Polar Peter

This will be my final response to this guy since he is helpless in his thought process. I apologize to other rennlist members and promise to not further turn this thread into something it was not meant to be.

You are not forced to work for anyone, at least not in this country. Nikki, a classic under achiever, not satisfied with what he has accomplished and blaming it on those that have achieved more by mercilessly walking on others to get there right Nikki?? You just keep telling yourself that since this is the only logical reason one could have a CGT, either walking on others or doing something illegal, you have no clue. You’re a typical guy wanting an end result of equality but were never willing to put the same in up front, trying to drag everyone else down or waiting for others to carry you at a higher level. Not gonna happen is this country, not as long as i am president anyway. You need to move somewhere you will have equality, equal amounts of nothing.

CP

Another quick thought on starting your own business. That is highly personality-dependent. It helps if you are a type A person, tenancious, loves to win, hates to loose, will not get discouraged by failures - perceived or otherwise, willing to put in incredible work (hours, brain, travels, whatever it takes), etc. etc. If you look at yourself and say this is not me, then this road to wealth will be a tough one indeed.

Another issue is the amount of life-skills one has. We all know to work hard, but working smart is even more important. Being a problem solver (as opposed to a problem creator), a team player (we all know back-stabber and whiners), organization and time management skills, calm thinking starring disaster in the face, effective delegations, etc. These are life skills and attributes that carry one far, regardless of what one does. Unfortunately, no school, including marquee MBA programs, trains you in these matters.

This is just myself. I go out of my way for 'small' (less fortunate) people. I leave big tips at restaurants, organize my garbage and recyclables, put away all the knick-knacks before the cleaning people come, bring drinks to the gardeners, etc. First off, their lives are hard enough, if there is anything I can do to make it easier, or give them a little joy, that costs me nothing to do it. I also found out how much smoother my life is when I don't have to worry these items because I can trust the workers in these areas.

See, a good life is not only about wealth and richness, it's also about how much worry and stress one feels. While money buys a lot of relaxation and therapy, there are other ways to reduce stress and irritations as well.

Just my two cents.

CP

speedfreak2005

Success can be summed up in a single word-Sacrifice.(and I'm not referring to Virgins,hehe)

CP

Very true. Little doubt that delayed gratification helps grow the wealth faster at the front end. The key is knowing when and where to draw the line.

Though the root of this thread is the reward for all the sacrafices one makes. In Matt's case, a CGT or similar super-cars.

CP

kasturbo

Polar Peter, care to say what type of business you started? Just curious what you knew when many others didn't.

Anyone have any good tips for real estate? I'm currently flipping houses, but thinking about getting into rental properties as well.

These types of threads are the reason I visit this forum. Why not learn from those who have already proven success.

KY_soldier

FWIW, I am not yet there, but more than halfway and moving FAST. One real estate deal at the present may put me over the top next year.

I am 31, married with one child on the way. I am a combat veteran, and a member of the rat race. I spent the last 10 years working in hi-tech for household name companies, making a modest but decent living.

I saved hard and invested a little. Much like the millionaire next door.

When I came back from the war, I spent some $ because I realized life was short. It doesn't mean I was foolish, but I had a little tucked away for a rainy day.

This is such an interesting thread because last year I decided to make a pilgrimage of sorts to Germany. I went to Stuttgart and Leipzig, among others. When I took the Leipzig tour, a group of high school age students were there as well. One of them asked the Porsche tour guide "so who buys these cars anyway?" That is the million $ Porsche question. So who are we anyway? Are we a demographic? A sociographic? I think each of us has their own story. That's what makes it cool. It is just out of the reach of some, but well in the reach of many more than say, a Lambo or Ferrari. In addition, some used ones are relatively easily attainable.

My advice, do what makes you happy. Earn enough to be comfortable, but only if you can still be you. At some point, more doesn't necessarily bring you hapiness. My greatest legacy won't be my cars, or my work. It will be my friends and family's memories of me and my family, and my community's understanding of my service to my Nation. THAT, I am most proud of *(child not born yet).

NO ONE EVER SAYS ON THEIR DEATH BED, BUT IF ONLY I WORKED MORE...

mtb968

Polar Peter, CP, KY -
All well said.

There's more to life than toys.

KY - Thank you for your service
Peter - Incredible color!

Premier

Some 16 yrs ago, I was personally committed to the CYA (California Youth Authority).....growing up in slumps make one grow up fast.........in some ways too fast and too desperate. Today, my company is known to be the premier automotive paint protection film specialists. As someone already mentioned before, sacrifice.....in time, effort, and money. With all this said, I personally believe in one key component with your own business - passion towards perfection.

Anir

Polar Peter,

Well said.

I've always like the quote, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." I'm only 38 years old, but I've yet to meet "an overnight success".

harris

you could make some more money....

try at the same time to clean the front windscreens.....this might get you some more money....

Jamie140

At the age of 16, you'll likely be working for guys like some of us who own our businesses. Here's some advice.

Show up to work at least 5 minutes early
Be neat, clean and well-groomed
Be positive, helpful and friendly
Be energetic, keep busy
Learn as much as you can about the business
Don't gossip, don't hang around with anyone who has a negative attitude

You'll be shocked how few of your contemporaries seem to grasp these self-evident concepts. You'll also be shocked how far a positive, friendly attitude will take you.

Good luck to you.

Schlegel

What an excellent thread. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to it!

Being only 15 years old, I have to admit, I'm scared sometimes. Scared about what I'm going to do, what I'm going to be successful (or not) at. I have big dreams, big plans, and want big results. What I find most troublesome is something that many students at my school and at other schools go through. An aptitude/career test. It's almost hideous, the thought process behind it. You answer some questions about your personality and it matches you to a job, and it's picked from a list. I honestly went through the hundreds of careers listed on the screen and none of them appealed to me. What I want is something different, not something with a cap on it (both income and otherwise), not something where I have to be repetitive in my work, not something that a billion other people can do. I want to create my own title on that list, and hopefully it's starting a business because I've always loved it; not the finances, the headaches, etc., because I'm fully well aware of that, but for the outcome, the reward, and the bettering of other people's life. This world would be no where if everyone wanted to do this, we need people to pick a job on that list and go for it. I just don't want to be one of those people, I want to be something more, and I feel like I'm on my way.

One of the hardest things, however, is telling my parents, especially my Dad, who has a job on that list (albeit a very nice one), that I really don't have a plan, I haven't picked something out yet. On a side note, every year I go to a summer camp at a local university called WASC Leadershop. It's the best and brightest students in the state, none of them the smartest, the best athletes (I personally think althetics are WAAAAY too emphasised in school), but they're all well rounded. A message was given to us that it's okay to not have a plan. But it's hard for me to deny scholarships because I don't even know if I WANT to go to college (I don't have a solid reason). Can anyone give some advice on my situation? I'm undecided, I think destiny places a huge role in my future, and I have no idea what college could do for me?

CP

Schelegel,

This is a great piece: Steve Job's commencement speech at this year's Stanford graduation ceremony.

Enjoy. I may post some of my thoughts when I have a little more time.

http://news-service.stanford.edu/new...bs-061505.html

CP

mkell

Wow, I really appreciate all of the GREAT responses to my initial question/comment.

CP, this is an enlightenment for me. I know it sounds weird, but I have always wanted to be an architect since I was a little kid! I started designing houses in the 2nd grade. I know that I am no Frank Lloyd Wright, but I do feel that some of my designs are pretty impressive. I mean, considering I have no real experience. Lately, I have really been thinking about my future since I am going to be looking at colleges/making decisions and such this/next year. I was really looking into architecture, but I read a few things that really discouraged me from this path. I am so glad that you chimed in here. Your comment is so deep and I respect you so much for it. From what you have described to me, architecture is really what I am looking for. I can't thank you enough. Not only you ,CP, but everyone. You have all been a great help. Thanks!

Matt

***On a side not CP, might you have an email address at which I could contact you maybe if I have any questions or need some advice? I would really appreciate something like that.

CP

Matt,

You have PM.

In reality, I have met many people who are very successful in life, but have always wanted to be an architect. That's a very 'romantic' profession, and a lot of people want a 'dream' home for their family. Architecture has a wonderful way of making one's dream come true.

Two things I enjoyed most about residential architecture:
(1) Seeing my clients' eyes light up when they realise/visulaize what the design actually looks like.
(2) Seeing the beautiful homes built and listening to people's Ooohs and Awwwws while standing incognito in the background.

Best wishes for your upcoming choice of college and major.

CP