Most Americans get up, go to work, turn in an average days work effort, return home, sit on the couch to watch TV, and wonder why they are relegated to a life of financial struggle. They hate their boss and speak publicly about how businesses are greedy and take advantage of workers. They buy lottery tickets and make pilgrimages to casinos in the hopes of someday striking it rich. However, successful people do not participate in games of chance and instead bet on themselves. They put in world-class effort into everything they do and know that greed can be a force harnessed to achieve success. Their extra effort often translates into higher wages, which starts them on their journey toward success.
Since much of the middle class has been indoctrinated into working as little as possible, it is easy for the more goal-oriented successful 5% to surpass 95% of the population. In writing this, I’m reminded of a conversation I had many years ago with one of my most athletically inclined sons. He said he wanted to become a gym teacher. I thought this made sense given his gift for sports. However, when I asked him why I was shocked by his answer. He said that as a gym teacher he would get 2 months off in the summer, 2 weeks off 3 times a year for holidays, work a shortened work day, and get to stand around all day and watch kids do all the work.
Before I go any further, I do want to state that he turned out to be a hard worker that easily outperforms others in his industry. However, his attitude at the time of only doing the minimum is pervasive in the American society today. The most successful 5% in our society have learned to transcend ego-based competition. They ascend to creative thought and direct their mental energy toward solving problems the bottom 95% can’t afford to think about. It is this new level of consciousness that makes them successful and provides them with a sense of well-being, fulfillment, and an overall happier life.
