When I decided to exit the Rat Race, it was simply a question
Rich Dad Poor Dad
of “How can I afford to never work again?” And my mind began to kick out answers and solutions. The hardest part was fighting my real parents’ dogma: “We can’t afford that.” “Stop thinking only about yourself.” “Why don’t you think about others?” and other similar sentiments designed to instill guilt to suppress my “greed.”
Too much greed, however, as anything in excess can be, is not good. But just remember what Michael Douglas said in the movie Wall Street: “Greed is good.” Rich dad said it differently: “Guilt is worse than greed, for guilt robs the body of its soul.” I think Eleanor Roosevelt said it best: “Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
The Story
Our lives are a reflection of our habits more than our education. After seeing the movie Conan the Barbarian, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, a friend said, “I’d love to have a body like Schwarzenegger.” Most of the guys nodded in agreement.
“I even heard he was really puny and skinny at one time,” another friend added.
“Yeah, I heard that too,” another one said. “I heard he has a habit of working out almost every day in the gym.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet he has to.”
“Nah,” said the group cynic. “I’ll bet he was born that way. Besides, let’s stop talking about Arnold and get some beers.”
This is an example of habits controlling behavior. I remember asking my rich dad about the habits of the rich. Instead of answering me outright, he wanted me to learn through example, as usual.
“When does your dad pay his bills?” rich dad asked. “The first of the month,” I said.
“Does he have anything left over?” he asked.
“Very little,” I said.
“That’s the main reason he struggles,” said rich dad. “He has
bad habits. Your dad pays everyone else first. He pays himself last, but only if he has anything left over.”
“Which he usually doesn’t,” I said. “But he has to pay his bills, doesn’t he? You’re saying he shouldn’t pay his bills?”
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