Be aware of what I like to call “Toxic people”.
This can be tough, because it often contains people who mean a lot to us-including family and friends. You can love them, but unless they’re experts or Rich Idiots themselves, never listen to any advice they give you. The Toxics show up in various sub categories.
1. They ” I Mean Well” Group
These Toxic people have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. Unfortunately, most people get some, if not all, of their wealth advice from the ” I Mean Well” group. For example, your second cousin who’s a greeter at a discount department store loves to tell you how investing in the stock market will never work. What’s his reasoning? Because he never did it himself. People are programmed to tell you you’ll never do a certain thing because they themselves have never don that thing.
Let me ask you this: Would you take your child to get an eye operation from a foot surgeon? Of course not. Why? Duh! Because a foot surgeon knows about feet, not eyes. Pay no attention to all those people in this category.
2. The Tried and Failed” Group
The second type in the “Toxic” category includes that unhappy bunch of folks who have tried to become Rich Idiot’s and failed. This is where most people get their next big chunk of wealth-advice from.
The “Tried and Failed” crowd often contains people who made bad decisions in real restate or in the stock market or who started a business that crashed and burned. Now they feel qualified to give you tons of advice about these investment vehicles. The minute you confide your wealth dreams to such people they jump in and proceed to tell you their personal horror stories. Do not listen. In fact, run away as fast as you possibly can.
3. The Comfort Zone Group
The third group of Toxics is made of the buddies you hang out with because you feel comfortable in their company. These are the folks with whom you go to ball games, drink beer, share barbecues, and work beside. They could be old school buddies, favorite cousins, the guy who gave you a great deal on your car or you next-door neighbors. They live in the same kind of house as you, shop in the same stores, eat in the same restaurants, go to the same movies, and about the same money. The last one-make about the same money-can kill your Rich Idiot foal. In fact, it’s the main reason to stay away from their advice in money matters. Do you want to stay where you are or become wealthy? Listen to people who have actually made it!
4. The Dream Stealers.
We are products of our environment. We have to be wary of the influences swirling around us. As you begin your journey to riches, be careful to protect yourself form the Dream Stealers-the negative people in your life. I ‘ve discovered them among my friends and family. You probably have such people in you life right now. The minute you try to do something different-start a new business, invest in a new stock, do something or anything to improve your wealth-what do these killjoys say? -Nothing positive, certainly. Rather you get lost of dire warnings about imminent disaster.
Be warned. The more successful you become, the more the Dream Stealers will try to pull you back. You may even lose good friends and loved ones in the process. But remember, they’ll find themselves left behind because of their own fear and failure, not your success.
5. The “Ouch, It’s Me” Group
This exclusive group contains only one member: you. The final Toxic person you need to watch out for is yourself. Go to the mirror and take a good look at yourself. What do you see? Do you see a Toxic person-your own worst enemy, that evil twin always whispering in your ear that you’re a failure? Or do you see a cheerleader?
The bottom line is that you have to protect your vision and your path to success. Yes you should get mentors and advice. But make sure to get it from people who actually have a track record of success. Don’t listen to the “could have should haves” around you.
