at whatever volume you choose to. When reading, try skimming over the chapter to get a solid basic meaning before you really dig in. Try to visualize complex projects from start to finish before you begin them. Visualization is a useful tool for Haptic people, it helps you keep a positive, productive outlook on the task at hand.
SQ3R
The SQ3R method is the reading and studying system preferred by many educators. Reading research indicates that it is an extremely effective method for both comprehension and memory retention. It's effective because it is a system of active reader involvement.
Step 1. "S"= Survey Before you actually read a chapter, or go over a particular section of notes, take five minutes to survey the material. Briefly check headings and subheadings in order to understand the author's organizational pattern of ideas to be discussed. Scan all visual material. Read introductory and summary paragraphs. This preview will enable you to anticipate what the chapter is about.
Step 2. "Q"= Question Create interest in the material by asking: What are the main points of the chapter? As you read, keep the question in mind and figure out the most important points. It gives you a clearly defined purpose for reading, and helps you maintain interest in the material.
Step 3. "R"= Read Read the chapter actively for meaning. Go through the paragraph before underlining, then underline key words and phrases to help you recall the main points. Be selective, you don't want to highlight non-important points or miss anything that can help your comprehension. Summarize main concepts in your own words in the margins. The more active you are in the reading process, the more you will retain.
Step 4. "R"= Recite After every few pages, close your book and recite aloud the main points to the questions you posed in step 2. Try to recall basic details as to the author's intent by putting them in your own words. Verify your answer by checking the text. If you can't remember the text, read through it again. If you don't get it now, you won't remember it for a test. Take as much time as you need to answer your questions. Don't be frustrated, this takes more time but the information will be clearer in your mind.
Step 5. "R"= Review Finally, review the chapter every so often to fix the material in your mind. Keep rereading your margin notes and underlinings. Verbalize the sequence of main ideas and supporting facts to aid retention. Numerous reviews are a lot more effective than one cramming session the night before an exam. Review once right after you've finished reading and then every couple of days. The SQ3R is time consuming at first, expect it to take ten to fifteen percent longer to read a given chapter when you first begin. Research indicates a 70%% increase in retention after two months of using the system and, eventually, a reduction in time spent preparing for exams.
Note Taking Techniques
The most comprehensive note taking systems require attention on your part. You must be alert enough in class to take legible, meaningful notes. You can't rely on "writing everything down" because a lot of information in a given lecture won't help you actually learn the material. If you have problems determining the specific relevant points in a particular class, you can always ask the professor to clarify them for you. The 2-6 Method The 2-6 refers to the way you divide the space on your notepaper. Make two columns, using the red line on the left of the page as your border. Then, when you take notes in class, use the 6 column for the notes and the smaller 2 column on the left as a highlighting system. Write main headings and important points on the left, including material you think you will be tested on. When you're finished, you should have a comprehensive page of information that you can quickly scan for important points. Finally If you have any questions or need more help, stop by and talk to one of our counselors. Studying is 99%% perspiration; if you give it a real, concentrated effort over the course of a semester you will see an improvement. Your academic success is entirely up to you.
Memory
When we first learn something, information is processed into the brain to form a neural trace. This trace first enters your sensory memory, and then, if you're paying attention, to your Short Term Memory, or STM. If you keep working to process the information and adapt it correctly it then moves to your Long Term Memory, or LTM. The information processed into your LTM is more or less permanent; with occasional reviewing you will not forget it. The trick is to adapt the information you really need into your LTM as quickly as possible. Your STM has a small capacity and a short duration; you may learn something very quickly, but in 24 hours you will lose 80% of that information. The STM is fast and easily accessed, the LTM is slower but larger.
Repetition
The key to learning something well is repetition; the more times you go over the material the better chance you have of storing it permanently. Before you begin this process, however, it makes sense that you determine the type of learner you are. There are three basic types of learning: Visual, Auditory and Haptic. Most of us are, in fact, some combination of the three, but chances are one style will suit us more than the other two. Take some time to look over the types and figure out which category best describes your method of learning. Learning Types Visual Learners:
Visual learners study best when the material is graphic, ie. charts, tables, maps, etc. When in class, visual people should look at the professors when they are speaking, participate in class discussions and take detailed notes during lectures. When studying, study alone in a quiet place and try to transcribe your material on paper. When possible make drawings, graphs or tables of complex abstract ideas and work alone. Visual learners often have trouble working while having a dialogue, even if the dialogue directly pertains to the subject matter.
Auditory Learners:
Auditory people work best when they can hear the material. Read aloud, go over your notes and talk to yourself about the important points. Before reading, set a purpose and verbalize it, after you've finished be sure to summarize out loud what you just read. Speak your ideas into a tape machine as if you were having a conversation with someone, if you can, talk to your friends about the material. Because Auditory learners sometimes have trouble keeping columns aligned, try doing math computations by hand, on graph paper.
Haptic Learners:
Haptic learners are the most maligned division; they are the people that can't sit still. Haptics have to pace around the room, they must have music or a television playing in the background and are almost constantly finding themselves distracted. Despite what parents and teachers have been saying to the contrary, Haptic learning is just as effective as the other two, more traditional, types. Instead of fighting against your nature, adapt to it and find a method that really works. Make studying more physical; work at a standing desk, pace around the room, do reading while on an exercise bike, chew gum. Try to use color when you can; highlight your readings, read with a filtered light, put posters and bright colors around your desk. Haptic people should vary their activities, if you feel frustrated or 'clogged up' do something different for a few minutes. Try and keep a list of distractions as they come to you; once you write them down, they won't bother your concentration as much. If you want to, play music in the background at whatever volume you choose to. When reading, try skimming over the chapter to get a solid basic meaning before you really dig in. Try to visualize complex projects from start to finish before you begin them. Visualization is a useful tool for Haptic people, it helps you keep a positive, productive outlook on the task at hand.
SQ3R
The SQ3R method is the reading and studying system preferred by many educators. Reading research indicates that it is an extremely effective method for both comprehension and memory retention. It's effective because it is a system of active reader involvement.
Step 1. "S"= Survey Before you actually read a chapter, or go over a particular section of notes, take five minutes to survey the material. Briefly check headings and subheadings in order to understand the author's organizational pattern of ideas to be discussed. Scan all visual material. Read introductory and summary paragraphs. This preview will enable you to anticipate what the chapter is about.
Step 2. "Q"= Question Create interest in the material by asking: What are the main points of the chapter? As you read, keep the question in mind and figure out the most important points. It gives you a clearly defined purpose for reading, and helps you maintain interest in the material.
Step 3. "R"= Read Read the chapter actively for meaning. Go through the paragraph before underlining, then underline key words and phrases to help you recall the main points. Be selective, you don't want to highlight non-important points or miss anything that can help your comprehension. Summarize main concepts in your own words in the margins. The more active you are in the reading process, the more you will retain.
Step 4. "R"= Recite After every few pages, close your book and recite aloud the main points to the questions you posed in step 2. Try to recall basic details as to the author's intent by putting them in your own words. Verify your answer by checking the text. If you can't remember the text, read through it again. If you don't get it now, you won't remember it for a test. Take as much time as you need to answer your questions. Don't be frustrated, this takes more time but the information will be clearer in your mind.
Step 5. "R"= Review Finally, review the chapter every so often to fix the material in your mind. Keep rereading your margin notes and underlinings. Verbalize the sequence of main ideas and supporting facts to aid retention. Numerous reviews are a lot more effective than one cramming session the night before an exam. Review once right after you've finished reading and then every couple of days. The SQ3R is time consuming at first, expect it to take ten to fifteen percent longer to read a given chapter when you first begin. Research indicates a 70%% increase in retention after two months of using the system and, eventually, a reduction in time spent preparing for exams.
Note Taking Techniques
The most comprehensive note taking systems require attention on your part. You must be alert enough in class to take legible, meaningful notes. You can't rely on "writing everything down" because a lot of information in a given lecture won't help you actually learn the material. If you have problems determining the specific relevant points in a particular class, you can always ask the professor to clarify them for you. The 2-6 Method The 2-6 refers to the way you divide the space on your notepaper. Make two columns, using the red line on the left of the page as your border. Then, when you take notes in class, use the 6 column for the notes and the smaller 2 column on the left as a highlighting system. Write main headings and important points on the left, including material you think you will be tested on. When you're finished, you should have a comprehensive page of information that you can quickly scan for important points. Finally If you have any questions or need more help, stop by and talk to one of our counselors. Studying is 99%% perspiration; if you give it a real, concentrated effort over the course of a semester you will see an improvement. Your academic success is entirely up to you.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
6 Reasons You're Not a Millionaire
In 2012, Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart was officially declared the richest woman in the world, boasting assets of more than $26 billion. Not long after, Rinehart took heat for an article she wrote for the Australian Resources and Investment Magazine, where she suggested that those who wanted what she had should "spend less time drinking or smoking and socializing and more time working."
"If you're jealous of those with more money, don't just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself..."
Obviously, she didn't run that article through a PR consultant before she submitted it.
But as off-putting as that statement might be, I can't help but reluctantly concede that there's some truth to it. Now, don't get me wrong — I'm not for a moment suggesting that the reason we're not rich is that we don't work hard enough. Quite the contrary, I think most people work very hard and we tend to do whatever it takes to put food on the table and provide for our families. We're resourceful, we're dedicated, and we don't give up.
I also believe that social programs are a good thing and that we have a responsibility to help those that need help. Always. Without Question. Period. (See also: Easy Ways to Support Charity)
But I also think that we've lost some of that vision and moxie that brought us here. I think that if you could measure potential, we'd be off the charts, but we've learned to ignore it, suppress it, and bury it down deep because it's easier, or at least safer, than taking the risk to see what we're really made of.
So all that said, if you still want to know the real reason you're not a millionaire, read on, and just know that I say all of this with nothing but love.
1. You Work for Someone Else
When you work for someone else, you're essentially trading time for money, and there are two problems with this strategy:
You only have so much time to trade
Someone else is in charge of setting how much your time is worth
So, while it's not impossible to reach millionaire status while working for someone else, it doesn't happen often.
Does that mean you should run out and quit your job? No, but it does mean you should start looking at your time as a valuable commodity and rethink how you're spending it. Then, find a way to start moving toward a more profitable way of spending your days, a way that pays you for your talent and ability rather than the number of hours you've worked or the amount your pay-grade says you've earned.
Maybe you start out by moonlighting or maybe you save up until you can take the big leap. Either way, the path is the same. (See also: 9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash)
And if you're not hip to venturing out on your own, then you need to find another way to increase your income. Maybe you become very good at moving up the corporate ladder, or maybe you become remarkably savvy at investing, or better yet, maybe you do both. The point is, if your goal is to be a millionaire in a reasonable amount of time, you're the one that will have to make that happen.
2. You're Not Trying
While most millionaires are looking for ways to increase their wealth, the rest of us are simply looking for ways to pay our bills. This mindset has a direct effect on how much money you make.
When I first launched my freelance career, I had a clear number in mind. I knew that I had to make X amount of dollars to pay my bills and keep my household running smoothly. Interestingly, that's exactly the amount of money I made, month after month, year after year. Whatever amount I needed, that was the amount I made, and for the longest time, I felt pretty proud of my ability to meet my obligations.
But then I realized that I was still just working to pay my bills, trading time for money, even if I wasn't driving downtown to do it. I had changed the method by which I earned my paycheck, but it was still just a paycheck all the same.
And oddly enough, once I made this realization, once I set aside that mental "must-have" number, my income started to increase. I may not have made my first million yet, but I'm finally starting to see the path that will get me there.
If you want a million dollars, then set out to make a million dollars. There's nothing wrong with "doing what you have to do" to get by, but don't let that become your goal.
3. You Don't Believe
Ask anyone — and I mean anyone — if they'd like to be rich, and most won't even hesitate before saying yes. But ask those same people if they're certain they'll become rich, and you'll find that the answers aren't nearly as confident.
That's because the average Joe or Jane doesn't really believe they'll ever be millionaires.
They'd certainly like to believe it, but their doubt resonates much louder than their desire. As long as that's true, the wealth they desire will elude them.
Now, this commitment to becoming rich might sound like something out of a new age book, but the fact remains that it is a common trait among the real-life wealthy. And if becoming a millionaire is really what you want to do, then you have to believe that it will happen, come hell or high water. (See also: 5 Lessons From Millionaires)
This is why Donald Trump can go from having millions in the bank to millions in debt to millions in the bank again. He believes he is supposed to have money. Think what you will about Trump, but the fact remains that he keeps coming back, no matter what financial obstacles life might throw his way.
When faced with bankruptcy and over $900 million in personal debt in 1991, do you suppose Trump ever, even for one second thought, "Well, this is it... I guess I'll just throw in the towel?" And incidentally, he didn't just make this comeback once. Trump has filed for corporate bankruptcy three more times since then, and according to analysts, he's now worth more than he was before the bankruptcy.
How's that for a testimonial to the power of positive thinking?
In the words of Warren Buffet, "I always knew I was going to be rich. I don't think I ever doubted it for a minute."
4. You Don't Trust Your Instincts
Catherine L. Hughes didn't start out as an obvious success story. At 16, she was a teen mom. She attended college, but never finished. Yet, despite her slow start, she used her job at a local radio station to propel her career, and eventually secured a position as the General Manager of Howard University's radio station. Not long after, she and her husband bought their first radio station, and Radio One was born.
Then came the divorce. Hughes was able to buy out her husband's shares in the station but was forced to sleep on the studio floor with her son because they couldn't afford to live anywhere else. Her mother pleaded with her to let the station go and find a more suitable life for her and her son.
But Hughes stuck to her guns and today, Radio One is a multi-million dollar media company. "Sometimes," says Hughes, "the ones who love you the most give you the worst [business] advice. If I had listened to my mother.... there would be no Radio One."
Who have you been listening to? Maybe it's time to get a second opinion. Or maybe it's time to start listening to your gut and seeing just how far you can fly.
5. You're Waiting
In his book, How Rich People Think, author Steve Siebold writes, "...while the masses are waiting to pick the right [lotto] numbers and praying for prosperity, the great ones are solving problems."
Yes, this is one of those harsh realities I mentioned earlier, but that doesn't make it any less true. What's more, we have a tendency to apply this mentality to all aspects of our lives, and that leaves us in a perpetual state of limbo. We're waiting for our boss to give us a raise or a promotion. We're waiting for our partner or spouse to make us happy and fulfilled. We're waiting on the government to fix the problems in our world, solve unemployment, create better programs, and lower our taxes. We're waiting for the right time, for more money, or for a better opportunity.
In fact, if you think about it, we're always waiting for something. All that waiting is keeping us from achieving what we really want and, more importantly, what we could really become. As long as you're waiting, someone else is in control of your future. And if someone else is in control, you'll never get to where you want to go.
6. You Need to Revamp Your Relationship With Money
In a 2012 post for Entrepreneur.com, Grant Cardone writes,
Who says, 'Money won't make you happy'? People without money. Who says, 'All rich people are greedy'? People who aren't rich. Wealthy people don't talk like that. You need to know what people are doing to create wealth and follow their example: What do they read? How do they invest? What drives them? How do they stay motivated and excited?
And he should know.
Cardone is an entrepreneur, international speaker, best-selling author, and sales and training expert for Fortune 500 companies. He makes a living off teaching others how to make a living and all of his success comes down to mindset.
Cardone isn't the only one pointing to our dysfunctional love affair with money. Finance diva Suze Orman has written at length on the importance of a healthy relationship with money and treating it with respect: "Your money is governed by how you treat it: it's that simple. It thrives when you are being responsible, respectful, and doing honorable things with it." And to do that, you have to get past this idea that wanting it — and being committed to getting it — somehow makes you a bad or selfish person. (See also: Make Plans for a Better Relationship With Money)
I'm going to quote Siebold one more time as well: "[The middle class] sees money as a never-ending necessary evil that must be endured as part of life," he writes. "The world class sees money as the great liberator, and with enough of it, they are able to purchase financial peace of mind."
Now, think about how you see your money. Is it a means to an end? Or a strategic tool in your life plan arsenal?
Does it bring you joy, or does it cause you stress and worry? Figure that out, because when you revamp your relationship with money, it's surprising how many doors will start to open up.
What's keeping you from your first million?
By Kate Luther
"If you're jealous of those with more money, don't just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself..."
Obviously, she didn't run that article through a PR consultant before she submitted it.
But as off-putting as that statement might be, I can't help but reluctantly concede that there's some truth to it. Now, don't get me wrong — I'm not for a moment suggesting that the reason we're not rich is that we don't work hard enough. Quite the contrary, I think most people work very hard and we tend to do whatever it takes to put food on the table and provide for our families. We're resourceful, we're dedicated, and we don't give up.
I also believe that social programs are a good thing and that we have a responsibility to help those that need help. Always. Without Question. Period. (See also: Easy Ways to Support Charity)
But I also think that we've lost some of that vision and moxie that brought us here. I think that if you could measure potential, we'd be off the charts, but we've learned to ignore it, suppress it, and bury it down deep because it's easier, or at least safer, than taking the risk to see what we're really made of.
So all that said, if you still want to know the real reason you're not a millionaire, read on, and just know that I say all of this with nothing but love.
1. You Work for Someone Else
When you work for someone else, you're essentially trading time for money, and there are two problems with this strategy:
You only have so much time to trade
Someone else is in charge of setting how much your time is worth
So, while it's not impossible to reach millionaire status while working for someone else, it doesn't happen often.
Does that mean you should run out and quit your job? No, but it does mean you should start looking at your time as a valuable commodity and rethink how you're spending it. Then, find a way to start moving toward a more profitable way of spending your days, a way that pays you for your talent and ability rather than the number of hours you've worked or the amount your pay-grade says you've earned.
Maybe you start out by moonlighting or maybe you save up until you can take the big leap. Either way, the path is the same. (See also: 9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash)
And if you're not hip to venturing out on your own, then you need to find another way to increase your income. Maybe you become very good at moving up the corporate ladder, or maybe you become remarkably savvy at investing, or better yet, maybe you do both. The point is, if your goal is to be a millionaire in a reasonable amount of time, you're the one that will have to make that happen.
2. You're Not Trying
While most millionaires are looking for ways to increase their wealth, the rest of us are simply looking for ways to pay our bills. This mindset has a direct effect on how much money you make.
When I first launched my freelance career, I had a clear number in mind. I knew that I had to make X amount of dollars to pay my bills and keep my household running smoothly. Interestingly, that's exactly the amount of money I made, month after month, year after year. Whatever amount I needed, that was the amount I made, and for the longest time, I felt pretty proud of my ability to meet my obligations.
But then I realized that I was still just working to pay my bills, trading time for money, even if I wasn't driving downtown to do it. I had changed the method by which I earned my paycheck, but it was still just a paycheck all the same.
And oddly enough, once I made this realization, once I set aside that mental "must-have" number, my income started to increase. I may not have made my first million yet, but I'm finally starting to see the path that will get me there.
If you want a million dollars, then set out to make a million dollars. There's nothing wrong with "doing what you have to do" to get by, but don't let that become your goal.
3. You Don't Believe
Ask anyone — and I mean anyone — if they'd like to be rich, and most won't even hesitate before saying yes. But ask those same people if they're certain they'll become rich, and you'll find that the answers aren't nearly as confident.
That's because the average Joe or Jane doesn't really believe they'll ever be millionaires.
They'd certainly like to believe it, but their doubt resonates much louder than their desire. As long as that's true, the wealth they desire will elude them.
Now, this commitment to becoming rich might sound like something out of a new age book, but the fact remains that it is a common trait among the real-life wealthy. And if becoming a millionaire is really what you want to do, then you have to believe that it will happen, come hell or high water. (See also: 5 Lessons From Millionaires)
This is why Donald Trump can go from having millions in the bank to millions in debt to millions in the bank again. He believes he is supposed to have money. Think what you will about Trump, but the fact remains that he keeps coming back, no matter what financial obstacles life might throw his way.
When faced with bankruptcy and over $900 million in personal debt in 1991, do you suppose Trump ever, even for one second thought, "Well, this is it... I guess I'll just throw in the towel?" And incidentally, he didn't just make this comeback once. Trump has filed for corporate bankruptcy three more times since then, and according to analysts, he's now worth more than he was before the bankruptcy.
How's that for a testimonial to the power of positive thinking?
In the words of Warren Buffet, "I always knew I was going to be rich. I don't think I ever doubted it for a minute."
4. You Don't Trust Your Instincts
Catherine L. Hughes didn't start out as an obvious success story. At 16, she was a teen mom. She attended college, but never finished. Yet, despite her slow start, she used her job at a local radio station to propel her career, and eventually secured a position as the General Manager of Howard University's radio station. Not long after, she and her husband bought their first radio station, and Radio One was born.
Then came the divorce. Hughes was able to buy out her husband's shares in the station but was forced to sleep on the studio floor with her son because they couldn't afford to live anywhere else. Her mother pleaded with her to let the station go and find a more suitable life for her and her son.
But Hughes stuck to her guns and today, Radio One is a multi-million dollar media company. "Sometimes," says Hughes, "the ones who love you the most give you the worst [business] advice. If I had listened to my mother.... there would be no Radio One."
Who have you been listening to? Maybe it's time to get a second opinion. Or maybe it's time to start listening to your gut and seeing just how far you can fly.
5. You're Waiting
In his book, How Rich People Think, author Steve Siebold writes, "...while the masses are waiting to pick the right [lotto] numbers and praying for prosperity, the great ones are solving problems."
Yes, this is one of those harsh realities I mentioned earlier, but that doesn't make it any less true. What's more, we have a tendency to apply this mentality to all aspects of our lives, and that leaves us in a perpetual state of limbo. We're waiting for our boss to give us a raise or a promotion. We're waiting for our partner or spouse to make us happy and fulfilled. We're waiting on the government to fix the problems in our world, solve unemployment, create better programs, and lower our taxes. We're waiting for the right time, for more money, or for a better opportunity.
In fact, if you think about it, we're always waiting for something. All that waiting is keeping us from achieving what we really want and, more importantly, what we could really become. As long as you're waiting, someone else is in control of your future. And if someone else is in control, you'll never get to where you want to go.
6. You Need to Revamp Your Relationship With Money
In a 2012 post for Entrepreneur.com, Grant Cardone writes,
Who says, 'Money won't make you happy'? People without money. Who says, 'All rich people are greedy'? People who aren't rich. Wealthy people don't talk like that. You need to know what people are doing to create wealth and follow their example: What do they read? How do they invest? What drives them? How do they stay motivated and excited?
And he should know.
Cardone is an entrepreneur, international speaker, best-selling author, and sales and training expert for Fortune 500 companies. He makes a living off teaching others how to make a living and all of his success comes down to mindset.
Cardone isn't the only one pointing to our dysfunctional love affair with money. Finance diva Suze Orman has written at length on the importance of a healthy relationship with money and treating it with respect: "Your money is governed by how you treat it: it's that simple. It thrives when you are being responsible, respectful, and doing honorable things with it." And to do that, you have to get past this idea that wanting it — and being committed to getting it — somehow makes you a bad or selfish person. (See also: Make Plans for a Better Relationship With Money)
I'm going to quote Siebold one more time as well: "[The middle class] sees money as a never-ending necessary evil that must be endured as part of life," he writes. "The world class sees money as the great liberator, and with enough of it, they are able to purchase financial peace of mind."
Now, think about how you see your money. Is it a means to an end? Or a strategic tool in your life plan arsenal?
Does it bring you joy, or does it cause you stress and worry? Figure that out, because when you revamp your relationship with money, it's surprising how many doors will start to open up.
What's keeping you from your first million?
By Kate Luther
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