If you want to be rich, just help others
If you want to be rich, just help others
If you want to be rich, just help others
Zig Ziglar laid it our pretty simple back in 1984 in his book Secrets of Closing the Sale: "You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Fast-forward 25-plus years, and that quote may be the mantra of the new rich.
The recent and ongoing global financial meltdown has left a lot of people angry, disillusioned, bitter, and in search of answers. Why did our government let us down? Who was running those corporations that grossly overpaid salaries and bonuses? How could I have been allowed to buy a home that the bankers knew I'd never really be able to afford? Who is going to help me out now?
Wait a minute the question really should be, Who can I help out?
I'm not talking about throwing in an extra $20 into the Christmas Kettle this year, folks. I am talking about genuine, thought-out, planned advancement of your fellow man. David Bach, an expert financial author, states that one of the top mistakes that couples make in financial planning is "to not have a purpose greater than the two of you". So does that mean just pick a charity and send in a monthly cheque, and ye shall be rich? No. What it does mean is that you need to have a meaningful goal in life, and on that never-ending journey to reaching that goal, you will be rewarded immensely, both monetarily and spiritually.
Let's take Joe, for example. Joe's been stuck in a dead-end job for 10 years, and he finally has a "financial awakening". He's also been really bothered by the amount of people he's seen lately sleeping on the street in his hometown; that just shouldn't happen. So Joe commits to finding a new job in six months, and to helping at the homeless shelter one day a week. Helping at the shelter is both sad and empowering, Joe quickly learns. There are so many people in need, but there is also something comforting about knowing you are helping someone in a direct way. Spiritually Joe is rich, but how is this helping him financially?
Well, as Joe committed to finding a new job, he has been telling everyone he knows that he is in the market for employment. That includes the people working at the shelter. Sue, who also comes once a week to volunteer (thanks to a program offered by her employer that allows employees to take 4 hours of paid leave for service activities) mentions that she has a neighbour who is hiring in Joe's field. Joe gets an interview, and during the interview gets asked about community involvement. Joe never really thought about putting his volunteer time on his resume, but he will for next time. Joe doesn't land the job, but he's feeling more confident after going through the interview process.
Next week while at the shelter he joins a conversation about rental properties. "I've heard nothing but bad things about rental properties" Joe states. He is assured by the other parties to the conversations that there definitely can be some horror stories out there, but there are more successes than you know. Dan, an investor himself, asks if Joe has ever looked into real estate investing before. "No" replies Joe "I wouldn't have a clue where to start!" So Dan asks him if he would like to accompany him tomorrow when he goes to check out two possible rental properties. Joe excitedly agrees, as he realizes that he's getting an introduction to real estate from someone who's succeeded, not just rumours from those who have failed.
During the inspections at the homes, Joe learns a lot from Dan about buying real estate for profit. He hears the good and the bad, including the fact that on Saturday, Dan has to go remove a load of junk that was left behind in one of his rental suites. "I have a truck" says Joe, "I'll come help you - it's my way of saying thanks for teaching me about rental properties!"
After listening to Dan over the next few weeks talk about real estate, Joe decides to start talking to some real estate agents, so he can find one who seems to be a good fit for a first-time investor. After talking to a few people at his work, he sets up a meeting with a realtor named Jan. Jan and Joe meet for coffee, and Jan starts to ask what Joe's goals are. Once she hears that Joe is currently seeking other employment, she calls a friend who is looking for new people in their office, and manages to get a contact name for Joe.
Joe follows up with the job prospect, and lands an interview. This time he includes his volunteer time on his resume! Joe finds out the job would be a perfect fit for him, with lots of room for advancement. Luckily he is offered the job, and accepts. He is so excited the next week when he goes to the shelter to volunteer, and tells Sue and Dan all about his new job.
Joe is also all ears when Dan begins to talk about a project he is working on for low-income housing. The business plan behind it is a solid one, but Dan is lacking the investors to help him get it up and running. Because of the amount of work involved, and less return on investment than some people are looking for, Dan is finding it hard to attract partners. Joe immediately is reminded of a client that Jan the realtor talked about during their coffee session. This client was actively looking for a multi-family project that would be helping to address the low-income housing shortage in their city. Joe gives Dan the phone number for realtor Jan, and they begin talking business.
Weeks go by, and Joe is loving his new job. One day at the shelter, Dan approaches Joe. "You know, Joe" he says "we could really use another partner in this deal; someone who is willing to put in some sweat-equity and really help out with the renovations and upgrades. Would you be willing?" Joe thinks it over for a few days, and reaches an agreement with the other partners. He's now in the business of real estate!
Joe is very excited, and buys a bottle of champagne to celebrate with his wife. "I can't believe all of this has happened in only a few short months!" exclaims Joe. "How is that possible?" His wife sits back and smiles. "Well, it all started off when you decided to help someone out: first, you took action to help yourself by committing to finding a better job. Then you acted on a need that you saw around you every day the need for shelter for the homeless people in our city. Next you surrounded yourself with people who shared your same values. And without thinking of yourself, you began to help other people to achieve their goals, and in turn, they helped you achieve yours."
"Well, I sure never thought about it that way before. But I can tell you this- it is a nice benefit to come from helping others!"
Now I know the Joe story is a bit simplistic, but really that is how it all starts. A simple act of kindness turns into a different view of what's important in your life, and the lives of others. It's a mental change that begins when you really begin to see a purpose bigger than yourself. And when other people see that change, they will be inspired by you. And when they succeed, you succeed.
Think about all the truly successful and financially endowed people you know. Did they do it on their own? Did they have help? Did they help others? Do they still continue to be actively involved in charitable causes? I bet they do. And the new rich will continue to be rich, both monetarily and spiritually; as long as they continue to help others reach their goals and reach their potential.
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