Page 24 - Midas Touch

I had hit the wall. I could not go any further. I could feel my life forces
draining out of me as I asked myself, “How could I have been so stupid?”
over and over and over again.

Rich dad had repeatedly warned me about doing business with John and
Stanley. He often called them “clowns” or “con men.” The problem was

that I did not want to listen to him, so I ignored his words and warnings
about John and Stanley. Rich dad said, “A con man can only con you when
you want something for nothing.”

Sitting alone in my small hotel room in Chicago, I began to let rich dad’s
words sink in. I began to ask myself, “What did I want for nothing?” If I
could figure that out, I could find out why I had been conned.

I wish I could say I found a definitive answer. But so far, over the years,
the answer I found for myself is, “I’m lazy. That’s why I am conned.”

A few examples of how laziness contributes to being conned include:

Employees who believe in job security
Voters who vote for politicians who promise to look out for

the voters’ best interests
Investors who believe their financial planners’ advice to

invest for the long term in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
People who believe that getting good grades in school

assures them of job security for life
Desperate people who fall for pitches like, “Buy my book

and become a millionaire overnight,” or “Take this pill and
lose 10 pounds without exercising”
Anyone who believes the following statements to be true:

“We don’t need money. We can live on love.”
(As long as you live with your parents.)
“I’m going to win the lottery.” (Or get struck

by lightning.)

“My husband and I have the highest of
integrity.” (This claim cost me millions.)