Gurus Rarely Practice What They Preach
So which came first? The chicken or the egg? The age old question as it relates to financial gurus is a question of controversy.
I recently spent an hour watching CNBC’s “The Millionaire Inside” which had 4 “experts” touting their advice to an eager and impressionable middle-class audience. One of the four experts was Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best selling book “Rich Dad Poor Dad”. I read this book years ago and do think it is a worthwhile read for those striving to hit a Fastlane. I do, however, have to voice my umbrage to the illusion being perpetrated.
What concerns me about Robert Kiyosaki is this: He is perceived to be a financial expert by millions. I beg to differ.
During the show, Robert Kiyosaki braggadociously flashed his American Express Centurion Card to audience. This card is also known as the “Black Card“. Personally, I refer to the card as the “Rapper Card” as it is likened to be brandished by high profile rappers and entertainers. The Black Card is the credit card with Rolls Royce like status — in order to be eligible for the card, you need to spend $300,000 yearly. I also have a Black Card and it is quite the status symbol — like taking your Lamborghini into a restaurant or wearing a $200,000 timepiece.
So fast forward further into the segment and Robert drops a line about owning a Lamborghini.
I also own a Lamborghini so I found these expositions of extravagance ironic, yet disingenuous. Why? Isn’t Robert Kiyosaki just displaying the fruits of his teachings? Yes and no.
Yes – Robert is an example of building a cash-flowing asset that is worth millions. That is Fastlane. But here is the NO and it poses the question of the decade for Mr. Kiyosaki:
Which came first? Your black card and your Lamborghini? Or your book? I don’t know the answer but I will make a surefire speculation. Robert’s best selling book came first — then came the Black Card and the Lamborghini. One gave way to the other. If true, what does this tell you?
Could Robert have afforded these icons of status “pre-book”? Or, did the process of selling books give him this opportunity? Things that make ya go “hmmmmmmmm”. I’d say Robert isn’t an expert in finance or real estate, but an expert in selling books, tapes, seminars, and games.
Pick a guru. Any guru. Now speculate on that guru’s net worth. Then speculate on how much money they actually earned selling books and how much they earned practicing what they sell. I will bet you the ratio is at least 20:1. If your guru is worth $50 million, I’d guess $45 million was from book sales, not the strategy being espoused.
This makes Robert an expert in marketing books and tapes — by all means, he is an expert to ME. I should listen to him. I am aspiring to write a book and sell it. It doesn’t make him an expert to you it makes him an expert to me — but only to a specific discipline that made him rich – and that is selling books.
As for my book … my book will be AFTER the Black Card and AFTER the Lamborghini. The strategies I disclose in my book gave me the financial resources to possess these items – a total recipe. I will not use my book to buy my first Lamborghini. I will not use my book to make me eligible for the Black Card. I have them and I want to tell you how I got them — I won’t sell you the slowlane while I get richer in the Fastlane.
FASTLANE DISTINCTION
Book writing is Fastlane and the guru’s know it. I know it and now you know it.
Whether I sell 10 books or 1 million, my book is a product of what I do — you can be assured that I write about a true Fastlane strategy — not another dog-and-pony show galloping the greased and inclined slowlane. Preach what you write … not get rich off it.
Peace,
MJ
And Stop The Prostitution of Monday Through Friday!
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