The Wealth Paradigm

The average person is looking for money, what to get:

“What is in it for me?”
“What are you going to pay me?”

The focus is on taking rather than giving. We get so wrapped up in our small world that we forget to ask ourselves what is in it for the other person. What will make him do what we desire?

We don’t stop to ponder on how all these years of getting have impacted our lives. Has getting made us better or richer? Does it make us fulfilled as persons? How come we keep getting but never have enough?

It is not easy to part with your hard-earned money, especially in times of global financial uncertainty. You must deem something to be so valuable that you are willing to let go of your money to have it. That is common sense. If you put yourself in the other person’s shoes, your mindset would be how to deliver at such a level that he or she will gladly part with his money. This means giving more than his money’s worth, exceeding customer expectations, and giving in a way that makes a huge difference to the other person.

The only way to sustainable wealth money-wise and otherwise is to give, not receive. It means developing a product or service that solves the other person’s needs and exceeds expectations if you are to stand out in the marketplace. Apple took it to the next level by meeting a need yet to be expressed. This holds true for employees also. To be a high flyer, you have to exceed your employer’s expectations and be ahead of the pack when it comes to keeping your promises or performance agreements.

When you focus on giving, you are on the road to wealth. Take time to ponder on the way the world’s wealthiest came about their wealth. Take Steve Jobs that just went home with a global outpouring of emotions. If his products did not meet a need, would you buy them? Why do you shop on Amazon.com, visit Facebook, search on Google, use Microsoft Office, travel by air, stay in a certain hotel, eat at a certain restaurant, buy a certain fashion brand, etc? If the product or service does not meet your need, would you part with your hard-earned money? Does it make sense?

A lot of people believe they can make quick money by copying what other people are doing, just package a half-hearted offering and wait for the money to pour in. It does not work that way. Even if the money does come in, it is not sustainable. To become wealthy, you have to be yourself. Being yourself means discovering your passion, gifts, and purpose, and giving your gifts to the best of your ability. When you put in maximum effort in the area of your strength, you rise to the top naturally like warm air. Rather than labor in the area of your weaknesses, focus on your strength. Become the best in your chosen field. Give with your whole heart. Give as if your life depends on it because it actually does. A life without passion is mere existence.

The place of rich fulfillment is that place where you are like fish in water, in your natural element, doing what you love and loving what you do. When you are in that place, you do not need much motivation to get going. You look forward to each day rather than thanking God it is Friday, a public holiday or vacation time, anything to get you away from your job prison. Going to work gives you an adrenaline rush. Nothing can beat the feeling that your life and work are making a difference in the world, that you have contributed your quota in making the world a better place.

You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want – Zig Ziglar

The way to true wealth is by giving. If you keep giving and giving, somewhere down the line, you will start receiving and receiving. That is the law, a principle. It can never be broken. The creator of the universe made it so. Don’t bother attempting to break this one, it is a waste of time. Any time you catch yourself asking “What is in it for me?”, hold it right there. That is a poverty mindset. That is what got you to where you are right now. When you start giving, you set yourself up for receiving.

To prime a pump, you need to fill it with water first. If you keep priming an empty pump, you get an empty output (air rather than water). The wealth paradigm is to give with all your heart, seek first to give, and receive is a matter of time. Anything else is a waste of time and energy, chasing after the wind.