You would think when our brains tell us something is unrealistic, we would believe it. For some reason, that’s not the case. Repeatedly, quick money scams are advertised in newspapers on TV and in magazines. Given their preponderance, it’s clear that enough people have taken the bait off the hook.
What is it that causes so many people to grab for the gold, when there probably isn’t even any copper at the end of the rainbow? It’s got something to do with imagining that we will be the chosen one.
“Who cares that all those other people haven’t won the lottery. This time it will be me.”
Interesting aside on the lottery, BTW, that appeared in the news last week. There was a story that rated the least bang for your buck in terms of return, and the lotteries around the globe were the hands-down winners. Go figure that.
Has it stopped people from playing? Nope.
George Orwell in his great book, “1984,” postulated that in the future (his book was published in 1949) the lottery/legal gambling would be a technique used to keep the masses down. Those who have nothing will take that one shot at winning the big one because they can’t envision improving their lives through hard work, diligence, perseverance and skill.
Because there is something inside us that “wants” to believe something good will come from an investment of our time/resources, we buy into programs that really aren’t good for us. A case in point is a story in the news awhile back on multi-level marketing programs.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but the study on which the story was based indicated that less than1% of the people who get involved in multi-level marketing programs actually make money. Again, this is no surprise. The surprise is that people keep joining multi-level marketing programs because they WANT to believe.
We fake ourselves into thinking the newest version of an organic shampoo will be extra special, and our inherent great sales skills (of which we are all just loaded, aren’t we?) will ensure we make millions by selling it to our neighbors, friends and relatives. We don’t consider that we may lose money or that these programs are out to get you to put money into it (sometimes a lot) before there is a decent payoff.
Most people who participate in multi-level marketing programs lose money not only because they can’t sell, but also because there are start-up costs in terms of buying inventory. The newspaper story said those losses average $1,000-$5,000 per individual.
Who gets that dough? People higher up on the food chain do -- the ones who came up with the “can’t miss” concept. It’s a “can’t miss” for them, but a sure miss for the others who join.
We still join though, drawn by the emotional tug. We believe we can be that one guy or woman who has the gusto, contacts and energy to set up a business that allows us to quit our day job.
I’ve been drawn to the allure, years ago trying to sell Excel telecommunications when the industry was just starting to open up to competition. It made sense, and I got 10-15 people to sign up, but the telecom behemoths sniffed us out, offering irresistible discounts for customers to return to their warm folds, which they did.
It didn’t mean the experiment was a failure but I was lucky not to lose more than some personal time since there was almost no initial investment required. I took it as an inexpensive lesson learned, like many others where something sounds to be good to be true.
Stay off the snake oil unless you really know the business or have the exact skills to profitably drive growth. You may yearn for that monthly check materializing in your bank account, but the reality rarely fits the fantasy. Stay grounded.
What is it that causes so many people to grab for the gold, when there probably isn’t even any copper at the end of the rainbow? It’s got something to do with imagining that we will be the chosen one.
“Who cares that all those other people haven’t won the lottery. This time it will be me.”
Interesting aside on the lottery, BTW, that appeared in the news last week. There was a story that rated the least bang for your buck in terms of return, and the lotteries around the globe were the hands-down winners. Go figure that.
Has it stopped people from playing? Nope.
George Orwell in his great book, “1984,” postulated that in the future (his book was published in 1949) the lottery/legal gambling would be a technique used to keep the masses down. Those who have nothing will take that one shot at winning the big one because they can’t envision improving their lives through hard work, diligence, perseverance and skill.
Because there is something inside us that “wants” to believe something good will come from an investment of our time/resources, we buy into programs that really aren’t good for us. A case in point is a story in the news awhile back on multi-level marketing programs.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but the study on which the story was based indicated that less than1% of the people who get involved in multi-level marketing programs actually make money. Again, this is no surprise. The surprise is that people keep joining multi-level marketing programs because they WANT to believe.
We fake ourselves into thinking the newest version of an organic shampoo will be extra special, and our inherent great sales skills (of which we are all just loaded, aren’t we?) will ensure we make millions by selling it to our neighbors, friends and relatives. We don’t consider that we may lose money or that these programs are out to get you to put money into it (sometimes a lot) before there is a decent payoff.
Most people who participate in multi-level marketing programs lose money not only because they can’t sell, but also because there are start-up costs in terms of buying inventory. The newspaper story said those losses average $1,000-$5,000 per individual.
Who gets that dough? People higher up on the food chain do -- the ones who came up with the “can’t miss” concept. It’s a “can’t miss” for them, but a sure miss for the others who join.
We still join though, drawn by the emotional tug. We believe we can be that one guy or woman who has the gusto, contacts and energy to set up a business that allows us to quit our day job.
I’ve been drawn to the allure, years ago trying to sell Excel telecommunications when the industry was just starting to open up to competition. It made sense, and I got 10-15 people to sign up, but the telecom behemoths sniffed us out, offering irresistible discounts for customers to return to their warm folds, which they did.
It didn’t mean the experiment was a failure but I was lucky not to lose more than some personal time since there was almost no initial investment required. I took it as an inexpensive lesson learned, like many others where something sounds to be good to be true.
Stay off the snake oil unless you really know the business or have the exact skills to profitably drive growth. You may yearn for that monthly check materializing in your bank account, but the reality rarely fits the fantasy. Stay grounded.
