Weekend Reading
A lot has happened this week. Toyota recalled the Prius for brake problems, compounding to their recall woes. Google announced its social media efforts called Buzz. And Arsenal beat Liverpool by a hair in one of the most uninspiring matches in history.
But I want to direct you to this week's interesting reads that has nothing to do with any of the above mentioned.
- My friend Eric is a Marine. He served in combat not too long ago in Iraq, but now switched roles into reserves so he can go to law school. He wrote some thoughts on his blog about the coming offensive push in Marjah, Afghanistan. He also contemplates the opposite of fear. It's a provocative dive into a Marine's mind and heart.
- Entrepreneur Magazine's columnist George Cloutier has a piece called "Love Your Business More Than Your Family." As the title suggests he advocates for devoting yourself to your business rather than your family if you want to be rich and successful. I think I can write a whole post on this topic, but will leave it up to you to make your opinion regarding it.
- The top 100 entrepreneurs who didn't go to college by Young Entrepreneur. This received the most comments in my Google Reader and so I share it with you. Is college education necessary? Would you let your kid skip college if he had a great idea for a business? All the questions that hit home now, but wouldn't have just one year ago.
That's all for now. Keep reading.
Comments (2)
I am curious to know - What ARE your thoughts about "Love Your Business More Than Your Family"?
For me, I completely disagree with the author's idea that “in the end, the best thing you can do for them is to create the legacy of a business that is thriving and financially sound.”
It is logically true that “if you are not focused--if family, friends and loved ones fill up your busy weekly schedule--you are probably failing to deliver real profits for your company.” Money = time. That’s the attitude my mom has about working 7 days a week. She’d rather be sitting at her barbershop then at home because there is no potential for earnings by sitting at home.
But I keep thinking about Luke 16:13, which states, "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
And there is Ecclesiastes – written by one of the richest, wisest men of all time – concluding that riches (among many other things) are ultimately meaningless.
When the author says, “When you're retired, wealthy, and able to spend Valentine's Day and other special occasions with your kids and grandkids at your winter home in Hilton Head, you'll be glad you devoted so much of your time to your first love: your business.” He is assuming that he will live to see retirement. That his relationships will be good with his kids and they will want to spend time with him. That business is the foundation for a fruitful life. Is he being wise about long-term investment or is he lacking faith?
I think that if you are not willing to spend time with kids while they are growing, and in essence, be “married” to your job – then you should take having a family out of the equation altogether. You are jeopardizing your children’s emotional and social development. “They'd much rather enjoy great financial security than see you struggling for the rest of your life to make money that never comes.” Here’s another news flash: I don’t really know that this statement is even TRUE!
When I first read this article, I felt that I had totally different priorities than this man. I would never put business over family – the relationship-building aspect is way too precious for me. But, perhaps he and I have the same mindset of wanting to provide financial security for our lives… for our families.
Still, I find some of his statements questionable. “That’s what jewelry is for.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
But, the reality is we don't know when life will end. I may consider writing a post about this, but probably after Lent.
Thanks for commenting.
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