Procrastination…
That’s what I’d say, if someone were to ask me the number one reason more people aren’t rich and successful.
It sounds simplistic, but having been a teacher for 20 years and a success coach for 5, that’s the best I’ve got.
People come up with the most wonderful excuses to tell people why they can’t do this, or haven’t done that. I should know, cuz I was one of them.
I used everything I could think of back in high school.
For me, work was a four letter word.
I preferred “teamwork.” And by teamwork, I mean running up to people in the morning and begging them to give me their homework.
One girl I knew in high school wrote in my senior yearbook, “You’re a great guy with a wonderful smile. If only you didn’t cheat so much.”
I suppose in part I have my parents to thank for that.
No, they believed strongly in getting good grades and going to a good university. However, they also taught me to question everything and to stand up for myself when I felt something wasn’t right. And there were many times in school when things just didn’t make sense.
So I made a choice. I focused on things I liked, and did what I had to to pass the classes I didn’t.
In many ways, I a teacher’s worst nightmare. And yet, ask most of my teachers and they’ll tell you I was an A student.
That’s because that’s what they remember me as.
A kind, sincere student.
However, I was also a student who hated reading. I was always busy (with my friends). And did as little studying as possible. Not the thing my parents would want to hear, but it’s the truth.
Why do I bring this up? Especially when this is supposed to be a post about success.
Well, the fact of the matter is that I’ve seen both sides.
I’ve been the bad student, and now I’m the good student. Mainly because now it’s my job to help others achieve more. I wouldn’t be able to do that, if I weren’t dedicated to learning.
Now I have to sit across the table from people who were just like me.
It makes no difference if they are a manager, a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher; the same excuses are the same.
But there are exceptions. The people I know who have it in them to become rich and successful.
They don’t use the same words.
So today I thought I would take a look at the 5 secrets rich people know that anyone can do (and I do mean anyone).
Average people say, “I don’t like reading.”
Secret #1: So what? Reading is what separates the winners from the losers. Which group do you want to be in?
Rich people know that the best kept secrets to great wealth are found in books, not on YouTube or Facebook. True, there are a lot of great resources available on those sites, but very few people actually use them to learn from. When you see a cute cat video has just over 78,000,000 views while a Jim Rohn classic only manages 225,000, it’s clear more people are interested in cute and cuddly, rather than changing their lives.
Remember, to be rich, you have to go against the crowd (because if you’re following the crowd, then you’re average).
Most people don’t read personal development books, invest in success materials, invest the time or make the effort to change their lives. The results speak for themselves.
Average people say, “It’s no big deal.”
Secret #2: It is. Think prevention, not cure. Most people think short-term. I can’t tell you how many times I did stupid things, not worried about the consequences. I always figured things would be ok. Looking back now, I must say I’m amazed I’m still here. I also drowned three times. I cut my head open going through a glass door. I almost got hit by a car twice, a bus twice, and have had countless skateboarding and biking accidents. I was lucky…VERY lucky. The problem is, many people aren’t as lucky as I am. Things do go wrong. Bad things do happen. And many by our own hand.
Rich people know that everything matters. Small sums of money have turned into great fortunes. And great fortunes have been lost in the blink of an eye. We must learn to protect our money, and invest it wisely.
Success and wealth are simple, but they’re not easy.
Average people say, “I’ve got no time.”
Secret # 3: Make time. We”ll never have more time. We simply make a decision to use our time differently. That’s it.
Rich people know that you must make time for the important things in life. And part of that is saying “No” to opportunities that don’t qualify. Family, friends, business, health, and money are all things we need to invest time into.
Average people say, “Education is expensive.”
Secret #4: What’s really expensive is not being educated. Think of how much money we’ll LOSE, by not being educated. That doesn’t mean going to colleges or schools. It does mean that we study. Education can be paid for in one (or a combination) of three ways: time, money, and effort. We must be willing to invest two. Three is even better.
A word to the wise, be sure to invest in the right education. That means finding the right teacher, and purchasing the right materials.
Rich people know that everything has a price, and often “free” advice can end up being the most expensive you’ll ever have.
Average people say, “I can’t have everything.”
Secret # 5: You can, and you must. Sacrificing your health for money is the fastest way to lose everything. You can’t sacrifice the truly important things in your life: your health, your family, your dreams, your friends. By doing so you will either end up in an early grave, alone, depressed, or with many enemies.
Truly rich people understand that money is just one piece of the puzzle.
Growing up, I often wondered how people became rich. Now I know.
They learnt “secrets” that have been around for years and put them into action, and now you can, too.
The choice is yours.
Adrian Shepherd