Comments on: How to Become Successful in Anything Worth a Damn

By: David B

David B — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:19:30 +0000

Most people are just too short-sighted (and sometimes lazy ?) to become wealthy or the best (insert your occupation/hobby here). My wife, who just closed her business a few months ago, had a number of mainly young pepole work for her over the years. Some of them were very intelligentt and talented and had great potential, but nearly all had the fatal flaw that they couldn’t follow through or stick to something long enough. I remember this one kid who is brilliant, but couldn’t come to work for more than a couple of weeks at a time before not showing up for a few months. We’d usually take him back because he was so good, but we knew that in a couple of weeks we’d need to get someone else to take over his work. We actually had several guys like this and could usually rotate them around when one would leave another one would be ready to make some money again. While this (kind of) worked out for us. It just kept these folks in a constant state of jepardy, and they were really just hurting themselves.

By: stockmanmarc

stockmanmarc — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:16:18 +0000

Ning,

Very good article. As one of my very good friends says “Can’t Never Could”

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:49:42 +0000

Ning,

As the old saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention”. When we have everything we have ever wanted, we don’t make much of an effort to re-use things or make them last longer. Only when we are short of funds to buy things do we think about alternate ways to make the use of the things we already have.

By: kenyantykoon

kenyantykoon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:43:44 +0000

you really do motivational posts really well. thats one of the reasons that i like this site. i like the dont give up point most because you are a quitter and a looser when you give up(a little cliched but true)

By: Wilson Pon

Wilson Pon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:24:35 +0000

David, I totally agreed with your opinions, especially the first one. For those who only talks the talk, but didn’t take any action on it, is already destined as the loser…

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:09:00 +0000

I think opening a savings account and transferring money to it from each paycheck is a fantastic way to save money without even realizing it.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:26:48 +0000

Hi David – True, the statement of “broke b/c you want to be” is an extreme, however, it is quite rational in the sense that if you don’t want good grades, you won’t study. Hence, those with poor grades could actually be view as frugal, b/c they don’t have a great desire for a lot of money.

Regarding adults and money. I don’t see many people giving 100%+ in their jobs all the time. And that’s fine. But, it also means that their chances for pay raises and promotions is less as a result. It’s all a balance.

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:56:35 +0000

I agree with your point to a certain degree, but it’s difficult for a high school student to see the long term benefits of studying hard to get good grades when the TV and more time on facebook is so much more enticing.

I don’t think people choose to be broke, but they just choose not to give themselves a better chance at becoming rich.

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:53:41 +0000

You may want to ask your dad to make you a couple of those cars to sell on a service like eBay. Maybe you will find that there’s so much demand you can turn it into a business.

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:52:41 +0000

The great thing about taking action is that you automatically learn new things as you starting executing. The experience you will gain from trying different paths is priceless IMO.