Advice from the Ages…and friends

Right now I’m reading The Richest Man in Babylon, a book that Sean gave me for Christmas. In story form, this book teaches you how to aquire, keep and earn more money. The lessons are easy to understand, and for a stubborn financial late bloomer like myself….a little like ice cream.

Here’s the thing. From the first few chapters that I’ve read, the advice is nothing I haven’t already heard before. In a nutshell, saving 10% of what you make, paying yourself first, and not spending as much. But the difference is that reading the story myself has more of a level and neutral playing field than the lessons I’ve heard from my grandfather at the kitchen table with condescending lectures. Sean’s inscription in the book was heartfelt, and this gift could prove to be a lifechanging one.

Isn’t it funny the way we process? I won’t listen to my grandfather, I won’t listen to my friends, and even if Sean would’ve summarized this book to me over coffee I would’ve nodded my head in exasperated agreement “I know, I know…”
But by removing the other person and letting me do it on my own, the potential for action has increased.

It’s cool to share what we’ve learned with friends, but even better when we’ve reached a level of knowing what advice they need and how best to approach them with it.