A few posts back I spoke of a story I was reading out of a book by Andy Andrews. In that story the zoo keeper shared his secret to success. He used a word called “leverage” and applied it in his business to get what he wanted. He used leverage over his animals and also his employees. He knew how to provide just the minimum in exchange for what he wanted. In exchange for their freedom, he would give them food and shelter. Food and shelter is definitely a necessity, but you can still get it and so much more without having to sacrifice your freedom?
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
You have all heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs right? It outlines the human races level of needs starting with the basics, food and shelter. It is said that until one has mastered one level, they will not rise to the next. So in Laman’s terms, unless you have food, shelter, are breathing, are getting sleep and can go to the bathroom, you won’t really progress to the next level of the scale. Now that speaks words! How many people are still stuck on the bottom level of the 5 level scale because they have not mastered food and shelter? How many people struggle to pay rent or their mortgage and cannot progress along this scale because of it? Sure, they may jump up the scale for brief periods of time but what does it all come down to? It all comes back to the basics for that person!
Wouldn’t it be nice if one could master the bottom four and actually hit the top level and stay there? To have graduated from level four with complete and utter self confidence and respect from others and to be on a path of pure growth and self actualization? It is amazing how people limit their potential by focusing only on the things that seem to be the most important, like food and shelter. Sure, if I really focus on just making a living, I am sure to get it. But do I really want to just make a living? Or do I want to live my life? There is a big difference and I sure hope you realize that. Most employees make a living, paycheck to paycheck, or in other words, they get food and shelter.
Self actualization is the ultimate destination and very few reach it in this lifetime. The secret to it, is to simply look beyond the basics. By doing this, the basics will just be basics instead of the main focus. I finally realized this when I started a business, became an Entrepreneur and engulfed myself in Personal Development. I realized that I had been so focused on my basic needs that I had no clue as to my ultimate potential. Here are a few clues to determine of you are doing the same:
- Are you constantly stressed out over paying your bills?
- Are you barely making your rent or mortgage?
- While grocery shopping do you limit what you get because of your budget?
- Are you loosing sleep because of financial reasons?
- Are you living paycheck to paycheck?
- Do you seem to lack the time in your day after going to work to get much else done with your family, or your own personal needs?
If any of these things are true in your life, chances are you are still trying to master the basics!
All in all, stop settling for the basics in life and start living it!
David Allred is the author and creator of CFW. David has been teaching entrepreneur minded people how to earn a full time income working from the comfort of home for nearly a decade.
Think about it. Never miss your kids’ events, set your own schedule, choose your own income and enjoy a lifestyle and income which most people only drool over!
Be sure to connect with David Allred on Google+, Facebook and everywhere else!
