Double Review: Unbreakable & Rich Dad Poor Dad
I decided that with all the books I read on understanding human psychology, it was about time I deviated and read a couple on better understanding money.
It seems to be one of those areas that ‘spiritual’ people ignore, or say things like “money isn’t so important to me”. This is great, but unless you plan on selling your worldly possessions and moving to a commune, or a cave in the mountains in Tibet, it won’t get you far. Not only that, but I’m a firm believer that the real work comes from existing in the real world. So if we are going to live in this world, we may as well do our best to prepare for it.
Unbreakable by Anthony Robbins and Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki are two books by quite possibly the most successful financial authors on the planet. While approaching the topic from two vastly different angles, the knowledge is somewhat similar and the combination gives you a well-rounded intro into the world of financial abundance.
In Unshakable Tony takes us through a series of interviews with highly successful businessmen such as Warren Buffet, offering us insights on how the truly financially successful operate. While not all of us aspire to be multi-billionaires, there are some great take homes on how to enhance your financial situation. Tony Robbins breaks down superannuation funds, the share market and the property market into concepts that those without any previous knowledge can understand, and the results are both fascinating and concerning.
If you want to be certain that you’ll never lose money in the financial markets, you can keep your savings in cash – but then you’ll never stand a chance of achieving financial freedom. As Warren Buffett says, “We pay a high price for certainty.” – Anthony Robbins
“Remember: wherever your focus goes, your energy flows. When you put your entire focus on something that really matters to you, when you can’t stop thinking about it every day, this intense focus unleashes a burning desire that can help you obtain what might otherwise be out of reach. Here’s what’s going on beneath the surface: a part of your brain called the reticular activating system is activated by your desire, and this mechanism draws your attention to whatever can help you achieve your goal.” – Anthony Robbins
Rich Dad Poor Dad spends no time in breaking down those Middle mentalities, money management and excuses like “I don’t earn enough”. He teaches taking greater risks for larger rewards and that it's better to become a jack of all trades, as opposed to a master of one. He preaches the importance of becoming educated in trading, the property market and other methods of gaining assets, with a focus on making your money work for you. Robert truly believes that the only person getting in the way of financial success is you and that in order to create real financial abundance you have to put in the effort knowing full well it won’t come overnight.
“In school, we learn that mistakes are bad, and we are punished for making them. Yet, if you look at the way humans are designed to learn, we learn by making mistakes. We learn to walk by falling down. If we never fell down, we would never walk.” ― Robert T. Kiyosaki
“As I said, I wish I could say it was easy. It wasn’t, but it wasn’t hard either. But without a strong reason or purpose, anything in life is hard. ” ― Robert T. Kiyosaki
The two books combined give you a good introduction into money management, and while both suggest you take some courses, whether they are free online or paid workshops, they definitely break the ice and give you some concepts and ideas to get you going.
“Excessive fear and self-doubt that were the greatest detractors of personal genius.” ― Robert T. Kiyosaki
