Success Secrets of The Rich - Are Rich People Lucky?

I've just sent an email to my mailing list based on Stuart Goldsmith's 'Seven Secrets of The Millionaires.' I don't know how they felt after reading the message it contained but it impressed me so much that I felt I must immediately write an article about it.

Stuart Goldsmith is a British multi-millionaire who moved from being in debt to becoming one of the rich people through his direct mail business. He also wrote a brilliant news letter. Some of his ideas may not be new but they are expressed in a powerful way and deserve to be read again and again. The key idea in this article is one of them

In Chapter One of his classic book, Stuart demolishes the idea that millionaires are lucky; instead they have become rich by making thousands of small decisions in which they chose to get the job done rather than not to get it done. They chose action rather than inaction:

"Most people believe that wealth is a lottery, that cards were shuffled and then randomly dealt and some received an Ace, whilst others received a Two or a Three and some get the Joker. They further believe that this is just luck - like the lottery, and so those lucky people with Aces should be willing to hand over a portion of their wealth to those unlucky people with lower cards.

Closer examination reveals a different truth, and one which is unpalatable to the general public. It is not a truth they wish to hear. The truth is that with a few exceptions, the wealth creators were not dealt Aces randomly by fate. They worked at their success by making correct choices on a minute by minute, day by day basis. Let me explain.

Everything you are and have today is the exact summation of countless thousands of little choices and decisions you made from the day you were first consciously able to make such choices. And stating it simply, those choices were mainly between action and inaction. Or putting it another way, between action and laziness. I'm not talking big, life-changing decisions here. I'm talking about tens of thousands of day by day, minute by minute choices like "shall I get up or lie in bed for another half hour?" "Should I read another chapter of that textbook or go for a beer instead?" "Should I try a little harder to get this job right, or just turn it out in a sloppy fashion?"

Thousands upon thousands of little things going right back to school days when you decided between completing a homework assignment or watching TV instead.

As Jim Rohn says, "Everything matters." It is the small choices which matter. The little day by day disciplines which build into an inexorable force propelling you towards success and wealth. After a lifetime of always choosing the easy option, the lazy way out, the least amount of work, the mediocre will have the temerity to call you 'lucky.' They will then demand 'their' share of your wealth - the wealth you built by numerous small daily disciplines, each one requiring you to forgo immediate gratification of your desires.

If anyone ever accuses you of being 'lucky' just reply: "You're right. And you know what? The harder I worked, the luckier I got." Whilst your friends are watching soap operas or down the pub, you will be working late nights, forgoing instant pleasure, striving to create new values, new products, new ideas which will move mankind forward."

I was going to add several comments to Stuart's words but I think he has said it so well that I will only add one or two comments. Nor am I infringing his copyright since I was an attendee in 2002 at one of his 'retirement' seminars when he generously handed over licences to his info products to the attendees.

In the passage above, he has provided a very effective guide or measuring tool to help us choose the best decisions minute by minute. Choosing action over inaction may seem stunningly obvious but the results of not choosing action only show up gradually and so it helps to have some one like Stuart point out the power of the thousands of chances we get to choose to get the job done rather than not get it done. We all need to do our 'homework' on a regular basis.

Not getting it done may seem to have no effect on our lives at the time but later on we'll suffer the consequences. I have chosen to read emails rather than mow the lawn for weeks. The back garden has suffered and will take a long time to mow.

This is no big deal but other choices could mean the difference between riches and poverty. A choice to take action and check out your investments more carefully could save you losing thousands if you have invested in another Enron. On the other hand daily choices to save money could keep you out of debt.

On reflection, we can be grateful that we are able to make these daily, minute by minute choices. Our lives, in all their glorious or inglorious details, are in our own hands. We can act or not act. Luck has nothing to do with it! The next time you are hesitating about making that phone call or leaving it till tomorrow, just pick up the phone and make the call. Choose action over inaction. Choose action over laziness.

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and fifth degree black belt martial arts instructor. He has recently written several books about achieving your goals and dreams.

They can be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a motivational message and books by other authors

Ezine editors / Site owners

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site but please include the resource box above.

---

Mind is the Forerunner of All States

Our lives and the circumstances we live in are largely... Read More

The Disciplines of Success

Success, in the dictionary, is defined as, "The achievement of... Read More

What Do You Know?

"When I think back on all the crap I learned... Read More

Your Money or Your Life!

Quote of the month: Am I working to live or... Read More

We Become What We Think About

"A man's life is what his thoughts make of it."-... Read More

Are You Afraid of Success?

You may not realise it yet but you may have... Read More

Strategy - Personal and Business

Many different daily tasks require a strategic process to be... Read More

Inoculate Yourself Against Negativity

Unfortunately we come into contact with negativity everyday. We can't... Read More

Your Own Worth Should be Worth Success

Read these four simple steps that reveal how... Read More

Success Through Expertise - Bring In The Experts Or Become An Expert Yourself

This morning, on TV, I was amazed to see how... Read More

Listen Up

There is a close link between respect for another person's... Read More

Posture Yourself for a Promotion

Sit up straight! You may recall hearing those words as... Read More

The Only Option is to Succeed

With the end of the year fast approaching, now is... Read More

The Bulging Right Pocket

It was one of the worst periods of time in... Read More

Enroll in Car College - Learn Whilst Youre On The Move

One of the most overlooked opportunities for learning and personal... Read More

The Impossible Dream

The 72,500 men, women and children sat in an uncomfortable... Read More

Discovery In A Million Dollar Mistake

I have noticed that though my clients often have created... Read More

Bring on the Boosters!

Nobody becomes a success alone, period. There is no such... Read More

How to Succeed for the Rest of Your Life

I spoke recently with the owner of a large clothing... Read More

The Definition of WIN!

When you look into the eyes of a winner, what... Read More

Succeed By Looking Forward

We all want something to look forward to. The best... Read More

What Are the Nine Bodyparts of a Better Life?

Your Head, think about what you want and move towards... Read More

How To Reverse Engineer Your Success

The best and fastest way to learn how to make... Read More

The Curse of Success Geniuses

Don't talk to me about how to succeed! I've read... Read More

Whos Up For A Challenge?

Depending on the person, challenges can either make or break... Read More

10 Compelling Reasons to Stop Singing the Blues

Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More

Easy Steps to Work-Life Balance

Knowing when to disconnect, shut it off, unplug, or walk... Read More

Clues for Success: Finding Answers Right in Front of Your Face

An old fable tells about a religious man and a... Read More

The Psychology Of Success; Part 1

Business knowledge and skills are not the only keys to... Read More

Success Lessons From Josey Wales

The Outlaw Josey Wales is an interesting Western that I... Read More

Skills or Beliefs: Which Matters Most to Your Business?

Skills or beliefs; this may well be another example of... Read More

What is Success?

A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More

Live Your Life To The Fullest

Do you sometimes feel that you're living a boring life?... Read More