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I’ve read several fascinating articles lately, but don’t have the time to cover them in greater detail. Each of these is highly recommended.
>> Genius Types: The Best Deal I’ve Made Yet
Last weekend I was researching entrepreneurship and passive income when I stumbled upon this story about gumball machines, eBay, and an unexpected fortune. I don’t know anything about the bulk candy business, but after reading this story, I’d like to learn more. (If anyone has first-hand experience, please share.)
>> Oprah: The Cure for Self-Consciousness
Anne forwarded this piece from O, The Oprah Magazine earlier today. “This article reminded me of this post,” she wrote. I know what you’re thinking: “Oprah?” I was thinking that, too. Turns out I love the article:
In the beam of imaginary spotlights, many of us suffer untold shame and create smaller, weaker, less zestful lives than we deserve. Terrified that the neighbors might gossip, the critics might sneer, the love letter might fall into the hands of evil bloggers, we never even allow our minds to explore what our hearts may be calling us to do.
If, like me, you sometimes suffer from debilitating self-consciousness, you must read this article.
>> Author Views: Overcoming Underearning
I’ll soon be reviewing Barbara Stanny’s latest book, Overcoming Underearning. Meanwhile, here’s an excerpt highlighting 10 traits of underearners. I thought this was interesting in relation to our recent discussion about minimum wage. After reading this excerpt, I also think that we’re all underearners to a degree. I certainly am.
Finally, here’s a chance for Get Rich Slowly readers to do some good. Regular GRS-reader Stephanie Collins has been named a finalist for The Blogging Scholarship, a $10,000 award that could have a huge impact on her life. The first rounds were an application process, but the final winner will be chosen by popular vote. After you read about the finalists, you can cast your vote without any sort of registration. I’m voting for Stephanie!
.jpg "The Money Blog Network - Improving your bottom line")
October 11th, 2007 at 6:51 am
I *loved* the Oprah article. I had the same reaction - uh, OPRAH? But yeah, it was fantastic. It could have been written about me. So many times I have shied away from putting myself out there, because I think *everyone* is staring at me and criticizing what I’m doing/saying… even when I know in reality that they probably really don’t care LOL I keep that in mind, and it’s helped me be more outgoing lately, and I have worked on being boisterous despite my uncomfortableness - and I’ve ended up having so much fun and people don’t point and laugh at me *G* It feels so good to let go!
October 11th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Thank you so much JD, and thanks to everyone who votes for me!
These articles are great! Of course, now I’m looking around for candy vending machines! =)
October 11th, 2007 at 9:08 am
I read the Genius Types article the other day. I thought it was great. Most people don’t think about who owns gumball machines - they probably assume they are serviced by the same big companies that generally service soda machines. Nope - anyone can do it, you just need permission from the store to place the machine there. It was interesting.
I already voted for Stepahnie, but I’ll go check out those other articles.
October 11th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Re: underearners:
I really disliked this article. I didn’t want to, & the first half seems to be better then the last. The author seems to be saying that anyone who has a cause that they believe is more important then themselves is wrong. Now, not that people shouldn’t take care of themselves, but is this person saying that giving to charity instead of saving is BAD, for example?
I guess i felt that the article had so many strong points for it (people not valuing themselves, being self-saboteurs, &c), that it’s sudden cuts at giving people, or people who feel that they want to avoid the corruption that follows most people when they get excess wealth (then they know how to deal with), really upset me.
I’m all in favour of trying to earn money, and save money, &c; but there needs to be a goal. Getting money just to get money is just as bad as collecting Beanie Babies just to collect Beanie Babies; the only difference is that once you get shaken out of it, you can USE your money.
October 11th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Glad you liked the article about self-consciousness! I did some internet research and it turns out the author, Martha Beck, has had quite an interesting life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Beck
October 11th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
“I’m tired of working so hard and having nothing to show for it.”
October 11th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Allen, I read the underearners book, and she makes the point that if you’re choosing to earn less because you have more important things, you’re not who she’s talking about. What she’s talking about is the people who are unhappy with their earnings, yet not taking the steps to change them.
October 11th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
When you get to a certain age, employers aren’t going to hire you.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Thanks so much, JD, for mentioning my book and linking to the excerpt. I really appreciate it.
And I also want to thank Daedala for that astute reply to Allen.
I believe that giving generously without saving enough is an act of self sabotage…because not only do you jeopardize your future security but you diminish the impact you can make with your money.
Barbara Stanny, author “Overcoming Underearning”
http://www.barbarastanny.com