We’ve all heard the same advice from our parents and teachers when we were children: work hard in school, get good grades so we can go to university and get a degree. Then we can get a high paying job with good benefits, and we’re set for life. Sounds like great advice, but unfortunately its not something which leads to riches. It’s this kind of thinking that will keep you poor throughout your entire life.
Robert Shemin, in his book, “How come THAT idiot’s rich and I’m Not?”, explains why most people are not rich. We all know people who should by the world’s standards not be rich or successful. We wonder why those intellectually inferior, lazy, and unorganized people are enjoying greater success than we are. Shemin’s book shows why we’re poor and why they are rich, or to use the word he uses for them, rich idiots.
He uses the term RUB to describe poor people: Right side Up and Broke. What this means is that following all the rules and conforming to society’s standards will keep you perpetually poor. The rich are rich because they think different. This sounds like the old Mac advertising slogan, but in this case its the ability to take control and responsibility for your life. We’re rewarded from an early age for being obedient and we’re told that we’re smart if learn all the rules and everything else that we’re taught. Those who don’t conform are punished and forced back into line, and labeled as idiots if they continue resisting.
You won’t learn rich idiot skills in the public school system. Few people realize that the modern school system is a Prussian invention dating back to the 19th Century. Schools were designed to produce obedient employees and soldiers. They do so with great success. There are better systems out there, such as Montessori Method. The founders of Google are one of the many success stories that came out of this innovative learning process.
Shemin gives a short test to determine if your a rich idiot or a RUB:
- How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?
- How do you put an elephant into the refrigerator?
- The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All of the animals attend the animal conference, except one. Which animal does not attend?
- You have to cross a river. The river is used by dangerous crocodiles. You do not have a boat. How do you manage it?
I took this test and found out I was a RUB. Shemin expects that if your reading his book, you must be a RUB so you don’t have to feel bad. He will help change your thinking for your path towards becoming a rich idiot.
After showing you what a RUB and rich idiot are, Shemin goes on to explain how to change your thinking and what you need to do become rich. His book gives specific examples in many areas to help you build wealth, such as the three assets that you need to own in order to become wealthy.
“How come THAT idiot’s rich and I’m Not?” can be summarized in two points:
- Idea = RUB
- Idea + Action = Rich Idiot
We all get ideas on how to make money, but most do not act on them. Later, they complain when someone else uses their idea to get rich. The road to riches is one where people take action to move along it. Put action behind your ideas and join the rich idiot club.
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