READERS’ CORNER
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Author: Robert Kiyosaki with Sharon Lechter
Publishers: Warner Business Books
They say it’s a plastic world. But we can conveniently tag the present world as a green world. Money. We work to earn and this round about sums up our entire life of a good forty years. But as they say “Money is a good servant but a bad master”, it’s time we turn the tide and ask money to take its menial position. But how?
Rich Dad Poor Dad to rescue. Till recent past I thought my salary will bring me earnings. How about my earnings bringing me earnings and more earnings? Make Money work for you. This book is a fantastic guide from which young adults, parents, finance gurus can draw a leaf out.
By the means of drawing parallel conclusions from diametrically opposite school of thoughts the author distinguishes (for the so called “financially illiterate”) the way in which you can work for money or else have money work for you. It teaches the reader the common misconceptions about assets and liabilities and that this so “minor” a differentiation can make or break your financial balance in life- help build dreams or devastate realities. It gives tips that one must follow while considering investments, directing cash flows, reaping benefits.
With the help of illustrations of a simple balance sheet the author has helped readers understand why assets like home, loans etc. that our funded from credit should be treated as liabilities. The pictorial representation makes it easy to understand finance and our spending-saving pattern. The simplicity of the book lies in the deep understanding of seemingly effortless concepts having great implications. The author relates everyday situations of common man to the “rat race” which he describes as a vicious circle to be caught in and from which predicament seems a very faraway place. The brilliant yet lucid style of writing makes it even more riveting to read.
In case it ever crossed your mind that your present spending is not allowing you to save for secure days and rainy days then pick up this book and read and more importantly learn cause as the author says that all you need to recognise is a difference between assets and liabilities to unlock the gate to riches!
Who Moved My Cheese?
Author: Dr. Spencer Johnson
The story of Who Moved My Cheese? was created by Dr. Spencer Johnson to help him deal with a difficult change in his life. It showed him how to take his changing situation seriously but not take himself so seriously.
'Who Moved My Cheese?' is a simple parable that reveals profound truths. It is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters that live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life - whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money or a possession, health or spiritual peace of mind. And the maze is where you look for what you want - the organization you work in, or the family or the community you live in.
The four amusing characters in the story are the two mice Sniff and Scurry and the little people Hem and Haw.
Sometimes we may act like
Sniff – who sniffs out change early Or
Scurry – who scurries into action Or
Hem - who denies and resists change as he fears it will lead to something worse Or
Haw- who learns to adapt in time when he sees changing can lead to something better.
Whatever part of us we choose to use, we all share something in common; a need to find our way in the maze and succeed in changing times. Sniff and Scurry possess simple brains and good instincts, searched for the hard nibbling cheese they liked. Hem and Haw used their complex brains, filled with many beliefs and emotions to search for the different kind of cheese they liked to make them feel happy and successful. So when this foursome met with a shortage of cheese Sniff and Scurry did not wait for long. They rushed through the dark, confusing maze in search for the cheese. But Hem and Haw waited for long to find out the reasons for the disappearance of the cheese from the cheese station. Sniff and scurry would discover the cheese of their taste after a long hunt. Haw would try to cajole the inert and pessimistic Hem to go out of the cheese station to find the cheese. But Hem would not be encouraged and Haw sets out in search of his cheese through the maze. After a long chase he would find the cheese of his interest in another cheese station. Haw would meet the happy and lively Sniff and Scurry who had reached the cheese-station earlier.
Ideas from the story- Cheese makes you happy
Change happens ( They keep moving the cheese)
Anticipate change ( Get ready for the cheese to move )
Monitor change (Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.)
Adapt to change quickly
This book teaches us to
Anticipate change
Adapt to change quickly
Enjoy change
Be ready to change quickly again and again.