Survive, Strive, Thrive

Life comes in phases – baby to young adult to senior citizen. Business displays the same phases.

Survivors are people whose attitude of minimum effort allows them to just survive; they choose to do as little as possible to get through life. You will find these people on the welfare roles. An upscale version of this appears in the cute kid who expects life to hand them everything they want with zero effort on their part. You know the female who seeks a sugar daddy or plays the “I’m cute so give to me” attitude. Guys are not exempt either even though there are less in the “I am handsome and full of muscles so give me’ category. America has unfortunately encouraged an entitlement society.

Survivors take from society rather than contributing to its growth.

Our ancestors were hard working industrious people. They were strivers. Prospectors who mined for gold endured extreme weather, shortages of food, and rudimentary shelter. Early settlers in the West endured dust storms, insect devastation of crops, Indian attacks, as well as the most basic of living conditions. Our ancestors who crossed the ocean in steerage compartments were directed past the machinery, down deep stairways into the enclosed cramped quarters of the lower decks; they lived or died in the absolute minimal accommodations. Today these pioneers are the single mothers who scrape by to care for their children by working two jobs. The strivers are the people, young and middle age, who attend night school or study at the library to advance their knowledge and value in the workplace. The strivers are the ones who sacrifice the weekend party to learn and grow and provide a better future for themselves and their families.

The strivers are the ambitious determined citizens who will not settle for just getting through life; they are committed to improving themselves. Strivers contribute to society. Our nation was founded by strivers. If we are to emerge from our current economic dilemma, it will be due to the strivers. Entrepreneurs are strivers. Entrepreneurs contribute to the improvement of conditions for the entire society.

As an entrepreneur’s mentor, there is a responsibility to encourage strivers. Entrepreneurs work closely with coaches and their entrepreneur’s mentors to constantly tweak and improve their performance. Entrepreneurs constantly strive for improvement. Our nation was founded by and for entrepreneurs. Our forefathers did not risk their lives and all of their worldly possessions to beget a nation of survivors and folks who expected a hand out.

The quarrel is not with those who genuinely need and deserve assistance; the verbal “kick in the pants” is directed at the capable but lazy. Entitlement mentality people frequently have the ability but not the motivation to get off the couch and earn their way forward.

America doffs its hat in respect to the strivers, the entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur’s mentor becomes an honor and a valuable use of time in extending wisdom to assist others in moving forward.

Thrivers have arrived. Thrivers epitomize the result of striving and accomplishing. Thrivers earned their success through concentrated focused goal oriented efforts. Look throughout history at the successful leaders in every aspect of society. Every one of them endured challenges, setbacks, and adversity; each one of them persevered through the speed bumps of life. The thrivers are the strivers who remained steadfast to their goals until they arrived.

Thrivers earned their reward. Most thrivers were entrepreneurs. Whether they chose a career in business, one of the performing arts, education or science, they dedicated themselves to their future.

Question yourself if you have chosen to be a survivor and draw from society rather than contribute to it.

Be proud of yourself for being an entrepreneur and a striver. Celebrate your success as a thriver. America grew to be the greatest nation through the efforts of the strivers, the entrepreneurs. Be proud to be a striver and a thriver.

For more inspiration and guidance on how you can be a striver and thriver, an entrepreneur, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Poor Me

“Poor Me” whines the person who wants others to do everything for them. You recognize the type, right? They are the ones who invite you for coffee and step aside after they order until you pay. I really do not mind paying. My concern lies more in their mindset of lack and entitlement.

An attitude of entitlement permeated United States for years and contributed to the election of many government officials. People who expect others to do for them without any effort or contribution on their part exemplify an attitude of entitlement. We meet these unfortunate souls in many areas of our life. They are the ones who send our “oh woe is me” letters to solicit donations for their personal benefit when they could simply get off their chair and exert a little effort.

There are individuals who genuinely deserve charitable giving. A family who experiences a tragic loss, accident or illness and needs temporary assistance deserves our help. I have given very generously over and over to employees, friends and relatives who needed a temporary loan or boost to get over a tough spot. I give very generously at church and in my community for the less fortunate. I give with a cheerful heart because I am so grateful for the blessings I have received.

An ancient spiritual law decrees that the Egyptians, Babylonians, Hebrews, and Chinese believed that when they gave with a cheerful and grateful heart that wealth returned to them in absolute abundance. In fact, they believed the number 10 was magic. Some say that became the origin of tithing – giving ten percent of crops, livestock and money. The ancients believed giving was the means to receive in abundance.

History has demonstrated the existence of givers and receivers. The receivers, the entitlement society, expect to be taken care of and provided for without any effort on their part. This entitlement belief has created four and five generation welfare families. This “give me a hand out” mentality has created a poverty and lack mindset generation after generation.

Right here in the midst of affluence there is a healthy young lady with a masters degree in business who expects others to send her money so that she does not have to find a job to earn for herself. That is a perfect example of an entitlement mentality. Personal opinion is that she needs to get off of her chair and go to work rather than relying on being cute and lazy.

Seriously examine your personal beliefs. Are you taking responsibility for your life and your results? We live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. We have more opportunities to learn and earn than any other nation. We have more freedom of decision on every aspect of our lives than in any other nation.

Stop encouraging and enabling the “poor me” crowd who is perfectly capable of contributing to society. This will allow us to contribute to those who truly need and deserve our financial and emotional support. Eliminating the entitlement attitude will assist America in getting back on their financial feet.

I am so proud to be associated with a group of positive, forward thinking, growth oriented entrepreneurs who contribute to society rather than detract from it. People who take responsibility for their decisions, actions and results are the examples of the leaders who created this great country of ours.

Are you a giver or a taker? It is a choice.