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| The Haves and the Have-Nots |
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| Written by Tom Wall |
| Tuesday, 22 June 2010 06:05 |
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When you hear the phrase “the haves and the have-nots”, what’s the first thought that tends to come to mind? You think in terms of money, right? But that’s only one category that people like to use when “keeping score”. Now, by no means am I about to make the case for the expression “money doesn’t buy you happiness”. For what it’s worth, I’ve seen and heard enough stories to know that it doesn’t. In fact, most of us have already come to that conclusion a while ago. But at the same time, let’s be honest. Not having money makes it really difficult to pay for the things we want and need to live comfortably. And although we all classify needs, wants, and comfort differently, it’s hard to deny the reality that financial needs exist. So if it’s not money that separates the haves from the have-nots, then what is it? I say it’s attitude. Regardless of whether your business is cash flowing, your retirement fund is growing, or your short-term financial goals are being met, your attitude is truly what influences what you wind up with in the end. I know, that sounds really naïve. And maybe it is. But whenever I get the opportunity to interact with people from varying backgrounds, I’ve found that they all tend to have different perspectives about life, work, and money. And it also appears that, over and over, the people that seem to be the happiest generally have a great attitude. They may or may not have wealth (or even health), but somehow they’re able to find the positive in their own life’s experiences. And despite not having many of the tangible things they wish they had, the one thing they do have, a great attitude, seems to supplement the rest. Having a relentlessly positive attitude tends to sustain them through the hard times and fuel their resilience. In contrast, it seems that many people who complain about not having what others enjoy are actually lacking more than just material possessions. The real difference between the haves and the have-nots is the type of attitude and outlook that it takes to attain these desired outcomes. As difficult as it is sometimes, I try to remind myself to stay positive and accept that I can’t control the curves that life throws my way or the current state of the economy that affects my business. All that any of us can do is to work hard at improving the services and products we offer and the cost of providing them. And really, that’s always where we need to invest our time and energy. For over a year now, the dairy industry and the rest of the economy have experienced tougher times than anyone could have possibly predicted. And somehow, most of us are managing to keep our businesses going and endure the stress and frustration that comes with it. Although numerous challenges will continue to test your mettle, your attitude will ultimately determine whether you merely survive or eventually thrive. So the next time someone starts talking about the haves and the have-nots, ask yourself what they’re really measuring. Chances are, the difference isn’t really found in the extra zeros in a bank account, but rather in the beliefs and attitudes in one’s head.
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