Work for Respect, Not Status

There is a massive difference between respect and status.

There’s this good ol’ book — Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
It was one of my first books I read about business.

It introduced me to the idea that:

There is a difference between rich and poor that goes beyond money.

Over the years, this idea has become more and more nuanced.

There are “rich” people that don’t have money,
and there are “poor” people that have money.

When I started out, I thought:

Status = Success = the Wealth Generated.

But I learned over time:

You won’t make it if the business is just about earning a lot of money.

A business to me is a way to provide for my family
and be a good steward of what God has given to me.

Here’s the interesting pattern you can work for:

  • You gain respect from the rich by outworking them.
  • You gain status from the poor by outspending them.

The amount and attitude toward your work
will influence your relationships with rich people.

The ability of buying shiny status toys = status from the poor people.
But when you own a Lambo or Rolls Royce, people will think you’re rich and that you’re cool.

It’s about status.

Yet the attitude you bring to your work
will be about your diligence.

This will bring you the respect of those ahead.

As Patrick Bet-David said:

“I am not afraid of someone that outspends me,
I am afraid of the person that outworks me for longer.”

Because outworking means you will stack the imagination through your work ethic.

So it’s better to work for respect than for status.

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