Tuesday 23 July 2013

Low probability of success; high demand

As a followup on my previous post: The Art of Goal Setting,

the practical manifestation can be observed as follows:


The more limited the places and the harder it is to get in, the more we desire to apply to that primary school, faculty, or university. If we can help it, we do our best to avoid the anyone and everyone can get in learning institutions...

Hundreds and thousands apply to join reality TV talent shows - all for a shot of their dreams - knowing full well that only a few will emerge the "winner".

Why are there long queues to buy Toto especially when the top prize has snowballed? Despite the great odds against us, it's precisely that which attracts us! Imagine striking first prize only to realise we have to share it with 1,000 other prize winners... Hard to strike is better right?


This is all good as everyone goes in with eyes wide open.

But something strange happens when it comes to speculation. I use this word precisely to demonstrate when we substitute it with words like investing or trading, somehow we will park  our common sense at our homes. 

Proof?

How then do you explain why people believe the spin at seminars when snake oil salespersons say if you follow their easy to follow steps, anyone and everyone can emerge as winners?

If you have attended these "free" previews, you would know what I mean.

I would have thought alarm bells would be ringing out loud!

I mean if anyone and everyone could do it, shouldn't the payout be something similar to "minimum wage"? 


I am not promoting materialism. For people who have discovered spirituality, material possessions are no longer as important as they used to be.

Many do talk about about "giving up" or "removing clutter" in their lives - that's another alternative path to financial freedom - consume less; want less.

Guess what? Precisely! Only a minority can achieve this simplicity in their lives.

It's definitely not anyone and everyone.



 
 

  





14 comments:

  1. before anyone say money is evil, he should posses tons of it. otherwise, how can he know?

    but most people say money is evil cos they lack of it, make sense?

    same for those who say they are not into materialistic and just want a simple life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. coconut,

      Wise words indeed.

      We should watch it's not a case of sour grapes...

      That's why it's good to check the context and perspective of the speaker.

      Delete
    2. that is how one person can develop false believes until they no longer know the actual state. they brain wash themselves.

      Delete
  2. bare necessities. no frills. l prefer moderation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Money Honey,

      I like moderation - not too hot; not too cold.

      As for bare necessities and no frills, I'll try to avoid it, where possible.

      Moderation ;)

      Delete
  3. By chanting non-stop one or few testimonials can turn low probability of success into high demand.

    Good marketing to get you to the preview and then conned by sweet talkers into high demand.

    In money world, there is no such thing commonsense.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW,

      To develop ourselves, it's best to avoid average and the majority.

      But natural herd instincts makes most of us seek the "perceived safety" of the majority.

      If everyone is doing it; it must be safe. If anyone can do it, it must be suitable for me...

      Delete
  4. Hacks! When you reach my age, you will find that 2 meals a day and a can of beer is too much already. You need to cut down to watch your health. And my car seldom moves out of the car-park. So get a bigger better car after all you only live once? Eat more and more forget about your health? Maybe to some people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. temperament,

      You brought up an interesting point.

      If you are reading at what you wrote above in your 40s and 20s, what would be your reaction?

      We all morph and change according to our different life stages.

      Yet life has it's ironies. A person may be austere and frugal in his twilight years; but is heavy into "investing" equities and properties.

      If this person does not need the extra income, what is this "greed" or "desire" for investing "success" for?

      Self-actualisation?

      For the 2nd generation? (Afraid they can't take care of themselves?)

      One last chance for bragging rights? (Beat that relative or classmate you hate?)


      That's why I keep asking why people in their 80s buy Toto?

      Delete
  5. remember the 80s?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A

    where were you back than? did you have fun back then?

    so please encourage your children to have fun too. thats what i told my boy and my girl, go out and have fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. coconut,

      And boys just wanna have ...

      The 80s were a blast!

      Disco, punk, breakdance...

      Lucky I not a parent. Some of us grew up to be exactly like our parents!!!???

      LOL!

      Delete
    2. when we were young, we were let lose, do what we want, our parents don't really care too much which is a good thing.

      now i see parents usually have iron grip over their children, tell them to do this and not that, come home by what time and cannot go here and there! they wanna control their children (but not willing to be control by others).

      sad (for the kids)!

      Delete
    3. remember when we were teens, we seems to know a lot better than our parents, we even teach them what is changing around us and tell them, or should i say advice them what to do!

      now, go and see for yourself. (the parents still think they are number one).

      Delete
    4. coconut,

      That's why it's a good idea to learn from the young - they don't know what cannot be done!

      OK, sometimes we can contribute to the young by poking them to pause and rethink their logic once in a while. It's better than telling them what to do.

      My recent posts are challenging the recent media hype - how can you save a million if you don't earn a million first?

      Those that get it; get it. Does that don't; don't.

      I don't give advice. I merely sing song! LOL!

      Delete

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