Blog Post
Can Anyone Become a Millionaire ?
- Date: Thursday 7th May 2009
The other day, a friend started a lengthy conversation by claiming that he could never be a millionaire because he wasn’t very good with money. Now, I personally believe that you don’t have to be a financial genius to make a million.
As an entrepreneur, I believe I have the ability to think outside the box; spotting, for example, opportunities that others don’t. Perhaps, too, I take risks that no one else would even consider and get the benefit of that basic business principle – the higher the risk the higher the return. I also relish a sense of accomplishment and enjoy the financial rewards that come with it. Some people say that I was born to be a millionaire and in some ways this may be true. However I believe that I was born to be an entrepreneur and along the way I made a few million.
You can certainly learn some entrepreneurial skills; so I believe millionaires can be made as well as born. In my opinion a little bit of talent can go a very long way! Take thinking outside the box; here’s a simple exercise you can do that will help you to develop that skill.
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Tip from Shaf - Thinking outside the box
Take a simple business decision that you have to make. You could use writing your company’s or your team’s slogan as an example. Think of what comes immediately to you and then reject that thought; everyone will think of that. Now find an alternative. It will be better and only clever people will think of it. Now reject that and rack your brains to think of a third approach. Now you’re thinking outside the box and coming up with an idea or decision that is unique to you.
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Recently former Tesco trainee manager Mark Radcliffe emerged as eBay's second individual UK millionaire. He started an eBay shop with two hundred pounds savings ten years ago. Ebay (if there really is anyone who hasn’t heard of it) is an online marketplace with over two hundred million registered users worldwide. Over twenty million of those users are based in the UK.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/5002196/Second-eBay-millionaire-emerges-from-recession.html
This type of business would be easy to replicate and make successful. 70% of households in the UK have a personal computer according to the OECD; the number of people shopping on-line is growing some ten times faster than the rise in retail spending and there is a shed load of information on the quality of products and services that suppliers provide. All this adds up to the fact that entrepreneurial ideas must include their on-line access strategy.
And it’s not just personal. The commercial equivalent of clearing out the attic and selling stuff at car boot sales and on e-bay is finally getting round to doing something about getting rid of unwanted stock gathering dust in your warehouse. People are looking for alternative ways of doing this using a rapidly growing industry called reverse logistics. Companies like CPM Ltd will turn your problem stock into cash and they do it fast. It’s a great service focused on supplying rapidly expanding web site’s and ebay powersellers – www.cpmltd.uk.com;
Going back to my conversation with my friend. I suggested a wager. I was willing to bet that I could mentor him into achieving success. Using exactly the same format I was confident that I could I make him a millionaire within two years. My friend politely declined the offer and dinner conversation progressed to a different topic. However I still firmly believe that you don’thave to be a financial genius to make a million.
If you think you can do it. You can.
I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.
Hi Shaf Just been reading your coluimn in the sun newspaper and googled you and ended up here what a great blog!!
you should write more stuff like this
Just wanted to drop you a line to say, I enjoy reading your site. I thought about starting a blog myself but don't have the time. Oh well maybe one day.... :)
I'm sure many of you are like me and one of the first things you do in the morning is head here and check out the new post. Along with seeing the new posts, I'm also always checking out the blog roll rss feed and watching them grow, or shrink sometimes. In one of my past ...but all in all excellent site. Keep it up!
brilliant blog very thought provoking
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post!
what a great site and informative posts, I will add a backlink and bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!
Cool site, love the info. I do a lot of research online on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I'm glad I found your blog. Thanks, A definite great read...:)
I'm so glad I found this site...Keep up the good work
Great site...keep up the good work.
Great question and some great answers. The first step to making a million is to believe you can make it. Millionaires have a can-do mentality and a strong desire for success. If you can't see yourself as a millionaire you may never be one. If you think you can do it, then you are already half way there. Believe in yourself, make a plan, get good advice from people that are there. Talk to successful people, learn from them, replicate their qualities. You are the sum average of the 5 people that you most associate with so choose your friends and colleagues wisely as they will be a great factor in your mindset and your success.
I agree too but something you forgot to mention was that it doesnt happen overnight...
Hey, I'll take your wager, that you can make me a millionaire in Two years...
Hi Mr Rasul, I also agree with you, i firmly believe, if one.. works hard enough, and really wants it bad.. There is nothing you cant achieve, its only matter of time.. I'm no where near being a millionaire, but using my initiative and making the most of my situation and having the that drive, that urge, that passion, and the working endless hours (wife not too happy about!..lol).. i will one day inshallah.. Be a millionaire. Can i also say, its always very refreshing to see a Asian person doing so well in mainstream media, it gives people like me the drive to succeed, knowing if they do it.. So can "I".. Keep up the good work, as its always a pleasure to read what you have to say.. very insightful.. Thanks, A fan : Imran L From Birmingham