Before I used to say whatever I wanted and make moves whenever and where ever I chose to. I guess that's a convoluted way of saying I was reckless. However now I am so much more careful with everything, or at least I attempt to be. If I have a co-worker I don't care for instead of responding with venom I pray for them quietly and move on in peace. If I have someone that I truly am having trouble with outside of work I avoid them. If I have a disagreement with someone I choose to diffuse it (or attempt to choose to diffuse it) before it becomes an issue.
However, I have not changed my behavior because of religion. I have not changed my behavior out of a concern for my common man or because of social norms. I have changed my behavior because of one thing, pure and simple, money.
Since my savings account became larger than my checking account I have behaved in a much more reasonable manner toward everyone. I could wax philosophical about the social compact and how having an investment in the system is the ultimate force for support of that same system but I won't. What I will talk about is upward mobility.
Upward mobility and the process of building wealth is an everyday process. It takes planning, discipline, pragmatism, and a general eye toward keeping the boat steady. Not annoying your bosses. Not quitting your job. Not opening a business until you have sufficient capital. Generally simply being careful. The word careful can not be overstated. That care begins to seep into other areas of your life.
"I can't lose my keys because a locksmith costs ...", "I can't lose my wallet because the amount of lost time will cost me ...", "I can't lose my phone because if I do it'll cost me ...". Every mistake becomes a cost. It's something that eluded me before because I did not have enough income to generate capital. Now that I do I am driving down the long road to becoming a more productive citizen.
I have moderated my behavior frankly because now bad behavior costs me. I realize how much I've sacrificed to get to this point. Any steps backward now, any mistakes hurt twice as much, and therefore moderating my behavior is important to me. I am now invested in the system. I have moderated because it is in my self-interest to moderate because moderation is the only pragmatic way I see to make progress.
However, I have not changed my behavior because of religion. I have not changed my behavior out of a concern for my common man or because of social norms. I have changed my behavior because of one thing, pure and simple, money.
Since my savings account became larger than my checking account I have behaved in a much more reasonable manner toward everyone. I could wax philosophical about the social compact and how having an investment in the system is the ultimate force for support of that same system but I won't. What I will talk about is upward mobility.
Upward mobility and the process of building wealth is an everyday process. It takes planning, discipline, pragmatism, and a general eye toward keeping the boat steady. Not annoying your bosses. Not quitting your job. Not opening a business until you have sufficient capital. Generally simply being careful. The word careful can not be overstated. That care begins to seep into other areas of your life.
"I can't lose my keys because a locksmith costs ...", "I can't lose my wallet because the amount of lost time will cost me ...", "I can't lose my phone because if I do it'll cost me ...". Every mistake becomes a cost. It's something that eluded me before because I did not have enough income to generate capital. Now that I do I am driving down the long road to becoming a more productive citizen.
I have moderated my behavior frankly because now bad behavior costs me. I realize how much I've sacrificed to get to this point. Any steps backward now, any mistakes hurt twice as much, and therefore moderating my behavior is important to me. I am now invested in the system. I have moderated because it is in my self-interest to moderate because moderation is the only pragmatic way I see to make progress.
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