Our world has come a long way in the past 100 years.
We’ve gone from our first airplane flight and cars being only for the wealthy to traveling the globe and close to 90% of people in modern nations having access to a car.
Despite these changes and more, one thing never changes – us.
In every generation there are rich people and there are poor people.
There are those who tell the truth and others who lie.
We have smart people and not so smart people.
And no matter what, there are always those who are gullible.
However, most of us think we’re smart enough to be able to see through lies and tricks and not fall prey to all those scams out there.
I wish I could say that I wasn’t one of them.
But I can’t.
I’ve fallen for infomercials promising easy cleaning steamers – what a worthless piece of garbage that was.
I’ve fallen for a pyramid scheme and lost a sizable chunk of change.
I’ve fallen for “friends” who went back on their word.
There’s an expression we have for just such situations which I remember learning as a child – “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
I’m sure many of you have heard it before but I doubt any of you know the story behind it.
It wasn’t until recently that I myself learned who actually said it.
Many people attribute the saying to PT Barnum, the American showman, businessman, scam artist and entertainer but as I discovered it wasn’t actually he who said it.
The story behind it is well worth reading and normally I would just add it below but as it’s slightly long click here if you’re interested in getting the full story.
In a nutshell, no one is immune.
If you find yourself on the wrong end, like I did, then learn from it. Each mistake we make gives us the chance to learn, to grow.
Personally I’m grateful I learned when I was young and didn’t have much to lose.
But I hope that people can learn from my mistakes and not make the same.
That’s why I write.
To share ideas that can help you succeed faster.
Adrian Shepherd