The Difference Between The Haves and Have Nots
Copyright (c) 2010 Scott F Paradis
If the potential to generate wealth exists everywhere why is it that relatively few people control almost all the riches? Why have some individuals and nations developed and prospered while others have languished and suffered in poverty? What is the difference between the "haves" and the "have nots"?
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of the cumulative "value" of goods and services produced in an economy, that is the "value added" by human ingenuity and labor. GDP is an indicator of wealth. A cursory survey of countries and regions around the globe demonstrates a wide disparity in GDP and in the accumulation of wealth. Production, as measured through GDP, or prosperity, as measured in accumulated wealth, is not evenly distributed around the world, around a country, around a town, or around a neighborhood for that matter.
While the potential to contribute to GDP or accumulate wealth is virtually limitless, not all individuals and not all economic systems manifest that potential with the same efficiency.
Wealth is a function of the synthesis of motivation, ingenuity, and resources. Trade or economic activity is the catalyst. Wealth is built on three components: desire (wants or needs to satisfy); means (to produce or provide a product or service); and medium of exchange (system). In traditional economic parlance, money-making activity is a system of supply meeting demand.
To create anything of value people apply energy and talent manipulating elements of the environment. People act toward an end; that is employ knowledge, labor and resources to produce a product or service that is of use to others - adds value; satisfies wants or needs. Desire is the engine that drives the process while ideas are the creative spark that ignite and fuel the engine.
Ideas are accessible to everyone, free and abundant. Ideas only require preparation, focus and openness. An individual must be willing to think - question, imagine - and then receive. While the supply of ideas is inexhaustible, some people exploit the potential of ideas to create, some do not. In the same way, some people control wealth, most people do not.
In a world of limitless bounty the difference between "haves" and "have nots" can be found in each of the elements of building wealth: desire, means or medium. The wealthy are motivated by a base desire - they act; they acquire the means to produce; and they dominate, or are supported by, a system. The wealthy differentiate themselves from the masses by satisfying desires at a far greater rate than the rest of us.
The wealthy leverage assets to achieve definite ends. Most people, on the other hand, do not define ends but rather drift aimlessly about. Success does beget success. But essentially the difference between "haves" and "have nots", the difference that matters, is the willingness to act.
Achievers are those bold enough to act. The wealthy exploit what is abundant, what is accessible to all of us - ideas. Ideas fuel progress and prosperity. Desire is the discriminator; as desire fuels action. In a reality of unlimited opportunities the difference between the "haves" and "have nots" is the motivation to act.
If you want to be wealthy focus on what motivates you. Your passion, your desire will drive your success.
About the Author
Scott F. Paradis, author of "Promise and Potential: A Life of Wisdom, Courage, Strength and Will" http://www.promiseandpotential.com publishes "Insights" and a free weekly ezine, "Money, Power and the True Path to Prosperity". Subscribe now at http://www.c-achieve.com
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