I Often Get Asked, “Are You Doing This For The Money?”
The blunt answer of course is why else would I do it? But first let me use an analogy to explain how I see it and then I’ll answer it in plain old English.
Recently I went and watched client and friend David Glendinning’s kids play footy. While having a chat with Dave on the sidelines we began talking about things like the ugly parent and what’s made of that these days. Dave went on to openly share what I find is strange rules when it comes to kids participating in junior sport today.
Without being 100% accurate, here’s what Dave had to say: “In junior teeball, baseball and football, depending on the age of the participant, there’s NO ladder and NO scores actually published. What’s more, they DON’T single out the best players for their efforts, in fact, they move players away from positions they’re best at in order to give other kids ‘a go’. What’s more, everyone gets the same trophy or award and, wait for it, THEY DON’T PLAY ANY FINALS!”
Frankly, as someone who has played sport as a youngster and with trophies to show for it, having been part of a winning Grand Final in the process, and having experienced the lifetime thrill that to this day I still remember, I’m somewhat miffed by the decision makers. It seems the idea is to make the whole process fun and to get everyone involved and to not make anyone feel inferior. This makes it seem for a more rounded happy chappy.
Thing is, the kids WANT TO WIN. The kids WANT TO KNOW THE SCORE. They WANT TO BE PART OF A WINNING TEAM. They EVEN ENJOY BEING REWARDED. I can’t justify robbing a child of the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be part of a winning team. On the rare occasions I meet with old team mates, we still talk about our Grand Final achievements.
I heard recently that there was a Junior Baseball Game organised on the grounds of the Whitehouse, something to do with George W Bush. Again, no score was kept. Imagine if someone wasn’t counting the ballot boxes for George W Bush. You see, that’s how you get elected. By counting the score… and there is still some debate about the auditing.
Anyway, in business, there is only one valid scorecard of your success, and that’s money. If you are on a crusade and you want to save the world, that’s cool also, but try doing it without money. The reality is the most successful charities in the world (keep score) and know their maths. Those of you who attended the recent Super Conference would have heard the incredible emphasis Jeff Paul placed on knowing your numbers. Knowing what you can afford to do and knowing what you can’t afford to do. Knowing how much you can spend to get a client. All this relates to keeping score and making a profit.
Although it’s not the only score you should keep, YOU have as much right to be rich as anyone else; it’s your birthright. I would go so far as to say you have an obligation to achieve and have unlimited access to all things necessary for you to live life to the fullest – in every sense; physical, spiritual and intellectually.
Neither ought you to suffer guilt about desiring riches. The desire for wealth really reflects a yearning for a better, more abundant life. It would surely be absurd to deny the desire for an abundant life. The person who already has all they want in order to live in abundance, is rich. And in today’s demanding society, such a life would be impossible without money. Try filling your role as a spouse, a parent, an employer, employee or even that of a citizen, if you have nothing to give.
Best regards
Mal
