This post is a response to a question that came in from Joanne T. from San Jose, CA, after listening to the telephone seminar, “Becoming Wealthy During Turbulent Economic Times”.
On Tuesday November 25th, 621 small business owners, sales professionals and entrepreneurs tuned in to an 84 minute, information packed, no B.S. telephone seminar on both how to think AND behave in order to maximize their ability to thrive in any economy.
QUESTION: Is it contradicting to strive for happiness without material possessions, yet at the same time believe that “the world wants me to be wealthy”?
“Jon, when you spoke about ‘our right to be prosperous’, I almost hung up. I found myself battling between what you were saying, and my core belief that I should find piece and happiness regardless of material status or possessions. This is also a lesson I have worked diligently to teach to my children as they grow in a world that is – depending on where you look – consumed with material desires.”
“If the belief you were sharing, based on your research, is truly a commonality amongst the ‘mega successful’, how can I benefit from this belief without abandoning the peace that I have found with living a life of simplicity, grounded values, with little material attachment?”
Joanne T. San Jose, CA
ANSWER: Jon Berghoff
Joanne, I honor you for your principle based question, and I hope you will find my answer to be helpful.
You may remember that I shared on the call the following:
“…the reason I know that the world wants you to be wealthy, is because if you imagine being wealthy beyond your wildest dreams – as a result of running your business – you can walk backwards from the future and will likely see that the way you became wealthy was through providing tremendous value for others.”
Keep in mind that this idea is exclusive of one’s “need” for material goods. While I may have used the words “rich” or “wealth” on the call, my personal perspective is that these terms reflect ones internal state plus their contribution through creating value for others, not related to their material possessions.
In fact, Joanne, I am a living example of finding peace with just “being” and not “needing”. My friends are often astounded when they step into my home and see my 24 year old Magnavox television – double impressed when they see that it works, in color -, a stereo system that is worth less than $100, furniture that I found almost entirely for free when I first bought my home, and have yet to replace it (it still looks nice, but nobody knows that it was all second hand – the Gods of Craigslist love me).
So, Joanne, I get it. I am here to say that anybody can enjoy a peaceful, non-materialistic state of being, while also aspiring to create wealth through providing entrepreneurial value. They don’t have to conflict.
Jon Berghoff
Jon Berghoff is the founder of Global Empowerment Connection. GEC has a history of creating sales, leadership, and entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence’ over ourselves, others and the world. Subscribe to Insights on Influence, our free e-zine at www.geconnection.com.
