So while the guidelines may lack romance or an obvious direction, be assured that they're the genuine article.
RULE NO. 1--To acquire wealth today, you must be in your own business. You may think that the corporate executive with a $100,000 salary is better off than a small shop owner, but the executive will be hard pressed to double his income and taxes will eat up most of any increase. The simplest peanut vendor has unlimited opportunity to expand his business and his income. Even sales people, who in most cases are able to write their own paychecks, can control their sale increases themselves.
RULE NO. 2--You must have a working knowledge of the business when you start and continue to increase your knowledge of it as you go along. If you don't know what you're doing when you start, your mistakes will be costly and often unnecessary. You won't be able to keep up with the technological explosions in any field. Start smart and stay that way.
RULE NO. 3--You must save money in your personal life and in your business venture as well. Discipline is the key to saving money. You must develop the will power to deny yourself immediate gratification or the temptation to gamble on the quick buck. Resources will be needed for expansion and should be guarded carefully.
RULE NO. 4--You must take risks, both with your own money or with borrowed money. Risk-taking is essential to business growth. Nelson Bunker Hunt is admired for his guts in trying to corner the silver market, not scorned for losing money on this deal. Some of the richest men have staked their entire fortunes and lost, several times over, before the risk-taking paid off.
Back those risks with good judgment, experience, commitment, and the right support. Seek advice on risks from the wealthy who still take risks, not friends who dare nothing more than a football bet.
RULE NO. 5--You must not only learn to live with tension, you must seek it out. Thrive on stress! If it means getting physically fit, having a psychiatric overhaul or losing 50 pounds before you handle it, do so. Once you can learn to thrive on stress, you'll not only enjoy it, you'll seek it out willingly and enthusiastically and wonder how you could live any other way.
People of means look at making money as a game they love to play. Consider it serious business and you'll suffer far more stress than you need or want. Keep your perspective or your stress level will rocket beyond your control.
RULE NO. 6--Build wealth as a by-product of your business success. If wealth is your only object in business, you'll probably fail. Wealth is only a benefit of the game. If you win, the money will be there. If you lose (and you will from time to time), it must have been fun or it wasn't worth it.
RULE NO. 7--Patience. This is the greatest business asset. Wait for the right time to make your moves. Let your business grow naturally, not by pressing your luck.
RULE NO. 8--Diversify. Once you've made it, you'll understand that any business is limited in the challenges it offers. You'll want and need other games to play, so you'll look for other ventures to hold your interest.
Getty's rules can be used with any business and in your general "life attitude," as well. Apply them as soon and as often as you can, and apply them with intelligence and creativity.
Leon Johnson offers advertising/marketing and income opportunity reports. If you own a computer, you can advertise on and off the Internet simultaneously. And on a "Teenie-Weenie" budget. And IBM disk "Brings Cash!" Get it now! Send one dollar shipping and handling to:
Leon Johnson 1928 E. Highland Suite F104-443 Phoenix, AZ 85015-4626
