Author Archives: Craig Bailey

Oct 04 2014
2 Comments
Successful Kids

The American Dream – What Are We Teaching Our Children?!?

In a recent conversation with my 17-year old son (Evan), he was mentioning that, in one of his classes, a survey was taken asking the students the following questions:

  1. Can most anyone be successful in America?
  2. Are the majority of the unemployed not working by choice?

He was surprised to observe that he was among the very few who answered YES to both questions. I’m so proud of my kids and the way they think 🙂

Let’s explore each question:

Can “Most” Anyone Be Successful in America?

First, we must define what success is. It certainly is not the same for everyone. I’d suggest that the definition of the American Dream (as shared in Wikipedia) pretty much sums it up.

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The American Dream is, in my opinion, alive and well: for those willing to go for it!

For anyone doubting this…If someone were to tell their story about why they aren’t successful it is absolutely certain that we can identify a person (or numerous people) with the same story (or worse), who ARE successful (even wildly so).

As such, it would seem that success is a choice: to do what is absolutely necessary to become successful, or not. The good news is that I’m not leaving anyone hanging or simply “wishing them luck.” That is, the purpose of this blog is to share strategies to becoming successful! One simply has to take the necessary action – EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Now, for the 2nd question…

Are The “Majority” Of The Unemployed Not Working By Choice?

There are “some” unemployed who are trying diligently to land a job and having a tough go of it. My heart goes out to these people: those diligently trying – EVERY DAY. And, it is my hope that this blog offers some helpful strategies!

That said, there is no shortage of “jobs.”

After a quick drive through my hometown any casual observer will see a number of “Help Wanted” signs for full and part-time work. In reviewing the local newspaper one can find the same. And, we haven’t even gone online yet…

As such, if an able-bodied person doesn’t have a job (and hasn’t for a long period of time) I would agree with those who answered this question, in the affirmative (i.e., many of the unemployed are “choosing” not to work).

Given that we ALL must start somewhere (and, that would be at the bottom), it is critically important to reinforce to our children that:

  1. ANYONE can succeed / live the American Dream
  2. They MUST get a job and not rely on others (including the welfare system) – NO EXCUSES!

In summary, if we want “success” we must define what that means to us (specifically) and GET TO WORK.

DISCLAIMER: It is realized that a “very small” segment of our society cannot work due to moderate-to-severe mental and/or physical challenges. These are the people we MUST take care of. And, I’m happy to do my part! For the rest of us, able-bodied humans, the following quote applies:

If you don’t work, you don’t eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Oct 03 2014
7 Comments
Business Success, Inspirational

Launching a [Consulting] Business – Pulling It All Together

As you might imagine, I’ve had more than one person ask if I plan to write a book on this topic (Launching a Consulting Business). My response: probably. And, these posts are the fodder for that.

While I’m not yet done posting on this topic I thought it would be useful, for those interested, to create a sort of “Table of Contents” so that the posts can be read more easily “in order” – as an eBook.

As such, here we go…Click on any of the topics below and you are on your way!

Launching a Consulting Business – Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Litmus Test
  3. What Is Your Value Proposition?
  4. Define Your Market
  5. Define Your Competition
  6. Run The Numbers
  7. Engage A Board Of Advisors
    1. SCORE!
  8. Startup Administrivia
  9. Your Shingle
  10. Your Pitch
  11. Marketing Collateral
  12. Prepare To Make Some Noise
  13. Foundational Content
  14. #1 Marketing Channel – Part 1
  15. #1 Marketing Channel – Part 2
  16. #1 Marketing Channel – Part 3
  17. Shamelessly Promote
  18. Establish 3 Reference Accounts
  19. How To Avoid Feast vs. Famine
  20. Don’t Try To Do It All Yourself
  21. The Boring Stuff – Part 1 (Legal)
  22. The Boring Stuff – Part 2 (Accounting & Finance)
  23. The Boring Stuff – Part 3 (Insurance)
  24. Don’t Get Wrapped Around the Axle
  25. Where Are The Opportunities?
  26. Networking For Opportunities?
  27. Be Found!
  28. Be There!
  29. Be Connected!
  30. Be Equipped!
  31. The Image
  32. Where do I get a job like that ?!?
  33. The Mental Game
  34. Nothing Like Entrepreneurship
  35. Shamelessly Promote: Part 2

Again, there is still potentially more to come.

I hope that you find this organization of the posts on Launching a Consulting Business helpful. And, feel free to respond with any questions you may have or related topics you’d like covered.

All the best!

Tagged
Oct 02 2014
1 Comment
Personal Success

Education – The Most Powerful Equalizing Force

During my daily check-in to Yahoo! Finance I came across an article “School spending by affluent is widening wealth gap.”

In this article we learn (as the title would suggest) that the wealthier among us are spending (investing) in education at increasing rates, which serves to further widen the wealth gap.

We have 2 choices here:

  1. Complain about the widening wealth gap.
  2. Increase our own wealth and/or improve our children’s future prospects by investing in education!

There are a couple of telling quotes in this article including:

Education is the most powerful equalizing force ~ Thomas Piketty, the French economist whose exploration of tax data helped expose the wealth gap.

It becomes a feedback loop, where the children of the rich do the best in school, and those who do best in school become rich.

I know, some will say: “Yes, but the rich can afford to pay for high-priced private schools, tutors and Ivy League colleges.”

Reality: We do NOT need an “Ivy League” education to become affluent. As outlined in prior posts, we can:

  • Take advantage of the solid education opportunities that are available from much lower-cost options including:
    • Public schools (by staying in school and getting that diploma)
    • Community College to obtain an Associates Degree and (if so desired) transfer those credits to a
    • 4-year College or University to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
  • Work our tails off at the job we land from the education received (to-date), taking on every possible responsibility and opportunity to learn and grow
  • Self-educate (outside of a “formalized” system) – That is, education is NEVER-ENDING and we can do something about it EVERY SINGLE DAY. My own self-education is (partially) described in a prior post on “A Boot Camp Experience.”

Bottom-line: Education opens up doors of opportunity.

In closing, it is suggested that we don’t focus on the “negative spin” that the media would put on the wealthy. That is just wasting time and energy. Realize that “most” of the wealthy weren’t endowed from on high with a pile of cash: “most” EARNED IT from HARD WORK! And, education simply propelled them along the path.

As such, if we (truly) desire to improve our own situation (and/or our children’s future) we can do something about it: invest in education!

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