…today’s secret…Paper clips and stuff.
Each year Americans buy zillions of paper clips, shopping carts, safety pins, and zippers.
Their uniqueness earned each a patent. Their commonality is they each solved a problem shared by a lot of people.
The paper clip bundles papers together without stapling.
Food gets pushed by the shopping cart instead of being carried.
Safety pins fasten things together with less bleeding.
And zippers identify who wears the pants in the family.
I made that last one up.
If you want to make a lot of money solve a problem shared by many. The amount of money you make will be determined by the size of the problem being solved and the size of the group buying it.
Talk to someone rich and you’ll discover the money was made by selling something to the non-rich. The rich don’t sell to the rich. The rich hire the non-rich to make something they can sell to the non-rich.
So, about what you do…
The people you have chosen to help have individual problems whose problem affects only that individual. Their solution isn’t patentable and doesn’t transfer to a broader group of people for purchase.
But, you can still make a lot of money solving one-on-one individual problems. However, you need to be on the heart surgeon level.
No, you’re making a lot of difference, not a lot of money like the shopping cart guy.
You are helping people have better tomorrows, one person at a time. It’s noble work. And, it’s messy work.
I’m guessing here that there are times when you question the amount of money you are receiving to clean up those messes in aisle four.
Here’s the deal. We are spending the minutes, hours, and days of our life in the pursuit of something that we are buying with that life.
People want the same three things in life…to earn lots of money, become known for something, and making a difference somewhere. How these three get prioritized creates our human diversity.
When you question yourself about what you are doing in life, just ask yourself how you prioritize these three. What is it that you most want to buy with your life – money, a name, or a difference?
Your heartfelt answer will tell you a lot.
If money and/or name is your top priority, remember to remember the common folk. Those who cater to the rich are called ‘butlers.’ I don’t see you as a butler.
If your answer is more than money, chances are you will enjoy your pursuit immensely, regardless if you achieve it or not.
