Lesson 3 Science of Getting Rich: Is Opportunity Monopolised?
The Law of Wealth is the same for everyone - Wallace D. Wattles
No man is kept poor because opportunity has been taken away from him; because other people have monopolised the wealth, and have put a fence around it…. This is the introduction to this lesson as written in the book and my one sentence summary of this chapter is - competition is borne of scarcity and creativity is borne of abundance, opportunity is withheld the mind that sees limits. At a glance we might disagree with the author for as we can see around us or may have experienced personally, we’ve missed opportunities because of someone or some entity. However, upon further study we soon learn that he is right.
Most people tend to blame circumstances, the government, the weather, a market being saturated, almost everything but themselves for their misfortune but in this chapter the author talks about how opportunity is in abundance if only we will do things and act in a Certain Way. The Certain way was discussed in last week’s newsletter and here the author draws on this again in relation to opportunities. You can begin working towards what you want in the exact place you find yourself now. Often we look at having everything in order thinking, when I have the certification, or save up more money or when the kids leave home, the list is endless but that is our own way of putting limits on what we really desire.
When people experience a breakthrough, to the onlooker they might think that person was just lucky but I have learnt that being lucky is the unmotivated persons justification for someone who persisted and met an opportunity. They took responsibility exactly where they were, with the conditions they had and worked till they got rewarded. Noting that I am in charge of my destiny and my lack of understanding of how the laws of the universe work and my fear of the unknown were all that was holding me back, I realised I had the power to change things by taking full responsibility. When I first understood the principle behind the statement - Opportunity isn’t monopolised - I started thinking as a creator rather than a competitor.
See we all find ourselves in very systematic societies where the stages of life are more or less laid out for one when they are born. Go to school, get a degree in specific sectors like medicine, engineering etc. then become a doctor or engineer and those who are not able to afford become workers in factory plants and in other menial jobs. What if this wasn’t the only route to making it in life, what if formal education wasn’t the only education to creating a fulfilling career and life? From time to time we have seen that people with less education have become more influential than many with very good degrees and one might put this to luck but is it? These people like my mentor Bob Proctor or Tony Robins (you can read about their stories online), found themselves in positions where majority of people will throw in the towel and blame everyone else but they did not. They took responsibility for where they were and where they wanted to go.
They didn’t start out knowing exactly how they will get there, they started with why and where they wanted to get the things they desired. They didn’t see opportunity as being withheld from them, no they focused on where they could better themselves and thus better their little corner of the world. When we think of opportunities from a place of scarcity or envy we become competitive and that hinders the flow of creativity but if we think in terms of abundance we start asking how we too can contribute and share in the wealth. For in every situation one finds themselves in, there is the opportunity to do or be something better if we are open to find out what there is. I found my passion for baking when I was at my lowest point of applying for jobs after my masters, but there was no way I was going to make this my main career. No, not after all those years of education however, as time went on and I kept practicing my craft I started getting orders for my cakes and even set up a small business for it. This to date it is one of the things I love doing and still a little side business.
My point is, had I thought of all the things I needed to get to become a certified baker I would have stopped at my first try but in the midst of unemployment I was presented with an idea which I worked on at becoming better everyday and eventually met opportunities where I have catered for christenings, engagements, weddings and corporate events. I wasn’t thinking of how I had to be the next Martha Stewart to get orders for my cakes, I was thinking how I could make better tasting cakes that were light, fluffy and just right for my customers. That put me in the way of opportunities. So I can attest that opportunities aren’t monopolised at least not when we decide to get out of the structured systems and start thinking what can I utilise in my current situation to help me get better and to the place I desire? So I would like to leave you with this thought to ponder over - Do you think the law of wealth is the same for everyone?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this lesson so kindly do share in the comments.
Journal prompt: How can I begin to start working towards the things I desire in my current situation?
Beautiful read. Really encouraging.