The other day I went shopping at the local consumer electronics warehouse where they have everything from talking toasters to serenading telephones. I was looking for a new printer since mine had just died from a respiratory belt problem.
As I shopped around I was simply amazed at how large the warehouse was and the selections available. Just the television section covered an area the size of two tennis courts with screen selection sizes running from 6 inches to large plasma screens over 1,000 inches (Ok, I exaggerate).
After purchasing my printer, I had to pick up my item at the 'back' of the warehouse where all major electronic purchases are finalized. As I stood there waiting, I saw people zipping around in forklifts, pulling up to mammoth racks that towered some forty to fifty feet high and bringing down pallets of electronics while others rushed around with the proper paperwork to fill the pending orders. The coordination was amazing; it was like watching a 'production ballet'.
As the warehouse folks filled the order, they would call out the name of the buyer. The buyers would then signal by raising their hand and then point to their car to indicate where they wanted the merchandise dropped. As I waited I noticed a lot of people were buying huge electronic appliances, with the majority being big, giant plasma screen television or large audio-speaker systems for achieving that 'surround' sound while watching television.
As the warehouse people brought the units over to the car, I also noticed that in many cases the new television or audio system seemed to be worth more then the car that would carry it. I know we shouldn't judge someone's financial success by what they drive or what they wear, but it may give you some indication. For example, one gentleman was driving a car that seemed to be 20 years old and was sputtering fumes as it drove away trying to accelerate while under the load of a new 60 inch plasma television roped into its trunk. Something was wrong with that picture.
The average American today is carrying a credit card debt of anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 (does not include car or house payments). Some studies have show that individual savings rates are less than 1% of our annual salary. Another study showed that 50% of Americans wouldn't be able to survive for more than 3 months without some type of public assistance if they were laid-off or fired. That number rises to 70% if they were unemployed for six months or more.
As I stood there and watch the warehouse folk load up the cars and trucks with expensive merchandise, I couldn't help but reflect on consumer debt and our obsession with possession (my new rhyme). Americans have a passion for consuming. We like to buy things. Heck, we like to buy a lot of things to fill our homes with all the comforts this great system of capitalism has to offer. But there has to be a point of reasonability, a point were we have to put on the consumption breaks and realize that having more is not more.
Does having more, mean having less?
Every week it seems that my neighbor buys a new toy. I don't mean just televisions, stereos and the like. I mean a motorcycle, boat, a scooter, etc. He also runs his own company and is very successful at it. In his case, he does have the money or resources to pay for his passions.
The other day we happened to get into a conversation about having time to enjoy life. He eventually confessed during our conversation that although he had all these toys, he didn't have time to enjoy them. In fact, he had been working so hard that his wife was complaining that he wasn't spending enough time at home. And, since his wife was unhappy, it made trying to enjoy the toys more difficult especially when it took away more time from the family. My neighbor was coming to the conclusion that having more, means having less.
Here we have two extremes. There are those who don't have the resources (money) and spend it as if they did. And then there are those who do have the financial means but sacrifice too much in order to get it; both with a passion for consumption.
For those without the financial resources, their debts will continue to mount and their ability to dig themselves out of it will become more difficult each day. They won't be able to focus on 'possibilities' or dreams of being successful because they're too focused on trying to pay next month's credit card bill.
In the latter case of my neighbor, he demonstrates that having money does not guarantee happiness.
Both will eventually learn that success is about moderation, not excessive consumption.
Less is more. Sound familiar?
Don't be consumed by the passion to consume or that same passion will consume your financial success and your personal happiness.
Victor Gonzalez, top Hispanic motivational speaker and author of "The LOGIC of Success". For more info go to: www.thelogicofsuccess.com or by email www.thelogicofsuccess.com
apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..For each of us, how successful we feel will depend... Read More
Is it possible to get rich quick using the power... Read More
Few books have impacted my perspective on human psychologically and... Read More
Most of my clients had a vision of the contribution... Read More
There is one big "secret" to success that can help... Read More
Daddy was a very, very odd little man-possibly a schizophrenic-for... Read More
I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More
"I am the greatest warrior. I have fought with gods... Read More
Everything you are or ever will be is completely up... Read More
Normally a long memory is an advantage but not if... Read More
In this week's New Age Notebook, I am going to... Read More
Unfortunately we come into contact with negativity everyday. We can't... Read More
I did it my way -Frank SinatraWhat is a successful... Read More
Did you know you can literally program your mind so... Read More
I love the idea of synchronicity.Perhaps it's just part of... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Coaching is about living great lives. It's about living lives... Read More
What does a sharp saw have to do with lifelong... Read More
The Enlightened Warrior's 'Keys to Success' Through the Power of... Read More
The greatest deterrent to success in life is fear. It... Read More
"The reason man may become the master of his own... Read More
Have you ever thought about how you want to live,... Read More
In terms of life success, there are four pretty obvious... Read More
Courage is something that is reflected and reciprocated, and is... Read More
Your personal image: It's the most important YOU asset you... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..Are you looking for the secret or magical formula for... Read More
FOCUSAs you're building your business, you can choose to win... Read More
How's the weather there?We use small talk to connect with... Read More
You are never a failure until you accept defeat as... Read More
Imagine that right now, right here, today? there is within... Read More
Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin FranklinThough Ben... Read More
When I decided to have my web site built, I... Read More
The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The... Read More
Of course by now we are all becoming aware of... Read More
Magic doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some very... Read More
The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of... Read More
In this week's New Age Notebook, I am going to... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
Hello everybody and a good day (or night !) to... Read More
It has been truly said, and history confirms, that the... Read More
Freedom is the deeper meaning, the foundation behind all of... Read More
Ask yourself the following:1. I have created a life-strategy plan... Read More
In this brief article we will explore four methods that... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
The most important quality you can ever develop is having... Read More
In my private practice for the past 13+ years I... Read More
As a professional speaker, father and business owner I often... Read More
An acquaintance of mine once lamented that she was utterly... Read More
It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More
Trust is a cornerstone of human existence. It is interesting... Read More
Success |