Jeff Gee’s Motivational Blog

Science of Getting Rich

July 3rd, 2009

I’m reading a small book called The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles. Originally published in 1910, when steam railroads were hot, his words still ring true, “There is abundance of opportunity for the person who will go with the tide, instead of trying to swim against it.”

            We’ve all heard the concept; go with the flow; yet how many of us put our boat in the current of life, then paddle like crazy to get upstream instead of letting the boat drift downstream to where all the new experiences abound. Like what happened to my business just a couple of days ago. We were bidding for a large contract alongside a few other competitors, and we lost the bid. At first it was disappointing, and I could have been upset about losing, then I realized we obviously weren’t meant to get the job. If we had, we’d be doing the work right now. So I turned my attention to the flow and asked myself, ‘What right action do I need to take to keep me flowing downstream along with the current?”

            I began by focusing on the good things in my life, of which there are plenty: my grandchildren who are such fun, my daughters who are amazing, my wife whom I love, my nephew who is flying in from the UK to spend a couple of weeks with us here in Chicago. I focused on the fact that I have food in the refrigerator, enough that I can help out at our local food pantry from time to time, I felt grateful that I have a roof over my head, a place to shower, a closet to hang my clothes, a car to drive me places. There are so many things to be grateful for if we just look for them.

The next day, we got lots of opportunities flying in the door: Super Service with the Police Force in the UK, and with HSBC in Panama City; Keynote talks with Dannon and Concordia University in Austin, plus a couple of great quotes: Richard Daly, CEO of Vodafone Global Partner Markets, “Jeff brings a common sense approach to the fore with his Business Imperatives for tough times.” And, “Jeff has brought his positive attitude in his dealings with two major firms where I have been fortunate to be CEO. People still talk about Jeff and his “winning ways” and we still use his “Super Service” attitude and methodology. We pride ourselves on client approval and this month have a 96% customer approval rating where our customers would recommend us to a friend as a company to do business with. The lessons Jeff taught us are remembered as both enjoyable and financially sound. We are about to embark on a new campaign with MJ Learning as we integrate another acquisition into the fold.” Roy J Sunley, CEO, PPI Group

It doesn’t get much better, plus I also coached some sales people right here in Chicago and felt rewarded by their enthusiasm and passion. I believe that if I had kept my mind on one lost piece of business, I would have remained upset and none of the above would have happened.

In the Science of Getting Rich which you can download free from the internet, Mr. Wattles says, “There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe. A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought. Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon the formless substance can cause the thing that he thinks about to be created.”

I know, its heavy stuff, but what he’s really saying is that you create your life by your thoughts. If you are thinking about, and focusing upon the things that are going wrong in your life, or the people who upset you, or the situation you dislike, then you are bringing more of that into your life. You become the person who keeps telling the same sob story over and over until people start hiding when they see you coming.

I’m not saying that you don’t know these things exist, yes, you still know that you don’t like this particular person and that you have bills to pay, taxes to sort out and maybe health issues to overcome, but instead of focusing on the things you don’t like, put your attention elsewhere on the things that you do like; on the things that you want to grow in your life.

I once employed a telemarketer who was great at her job, but wanted to spend a lot of time talking about herself and her family. My job was to keep her on task, so when I was with her, I kept bringing the conversation back to the business, “That’s great, I’m happy for you, and how is it going with Dave at Motorola?” “Good for you and how many phone calls have you’ve made so far today?”

You do not have to be at the affect of other people or situations. I always say it when I’m teaching Super Service, “If you don’t enjoy your job, find another one.” Or, start to enjoy the one you have, because, chances are, if you don’t like this job, you will get another job, and end up not liking that either. It’s not about the job, it’s about you. Appreciate your job. Look for things you enjoy about work, like the money you earn, the skills you’re learning, or the difference you make in other people’s lives.

Start right now to go with the flow of your life. Remember, everything begins with a thought. Wallace Wattles said, “The riches you receive will be in exact proportion to the definiteness of your vision, the fixity of your purpose, the steadiness of your faith, and the depth of your gratitude.”

Here are some questions that will help you focus on having an amazing life:

1.      Describe your vision in five words or less.

2.      On a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being highest, rate the following:

a.       How fixed is your purpose?

b.      How steady is your faith?

c.       What is the depth of your gratitude?

Don’t worry about your answers; this is your starting point. Change begins with awareness. You can’t drive to a destination without first locating where you are on the map. And that’s what you’ve just done. YOU ARE HERE. Be grateful for being here right now, and build on your gratitude. Look for things to be grateful for, and your purpose will unfold. Rock N Roll Jeff

Entry Filed under: Customer Service Training