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By Rob Severson on August 30, 2012
I think both parties liked Rice’s speech at the convention Wednesday night. Even liberals were complimentary.
I think most of us like stories of how people overcome obstacles and achieve success like she did. She obviously had a tough time as a black girl growing up in the south and some would say being a woman too. But she pressed on, got an education and the rest is history.
Some others spoke too, Hispanics, blacks and others who told their stories of how they made it despite having a difficult start in life. I know I was inspired by each story!
Obama also has such a story, maybe even bigger and better. By all accounts he had it tough; divorced parents, raised by grandchildren and also being part black. But he did the same thing, got an education and went on to be President of the United States! No matter what anyone thinks of him, that is an accomplishment!
But their conclusions are different. The conservative people praise America and the opportunity it has if they take advantage of all it has to offer. Obama doesn’t; he is stuck on the pessimistic side of the issue, that social injustice holds folks back. Given his success that surprises me and disappoints me. I wish he would send the message to all the black kids as well as others that they can have success if they follow his example! He could be the most powerful leader of these young people ever if he would do that.
He himself could have been a “victim” too, but he obviously chose not to be one. An optimistic approach would help folks much more than telling millions they are victims!
That would be great hope and change!
Posted in General | Tagged attitude, careers, entitlement, financial prosperity, jobs, make a living, Obamas pessimism, prosperity, social injustice, success |
By Rob Severson on August 8, 2012
I spoke at a college recently on the value of networking and how to build one’s contact data base. One young woman asked an interesting question: “How do you go about building a network when you are new in a town and don’t know anyone?” Very good question.
My first response was asking her if she was in a church and she wasn’t. She seemed dismayed with my suggestion. To me that is the first place I would go to meet people and start my network.
Reasons:
• Many of them have career groups that help people find jobs; these are very practical programs
• One doesn’t have to be a church member or even a believe to participate
• If they don’t have a career group most churches will have people willing to help others via conversations or other small groups
• Many churches offer courses in financial management and other life skills
• They may discover other benefits too!
Posted in General | Tagged church, job dissatisfaction, life priorities, make a living, networking, success, survival |
By Rob Severson on July 29, 2012
BUYNG VOTES
I just heard a news clip on Fox about a politician who was sent to jail for buying votes in Kentucky. Seems this guy paid $50 or so for people to vote for him and he got caught. I would guess must would see the wrong in this action and would agree that he be punished.
But is it the tip of the iceberg? Are all of our votes “for sale”? Or do we vote for the guy who has the best ideas for moving our county forward?
I think more of us are guilty of selling our votes than we want to admit. As a senior I confess that I like the entitlements I receive, social security and Medicare and don’t want them jeoparidized even I understand they are costly to us. Many others are on unemployment, welfare, free insurance, and a host of other entitlements. They don’t want to lose those things either. Will those of us on the receiving end vote for the people that are on the “giving” end, even we know it is someone else’s money being given?
Will the high earners vote for those keeping tax rates low? Will they have reasons other than just not wanting to part with more of their money or truly believe there are other solutions to fixing the economy? Will the folks wanting them to pay more taxes vote for the people seeking to tax the rich more do it out of spite or out of belief that it will do some good? Do they believe taxing the rich will put more money in their pockets some way?
I think this kind of “vote buying” is just as wrong as paying some guy a few dollars for his vote, but no one believes this is illegal. Obviously all the parties do it and it seems to be the way to win elections; pandering to the public.
I just hope that all of us who vote can do so with the best interest of the county in mind and get behind the folks who we truly believe can bring our county back to work and prosperity. But will we?
Posted in General | Tagged entitlement, financial prosperity, government spending, money priorities, personal finance, prosperity, social injustice, success, taxpayers, tea party, VOTE BUYING |
By Rob Severson on July 27, 2012
ENTITLEMENT
I spent the afternoon yesterday with my two granddaughters. We went to a couple of museums and visited one of my favorite men’s clothing stores, they were tolerant of the latter event! We ended the day with Dairy Queen, a fun day for grandpa!
Of course I bought the tickets, lunch and treats afterwards as they are dependent upon others and I enjoy treating them anyway. But as I was buying the tickets I watched them and realized the dependency they have and the acceptance of it. They have no choice. But they also have no options and are held hostage to what their parents and I can afford or want to do for them. They also appreciated it even though they didn’t know how much the day cost. I was happy to do it.
Last weekend my whole family was in Door County visiting my sister and brother in law. It was a lot of fun to have all ten of us together and for them to bond with their aunt and uncle who hosted us.
We went to restaurants a couple of times and for 10-12 people you can imagine the cost of each meal and drinks. My sister in law picked up the first tab which was not unexpected because she is a very generous person and was tickled to have us there. My kids offered to help her but no way, she had the tab.
The next night we went to another restaurant for dinner. My brother in law tried to pick up this tab but my kids were ahead of him this time and bought dinner for all of us. My brother in law is quite well fixed and we all know he can afford to treat us which he frequently does. My kids aren’t wealthy, but they do cherish their independenc. Somehow they have learned the joy of giving and giving back to those who have treated them many times. I was proud of them!
Now we are living in a society where a large number of people are receiving welfare, food stamps and other entitlements. Like my granddaughters many have little choice, and it may be appropriate that we should help them. But also like my granddaughters they don’t know where the money comes from and are in bondage to someone’s discretion as to how much they should have. That in itself can be frustrating. But somehow they haven’t learned the joy of making a living and giving back to others along the way.
I am very happy that my kids can support themselves and give back to others. It gives them joy to do so as well as self esteem. My question is: how do we instill these values in everyone? Is it education? Family values? Motivation? Pride?
I want to see as many as possible experience this joy. I doubt if anyone really likes dependency on others if they have a choice. Do they?
Posted in General | Tagged entitlement, financial prosperity, GIVING, make a living, money priorities, prosperity, relationships, success, survival |
By Rob Severson on July 24, 2012
I spoke at a community college last week about “what employers look for when hiring”. My publicist, Rachel Anderson http://www.rmapublicity.com/ has been representing me in contacting colleges that are interested in bringing in outside speakers for various classes. My goal is to pass on my experiences in business and careers and how they have lots in common . Mission, service, marketing and money management to name the broad areas.
It is quiet in schools now in the summer session but I have gotten several initiations to speak at summer classes. The recent one was as at the invitation of a career counselor at a community college.
I admit to being skeptical of what folks are learning in college these days. Seems that many come out wanting to “change the system” rather than participate in it and enjoy the benefits of success. This school was right on the mark of encouraging success!
As I walked to the class with the career counselor she was greeted by several students and it was obvious that her relationship was great. She was a real encourager! Important for me, she was also very open to bringing in anyone who she thought could help the students. She was “other’s centered” thinking first of the students, not just her position. She was very secure and experienced in her role, great to witness!
Then I met the instructor of the class. He was dynamite! He quickly interacted with the class asking them how their job searches were going and encouraging and affirming then in what they were doing. He was high energy and it rubbed off on everyone. I was almost intimidated to follow him, but the class was also very much into learning and paid careful attention to my talk. They enjoyed hearing some of my experiences, successes and failures, and we quickly bonded.
So…. I came away with higher regard for the education system. At least this college! I hope there are many others like out there!
I truly believe that if more of us can pass on our stories to young people that they will be encouraged and taught to make living in this world. Entitlements may work for some, but true self esteem comes from making it on your own! And yes, there are lots of folks who will help you along the way if you want it.
Posted in General | Tagged attitude, careers, contacts, education, jobs, prosperity, relationships, success, survival, work |
By Rob Severson on July 17, 2012
“Look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own” Barack Obama
I agree with him!! We all benefit from what society provides us. That is one of the things government should provide for us, a helpful environment for businesses that can prosper and provide jobs as they prosper. A healthy business climate is good for all!
Businesses benefit from roads, bridges, military defense, the internet and many other things that make it possible to run a business and succeed. That is self evident.
However, everyone benefits from the same things Obama is talking about. Everyone has an opportunity to go to school, drive on the roads and use the internet. So the question should be: why do some people make it and some fail if we are in the same environment? With the same “help” we should all be rich!
This is a subject that intriguer me: Is it motivation? Intelligence? Hunger? Creativity? Fault of education? It certainly can’t be the assistance that is available as many businesses succeed, and according to Obama they didn’t do it on their own.
And, if some have made it with the available assistance, why do we need more? Seems to me that the infrastructure is already out there and that it works for those that take advantage of it. We are spending a ton on education, maybe we need to look at what we are teaching?
I’m in the camp that thinks more people can be successful in business or as employees if they learn how to be successful. Folks can learn that by studying how businesses work and what makes them do well. I also think we should spend our time motivating people to be successful by lifting up the successful businesses as heroes, not treating them as money sources for big government.
I’m trying to do my part by speaking to college classes about things I have learned in business. If you are in business I highly encourage you to do the same. We need to be part of the “help” Obama refers to!
Posted in General | Tagged attitude, business finance, entitlement, financial prosperity, make a living, obama business, prosperity, social injustice, success, taxpayers |
By Rob Severson on July 12, 2012
I have been listening to reports of poverty and success for various groups. From what I have read the issue seems to be fairness and inequality issues. I guess the theory is that many are born into their fate and are stuck there. I don’t have the facts but do believe there may be some truth to the arguments of how people are raised by their parents.
With that idea in mind I believe one solution is for folks to help out in places where those mentors may be missing. Many don’t have parents like I had who they can turn to for advice on how to build a career and get ahead in life. Some think they are stuck where they are and the “system” holds them back
This problem is why I wrote my book “Connecting Peace, Purpose & Prosperity” and why I am seeking speaking gigs at high schools and colleges in order to share what I learned during my career. I don’t claim to be an example of the top achievers, but I did manage to have a modicum of success in business and learned a lot in the process.
I am seeking opportunities to get involved with young people to share what I have learned about simple success. I’d especially like to get involved in areas where the young folks do not get much chance to hear the things my parents and others taught me about work and the benefits of frugality to name a few.
And, it isn’t just hard work; it is learning skills to be a valued employee, developing relationship skills, building customer/employer service mentality and marketing your skills.
If it is true that some don’t have anyone helping them figure out how to make a living, then those of us who have done it should step up and help. I am not an entitlement kind of guy; I think that is self defeating. Welfare and food stamps will not solve this problem, nor will education as usual. Education doesn’t seem to be solving the problem although there are some great teachers out there.
So rather than sitting around and complaining about entitlement, let’s see how we can help people learn to do better. I really believe that lots of us can help out educators by visiting classes and telling them our story. Especially to those who haven’t heard success stories. Even average ones like mine.
If anyone would like an in-process outline of what I speak on email me and I will send it to you. Maybe you will have more ideas for this!
Posted in General | Tagged attitude, careers, entitlement, financial prosperity, jobs, make a living, prosperity, relationships, success, survival, work |
By Rob Severson on June 27, 2012
In my last article I talked about selfishness and how it can affect “having it all:. This article is another look at what having it all may mean.
Back to AA again, the primary goal of AA in addition to stopping drinking and drugging is to find serenity. I believe that is what we really want and having it all may be just that.
The first steps in AA are admission that we can’t control much at all and must look to God for control. That means that we do things His way, and trust him for the outcomes. Sounds easy, but it isn’t. I think we all have a strong desire to control our lives; some do to some extent, others get into trouble when they learn they can’t. When we can’t we get frustrated and we may act out with anger, envy, guilt, alcohol use and many other ways that are self defeating.
With serenity as a goal we may look at having it all differently. First:
• We will seek out how God says we should live, not our will but His be done
• We will trust him for results when we are in his direction
• We will put others first as in the Great Commandment: Love God and your neighbor as yourself
• We will keep our relationships clean; making amends where necessary
• We will help others along the way, not just focus on ourselves
This is a simplification of the 12 steps of AA, pardon me if I over simplified. But I think these are the primary issues they deal with. I believe we also need to make a living in order to support our needs and our families needs. By doing that we will experience the self worth of supporting ourselves. That is my addition to happiness!
They say money doesn’t bring happiness, I don’t think power doesn’t either.
If you really want to have it all I think serenity is what you want!
Posted in General | Tagged alcohol, attitude, careers, entitlement, financial prosperity, goal setting, have it all, life priorities, make a living, social injustice, success, work |
By Rob Severson on June 27, 2012
Seems this is a recurring theme, especially for women. But I think men “want it all” too. As I understand it the issue is that folks want a great career, great family and success in general. That seems like a good goal for everyone.
The problem is in finding a way to get there. I don’t want to get in to women’s issues as I don’t understand them. The issues or women!
But I do have some thoughts about this. My thoughts come from some AA meeting I have attended several years ago. One of the common stories is about how strong control issues affected the members. Trying to control everything (not just alcohol or drugs) put them into a position of potential failure as they found they couldn’t control much at all. None of us can!
The result of this often led to selfishness that brought broken relationships, lack of self esteem and using drugs or alcohol to medicate their problems. They discovered that what they really wanted was happiness or serenity as they call it in AA.
This doesn’t mean we can’t compete and seek success in all areas of our lives if that is what we want. But we need to guard against pitfalls becoming so entrenched in our goal that we become focused only on us and our goals. Careers, marriages, families and friends have little room for selfish behavior.
I believe that obsession with self defining goals can actually work against those goals!
Just something to think about. If you disagree feel free to comment!
Posted in General | Tagged attitude, careers, entitlement, financial prosperity, goal setting, have it all, jobs, life priorities, make a living, prosperity, relationships, selfiahness, success, work |
By Rob Severson on June 22, 2012
If you are reading this you must have a computer and at least some computer skills. You may know how to type or are getting by with the “hunt and p[peck” system. That being the case, you can write your story for your family! The computer has made it possible for any of us.
Many people have done research on their family trees to learn about their ancestors. They learn a lot, but without specific information on them they may really not know much about them. Unless they were famous or infamous!
I want my descendants to know something about me. I want them to know what some of my values are and a few successes, failures and problems in my life. I want them to be happy! So I wrote and dedicated my book to them: “Connecting Peace, Purpose & Prosperity”. It is a collection of wisdom from several places and is considered tried and true over the ages.
I published it myself and it is available to anyone interested in a path to living a life that is happy, joyous and free along with some life experience I have had that shows examples in my life that the concepts I promote are valid. They are things I learned, I didn’t make them up!
I admit that I had an agenda; but everyone has a story. I hope that anyone who reads this post considers writing a story for their families. It doesn’t need to be published, it can just be a few pages if that is all you are interested in writing. I don’t recommend a “tell all” memoir, but your family will enjoy it in years to come, especially a couple generations later when your descendants want to know who you were. It doesn’t need to be long; mine is only 77 pages!
And it will give you a chance to pass on what you have learned to your families! And the world too, if you like!
Posted in General | Tagged attitude, christian books, family, financial prosperity, jobs, life priorities, make a living, memoir, success, survival, work |
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