At the end of each December, I make a mad dash for my pile of books, in an effort to complete my planned reading for the year. In addition to exciting new materials, I revisit the classics as well, because these tomes that have withstood the test of time may stay the same, but I am different every time I read them, so I look forward to the new distinctions I uncover upon rereading, as a measure of the ways I have grown.
Having gone as far as I could with my list of new books, my last read of 2003 was…"The Richest Man In Babylon" by George S. Clason. This dusty old war horse has been teaching people about success as a function of industriousness, self discipline and consistency for almost eighty years, yet its message is as fresh today as it ever was.
I hope you’ve read this short parable at least four or five times, but if not, please get a copy and crank it up. It’s worth plowing through the period dialect to get at the essence, which is extremely accessible. Simply put, it’s the story of a man who discovered the secrets to wealth, and of the students who applied his wisdom to become rich.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking this a dissertation on greed, for it is quite the opposite. It emphasizes prudence and ethics, and is more common sense about money than most people can fathom. But the simplicity belies the profound nature of the commentary, for truly, following the beliefs and actions described therein will certainly increase your wealth and lead toward an ongoing flow of abundance.
I won’t upstage "The Richest Man" by trying to explain his philosophies here — even if I did, they’d seem too simplistic, out of the context of the book. It doesn’t sound very glamorous to ask you to save some of your money every week or to be careful with your investments. But the charm of the book is in seeing yourself in each of the characters — the financial naiveté, the frustrations, the discouragements, the determination to break through and the ultimate victories.
In 2004, you can put yourself in position to create more impact, and to have it manifest in part as increased return for you. There is nothing dirty or unsavory about being profitable and generating plenty in your lifestyle. Indeed, becoming wealthier puts you in position to do more of whatever it is you want to do.
If you are already on your way to creating prosperity, good for you! If not, it’s never too late to learn these principles. I assure you, it will not compromise your integrity one iota to learn how to attract opportunity and make the most of it. As a matter of fact, my experience is that wealth is an amplifier — if you are inherently good, it will just give you more chances and better resources to do more good.
Make this your year to learn, relearn and master the laws of success — you’ll make the world a better place, and reap the rewards of a life well lived. Happy New Year!
Dennis Perman DC, for The Masters Circle
PS If you’re planning your 2004 seminar schedule, remember to include the first quarter MVP seminars, entitled "Raising The Bar Of Chiropractic Practice." These power-packed two day seminars in Chicago, SF and NJ will help you improve your practice with better leadership, marketing, patient education and confrontational tolerance. We’ve even added continuing education for many states — to register, or for more information, call 800-451-4514 or go to themasterscircle.com.
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