Tuesday, February 10, 2004
NOW I HAVE TO QUOTE A DEMOCRAT AGAIN...
I received an interesting email the other day...having to do with "job creation" in this country. We have a rather stimulating debate going on right now, what with the Presidential election and all, about what government can do (or should be doing) to create jobs. One candidate says not enough are being created...they blame the current occupant. Another claims to have a plan to create the best kind of jobs. Still another says he's creating jobs, just not enough right now. Here's an part of the mail:
"...I am a local listener and agree w/many of your viewpoints. As a manufacturing industry headhunter/recruiter, I'm always trying to understand the "jobs creation" arguments...the recent closure...of the GT Steel plant, hundreds of existing hi-paying jobs lost because...? My question is what happened, the Governor, SCE&G, GT management all seemed to be trying....have you any ideas or follow-up on this?"
I am about to give those of you who want it, some very valuable information. I am by no means an expert, and I don't claim to know everything...but I've taken my share of hard knocks to know how things can be better in this country. Don't get me wrong, even I don't follow the advice I'm about to give you ALL the time. I backslide like anyone else, but the basics are VERY IMPORTANT. Do me a favor...before you start getting all offended that some middle-age radio whipper-snapper is attempting to tell you how to live your life...read everything through at least twice. Open your mind to the possibility that I'm right...or at least acknowledge that it can work if applied on a consistent basis. Not everything is perfect in this country, but with the advice below, you can weather any storm...prepare yourself for a life changing experience.
1. Don't wait on anyone else to help you. Whether it's government, family, social services, charity, or friends...if you wait and wallow in your own misery wondering where the help will come from, you'll be waiting a long time. What ever happened to the idea, "Ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country?" In my view, this phrase has been used mostly for ill in this country. Some have used only the second half to promote responsibility on the part of taxpayers to fund some new government idea...others have mis-interpreted the first half to mean you should only complain about what government DOES to you.
2. The best thing you can do FOR yourself is to DO IT yourself. From the above, read the words of JFK again. This time, realize that the best thing you can do for your country is to join in the opportunity that this country provides you. You see, in America, you don't have to wait around for someone to create a job...you can create your own. It's tough sometimes, but with a burning desire and will power, you can do it.
3. Plan for success. If there's one book other than the Bible I can recommend, it's this one...THINK AND GROW RICH by Napoleon Hill. I'm not going to tell you the secret of what is in this book (and it's a BIG SECRET), but it's been around for more than 60-years and it works. I've read it at least 4-times and it will change your life...IF you apply the secret in the book to your life and situation. This is better than any Skull and Bones society or All Boys Club or anything you've experienced or despised of others. So many people wonder why it is some people are successful and end up being envious instead of being curious. They chaulk it up to favors, conspiracy, secret deals, whatever...they focus all of their time on worrying about how someone else got what you want. Always willing to fall prey to the "victimizers" in this country who want to exploit your envy and misery for THEIR own personal gain. READ THIS BOOK and you'll know the "Big Secret" that has prevented you from being successful.
4. Prepare for success. Pay yourself first. I know that sounds selfish, but it's not. Start with an investment account, 401K, IRA, whatever...have it automatically deducted from your pay so you never see the money and I guarantee that if you start early enough (even later if you're lazy)...you will not have to depend on anyone else in your later years. Put aside 10-percent every month FIRST...before you pay bills, before you spend it, make it automatic. It's easy if you don't see the money first...unless you make it automatic, you'll fail. I know personally of one person who started investing 25-dollars a month in a money market fund and stocks...they retired at age 40 with 3-million dollars in net worth. That was AFTER the dot-com bubble burst.
5. Education is not printed on a diploma. What you earn for staying in school or going to extra school is nice...but too many people think it means they're done with education and our society owes them a price for all that hard work. Not true. Education is not about getting a diploma or a degree...it's about preparing yourself for life-long learning. Education is free in this country...not the schools or universities...but in the availability of knowledge. You're free to explore whatever education you desire. No one can "re-train" you but yourself.
6. Use the geography of the United States as your home. If things aren't working as you planned, be prepared to pick up and go. I know it's nice to believe you can live in the same town and work for the same person or company for as long as you like...but honestly, you get stuck in the belief that you're owed something if something goes horribly wrong. Be willing to go somewhere else. In the Georgetown email from above my message to anyone affected by the Steel Mill shut-down. Get out of town if you have to...DON'T be wasting your time waiting for someone to save you. Cold? Disappointing? Sure...but it's the truth. I could spin you a bunch of stories about how you deserve to have the company open again and get your old job back at your old salary, but I'd be delaying your own success. I think it's the most irresponsible thing to do for a politician to come to a town like Georgetown and tell those poor folks that "help is on the way" if you just elect them...unfortunately, many people are now wasting their time believing it and waiting for that help. In the meantime, another mouse is going for their cheese.
That's NOT everything, but it should get you started. This is the greatest country on earth because you have the opportunity like no other...you can do whatever you want. If only our government leaders believed it...
Email Greg Alan
I received an interesting email the other day...having to do with "job creation" in this country. We have a rather stimulating debate going on right now, what with the Presidential election and all, about what government can do (or should be doing) to create jobs. One candidate says not enough are being created...they blame the current occupant. Another claims to have a plan to create the best kind of jobs. Still another says he's creating jobs, just not enough right now. Here's an part of the mail:
"...I am a local listener and agree w/many of your viewpoints. As a manufacturing industry headhunter/recruiter, I'm always trying to understand the "jobs creation" arguments...the recent closure...of the GT Steel plant, hundreds of existing hi-paying jobs lost because...? My question is what happened, the Governor, SCE&G, GT management all seemed to be trying....have you any ideas or follow-up on this?"
I am about to give those of you who want it, some very valuable information. I am by no means an expert, and I don't claim to know everything...but I've taken my share of hard knocks to know how things can be better in this country. Don't get me wrong, even I don't follow the advice I'm about to give you ALL the time. I backslide like anyone else, but the basics are VERY IMPORTANT. Do me a favor...before you start getting all offended that some middle-age radio whipper-snapper is attempting to tell you how to live your life...read everything through at least twice. Open your mind to the possibility that I'm right...or at least acknowledge that it can work if applied on a consistent basis. Not everything is perfect in this country, but with the advice below, you can weather any storm...prepare yourself for a life changing experience.
1. Don't wait on anyone else to help you. Whether it's government, family, social services, charity, or friends...if you wait and wallow in your own misery wondering where the help will come from, you'll be waiting a long time. What ever happened to the idea, "Ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country?" In my view, this phrase has been used mostly for ill in this country. Some have used only the second half to promote responsibility on the part of taxpayers to fund some new government idea...others have mis-interpreted the first half to mean you should only complain about what government DOES to you.
2. The best thing you can do FOR yourself is to DO IT yourself. From the above, read the words of JFK again. This time, realize that the best thing you can do for your country is to join in the opportunity that this country provides you. You see, in America, you don't have to wait around for someone to create a job...you can create your own. It's tough sometimes, but with a burning desire and will power, you can do it.
3. Plan for success. If there's one book other than the Bible I can recommend, it's this one...THINK AND GROW RICH by Napoleon Hill. I'm not going to tell you the secret of what is in this book (and it's a BIG SECRET), but it's been around for more than 60-years and it works. I've read it at least 4-times and it will change your life...IF you apply the secret in the book to your life and situation. This is better than any Skull and Bones society or All Boys Club or anything you've experienced or despised of others. So many people wonder why it is some people are successful and end up being envious instead of being curious. They chaulk it up to favors, conspiracy, secret deals, whatever...they focus all of their time on worrying about how someone else got what you want. Always willing to fall prey to the "victimizers" in this country who want to exploit your envy and misery for THEIR own personal gain. READ THIS BOOK and you'll know the "Big Secret" that has prevented you from being successful.
4. Prepare for success. Pay yourself first. I know that sounds selfish, but it's not. Start with an investment account, 401K, IRA, whatever...have it automatically deducted from your pay so you never see the money and I guarantee that if you start early enough (even later if you're lazy)...you will not have to depend on anyone else in your later years. Put aside 10-percent every month FIRST...before you pay bills, before you spend it, make it automatic. It's easy if you don't see the money first...unless you make it automatic, you'll fail. I know personally of one person who started investing 25-dollars a month in a money market fund and stocks...they retired at age 40 with 3-million dollars in net worth. That was AFTER the dot-com bubble burst.
5. Education is not printed on a diploma. What you earn for staying in school or going to extra school is nice...but too many people think it means they're done with education and our society owes them a price for all that hard work. Not true. Education is not about getting a diploma or a degree...it's about preparing yourself for life-long learning. Education is free in this country...not the schools or universities...but in the availability of knowledge. You're free to explore whatever education you desire. No one can "re-train" you but yourself.
6. Use the geography of the United States as your home. If things aren't working as you planned, be prepared to pick up and go. I know it's nice to believe you can live in the same town and work for the same person or company for as long as you like...but honestly, you get stuck in the belief that you're owed something if something goes horribly wrong. Be willing to go somewhere else. In the Georgetown email from above my message to anyone affected by the Steel Mill shut-down. Get out of town if you have to...DON'T be wasting your time waiting for someone to save you. Cold? Disappointing? Sure...but it's the truth. I could spin you a bunch of stories about how you deserve to have the company open again and get your old job back at your old salary, but I'd be delaying your own success. I think it's the most irresponsible thing to do for a politician to come to a town like Georgetown and tell those poor folks that "help is on the way" if you just elect them...unfortunately, many people are now wasting their time believing it and waiting for that help. In the meantime, another mouse is going for their cheese.
That's NOT everything, but it should get you started. This is the greatest country on earth because you have the opportunity like no other...you can do whatever you want. If only our government leaders believed it...
Email Greg Alan
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