If you have downloaded the book, “The Science of Getting Rich,” and have been following along with me, you know that I’ve covered to page 20 in my two previous posts.  Today, I’m jumping ahead to Chapter 13, page 39, “Getting Into the Right Business,” because in my experience, if you set goals prior to finding your purpose and defining your path, you could be chasing a goal that isn’t in sync with your values.  Does that make sense?  Good.  Besides, if I follow the book exactly, it wouldn’t be much more than just one big paraphrase, now would it?

As someone who writes and customizes training for a living, I find it very important to present information in a way that makes it usable to the observer, reader, and listener.  That’s why I like the step-by-step process method of teaching.  Like following the steps in a cookbook, if you do things in order, you’ll end up with a fantastic result.

So in keeping with that philosophy, let’s review the first two steps to getting rich, which are:
1. Control your thoughts; focus on truth.
2. Be grateful.

Now, the third step to getting rich is to find your purpose.

I’ve written a lot about this on this blog since my passion is to help others find their purpose.  But this post will highlight the writings of Wallace D. Wattles.  Let’s see what he has to say about “Getting Into the Right Business.”

Wattles starts out by saying that we should begin by developing our natural talents and abilities.  However, the most important factor in determining what you should choose as your vocation is a strong desire to want to succeed in it. 

“You will get rich most easily in terms of effort, if you do that for which you are best fitted, but you will get rich most satisfactorily if you do that which you WANT to do.” 

Let me give you a 21st century example.

My husband is an excellent pianist.  He took lessons beginning at age six from his grandmother who was well-known for her gift of music.  He definitely developed his natural talent.  My college piano professor, Jay Flippin, jokingly says that it is “just not fair” for BJ to be able to play that well and not be in the music business. He can give any professional a run for their money.  BJ uses his talent locally, but does not make any money from his music, and has no plans or desire to do so.

Despite this amazing talent, the only occupation my husband can ever remember wanting to pursue is dentistry.  He is an amazing dentist.  He eats, sleeps, and breathes dentistry.  How, I’ll never know or understand, but he does.  Does it come easy for him?  Well, after 25 years, there are many things I’m sure that he could do with his eyes closed, but he does constantly pursue new techniques and learning better methods of doing just about everything there is to do.  Twice however, once in high school and a second time in college, he fainted simply watching a video that showed a bloody procedure being performed.  That would have been enough to make me reconsider my plans for working inside people’s mouths where blood frequently appears, but not BJ.  He was determined, and he got through it.  To this day, he can’t stand to see a bloody procedure being mimicked on a television show like Grey’s Anatomy.  But performing surgical extractions in real life, in his own dental office, is no problem. (!)

I’m not sure that anyone has a natural talent for a field like dentistry.  I mean, it’s not like you can, as a child or teenager “practice” doing fillings or extractions.  I suppose if you found your child on more than one occasion cleaning the family pet’s teeth you could assume that he or she might become a dentist, but I don’t think my husband ever showed that kind of interest! 

Anyway, my point is that even though a natural talent was not visible for my husband becoming a dentist, his strong desire to do so is what made it possible for him and is what has made him so successful in it.  As Wattles says, “The desire to do it is proof that you have within you the power which can do it.”

I have a friend who by his own admission is not as naturally gifted as my husband at playing the piano, but he’d just as soon sit and play music as eat – he’s a professional musician.  He was in my “Gifted and Talented” class and has a very high IQ.  He would have his pick of many high-level careers, but chooses to play and perform music professionally.  He has a strong desire to be in the music business. 

Wattles goes on to point out that you can even have a weakness in a particular area that can be overcome by a strong will to succeed in spite of it.  Like the speaker who stutters except when in front of an audience.  Starting to get the picture?  Good.

So use your talents as a guide, but use your desires to make the final decision as to what business you pursue.

If you find yourself in a field that you truly hate or just know you are not right for, do not feel obligated to stay in that field long term.  You will certainly have to keep your current job if you have bills to pay, until you can get into the field you want, but Wattles reminds us that there is no hurry to do so.  There is plenty of opportunity.  When the opportunity presents itself, act on it.  But if you are in doubt in any way, wait.  This is where it comes in very hand if you have already set about the task of Determining Your Values.

“Do not wait for an opportunity to be all you want it to be.”  It may be a stepping stone to your greater opportunity.  But if you are logically trying to make an opportunity fit into your value system, it probably isn’t the right path for you at this time.  I could give you many examples from my life of where I’ve chosen the wrong way and the right way, but to spare us both some time, I’ll just say this:  Pay attention to how you feel.  If the offer feels right, it is.  If you’re trying to rationalize why you should take it, it isn’t.  It really is that simple.

How to Work

No matter what line of work you are in, or whether you are in business for yourself or work for someone else, it is important that you give more than you expect to receive in wages.

Successful entrepreneurs have known this for a long time – you must give more than you get.  Notice in that previous sentence I wrote, “Successful entrepreneurs.”  By always giving more than face value for each item or service you sell, you ensure repeat business, and repeat business is invaluable to any industry.

I love what Wattles says about how employees should conduct themselves at work. 

“Do all the work you can do, every day, and do each piece of work in a perfectly successful manner.  Put the power of success and the purpose to get rich into everything that you do.”

If someone is paying you to do a job for them, put everything you’ve got, body, mind, and soul, into that job.  Now, hopefully, it’s a job you find fulfilling and noble.  If not, you should seek employment elsewhere.  But in the meantime, you owe it to yourself, to be the best employee you can be for your current employer.  You are to bring in business for your employer, and your actions should be focused on making him or her rich.  What Wattles points out, is that by doing so, you are ultimately making yourself rich.  And if there is no opportunity right where you are to make more money or advance, by conducting yourself in this manner, someone will notice you and offer you a job where you can be fulfilled, advance, and get rich.  Get it?  If you decide to be a “slacker” because you hate your job, your boss, just don’t feel good today, or whatever, it shows – all the time, every time.  Others see it.  Customers are potential future employers.  If you don’t make a good impression, they will not consider you.  Do your best, every day, with every task, and it will pay off. 

Wattles goes on to explain that you shouldn’t do things just to make yourself look good in front of your boss – that will not get you what you want either.  You must be sincere in your actions of increasing the life of the business.  The attitude you presume when dealing with customers and co-workers will do more for getting you what you want, and you must be sincere.  Doing your best in the job you have now will get you the job you want.  You must trust and believe in this.

Be the type of person people feel good to be around.  My husband teases me because I love the Food Network show Giada’s Weekend Getaways.  He doesn’t see what I get out of sitting on the couch watching Giada eat.  The fact is, I love anything by Giada De Laurentiis because she is one of those people – the kind of person you just love to “be around,” or in this case, watch on TV.  I like her because she is always smiling and having a good time.  I value those qualities.  I feel better about myself after watching one of her shows.  I love her approach to life, and to food, and she seems sincere.  I would feel ultimately successful if I could cause others to feel that way when they are around me.

Add something of value to every person you meet.  You communicate this by knowing that you are a person of value.  Make your constant aim that of being and adding value.   

In summary them, there are three components to the third step of getting rich, which is to find your purpose. Those three components are:

1. Develop your talents
2. Become excellent in your chosen field
3. Add value to everything and everyone around you

If you  need more help on how to find your purpose, read How to Decide What to Do with the Rest of Your Life.

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation