Every great fortune has to start somewhere – yours is no exception.
Yes, it’s great if you have a wealthy relative who is able to assist you with their financial influence and experience. Not everyone has that luxury.
Not everyone has squirreled away their savings over time or made wise investment or career choices.
And still, it is possible for you… for anyone, to amass a great fortune.
How?
History always affords us the opportunity to learn from some of the masters of wealth building. One such master is Andrew Carnegie.
Scouring through his biographies reveals the factual information… a lot of which has been clouded by the various biographers’ biases for and against the man, depending on their interpretation of historical events and how they believe Carnegie impacted those events. Regardless, there is a lot you and I can learn from Carnegie.
Andrew Carnegie went from poverty to self-made millionaire, becoming the wealthiest man on earth during his lifetime. Eventually, he gave most of his money away. At the height of his fortune, translated into the value of money today, Carnegie was worth $298.3 billion (£149.15 billion).
Do remember that this was self-made, despite his humble beginnings.
So what ensured Carnegie became such a phenomenal success?
Carnegie knew exactly what he wanted. He had no idea how he would get to his final destination but he knew what he was working towards. He was determined, devoted to self-improvement and would not shy away from hard work. He was also a life long learner. Despite his family’s poverty, they had instilled in Carnegie a love of learning.
As for knowing exactly what he wanted…
Whilst working as a telegraph runner the young boy ensured he over delivered and excelled in the job he was performing. He went over and above his call of duty. It was due to an incident that occurred one Saturday night at the Ohio Telegraph Company’s office that resulted in Carnegie developing his vision for himself, his brother Thomas and his parents that resulted in his immense success later in life.
In his autobiography, published posthumously, Carnegie explains:
“The incident in my messenger life which at once lifted me to the seventh heaven, occurred one Saturday evening when Colonel (John) Glass was paying the boys their month’s wages. We stood in a row before the counter, and Mr. Glass paid each one in turn. I was at the head and reached out my hand for the first eleven and a quarter dollars as they were pushed out by Mr. Glass. To my surprise he pushed them past me and paid the next boy. I thought it was a mistake, for I had heretofore been paid first, but it followed in turn with each of the other boys. My heart began to sink within me. Disgrace seemed coming. What had I done or not done? I was about to be told that there was no more work for me. I was to disgrace the family. That was the keenest pang of all. When all had been paid and the boys were gone, Mr. Glass took me behind the counter and said that I was worth more than the other boys, and he had resolved to pay me thirteen and a half dollars a month.
“My head swam; I doubted whether I had heard him correctly. He counted out the money. I don’t know whether I thanked him; I don’t believe I did. I took it and made one bound for the door and scarcely stopped until I got home… I handed over to mother, who was the treasurer of the family, the eleven dollars and a quarter and said nothing about the remaining two dollars and a quarter in my pocket–worth more to me then than all the millions I have made since.
“Tom, a little boy of nine, and myself slept in the attic together, and after we were safely in bed I whispered the secret to my dear little brother. Even at his early age he knew what it meant, and we talked over the future. It was then, for the first time, I sketched to him how we would go into business together; that the firm of ‘Carnegie Brothers’ would be a great one, and that father and mother should yet ride in their carriage. At the time that seemed to us to embrace everything known as wealth and most of what was worth striving for.”
“On Sunday morning with father, mother, and Tom at breakfast, I produced the extra two dollars and a quarter. The surprise was great and it took some moments for them to grasp the situation, but it soon dawned upon them. Then father’s glance of loving pride and mother’s blazing eye soon wet with tears, told their feeling. It was their boy’s first triumph and proof positive that he was worthy of promotion. No subsequent success, or recognition of any kind, ever thrilled me as this did. I cannot even imagine one that could. Here was heaven upon earth. My whole world was moved to tears of joy.”
It was that incredible night, filled with enthusiasm and boundless confidence, when the young Andrew Carnegie developed his vision. Please note that his vision extended beyond one himself. It included his entire family.
Later in life Carnegie also strove to add value to and improve the lives of many others. In fact to this very day Carnegie’s works of philanthropy continue to have a profound impact on society.
This, right here is the seed of immense fortunes, vision.
Note Carnegie’s words once more:
“We would go into business together… the firm of ‘Carnegie Brothers’ would be a great one.”
Years later the brothers were in business together… their company was a great one. One of the most influential steel producers of the time.
Interesting story, but how does this apply to you and your desire to create a financial empire?
1. Develop a vision for yourself. One that extends beyond yourself. One in which you have a positive impact upon your family, community, country, generation, the world, etc.
Sports psychologist Dennis Waitley travels the world lecturing on the importance of having a clear mental image of yourself and your success as you wish to have it. Every great success has first come as a result of someone creating a vision of that success.
It is important that you have clarity. It’s only through having a clear target to aim for that you’ll be able to hit the target.
Philosopher Dr. John DeMartini mentions that you vision should extend beyond the success you wish to create. For instance, if you want success solely for yourself, you should develop a vision of success for your family. If you want success for your family, develop a vision for your community. If you want success for your community, develop a vision for your country… for your country, develop a vision for the world… a vision for the world, develop an astronomical vision.
2. Now, enthusiastically believe in this vision of yours, having faith that it will come about. Begin taking action each day towards the fulfillment of this vision… although you currently may have no idea how to bring this vision about. Take action anyway with your focus and attention on your vision!
These are the beginnings of your ‘investment’ in becoming rich. Invest wisely.
Regards,
Themillionpoundman.com
http://www.themillionpoundman.com