III on Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad

We continue with the third part of our writing series on Robert Kiyosaki's book Rich Dad Poor Dad.

"My fathers' intellectual approaches were completely opposite to each other. One of my dads taught me that the rich should take care of the less fortunate because they pay more taxes, while the other dad taught that taxes are a punishment for those who produce and a reward for those who do not. One of my dad's advice was ‘Work hard so you can find a job in a good company,’ while the other's recommendation was ‘Work hard to be able to buy a good company.’ One of my fathers would say, ‘I am not rich because you exist,’ while the other would say, ‘I need to be rich because you exist.’ One encouraged talking about money and work at the dinner table, while the other prohibited talking about money during meals. One would advise, ‘Don’t take risks when it comes to money,’ while the other would say, ‘Learn risk management.’ One believed that our house was our biggest investment and most valuable asset. The other argued, ‘My house is my liability; if a person sees their house as their biggest investment, they are in trouble.’ Both of my dads paid their bills on time, but one would pay on the very first day, while the other would wait until the last day. One dad would try to save a few dollars, while the other would create investment opportunities. One thought he should rely on the company he worked for or the government to meet his personal care and needs, while the other believed that all responsibility lies with the individual and that financial competence must be gained. Even after my rich dad went bankrupt and was broke, he never stopped seeing himself as rich because, in his view, there was a difference between being poor and being bankrupt; bankruptcy was temporary, while poverty was eternal."

Some work for money…

I wanted to present this part of the book as it is because, as can be seen from these examples, people shape their lives according to their thoughts. Our perspectives have a greater impact on our lives than we think. We have all heard these examples from our surroundings. Just by reading this part, you can derive many messages for yourself. Even the last day payment of bills reflects the differences in people's perspectives. While one person may feel uncomfortable with being in debt, another can evaluate the bill money by putting it in daily interest. The bill amount may seem funny or absurd because it is very low, but remember that these are representative examples. While some people work for money and are in a hurry to do everything on time, others make the money work for themselves.

Money is a form of power; it can make a person happy to a certain extent, but what is stronger than that is financial education. Money comes and goes, but knowing how money works allows a person to always be wealthy, to get back up from where they fell, and to recover more quickly. Don't forget that your small tactics can also contribute to the exponential growth of your balance.

Two Different Approaches on Cost

"I cannot afford it" and "How can I afford it" represent two different approaches in the same context. In the first, there is mental laziness, while in the second, one begins to gain flexibility and develop through mental gymnastics.

As the ancients said, change begins with language. The perspective you approach a subject from is quite critical. By saying "I cannot afford it," you not only perpetuate the existing problem but also avoid generating solutions. On the other hand, the question "How can I afford it?" prompts individuals to think about the issue rather than take the easy way out. For example, let’s imagine you find a very reasonably priced investment property. At this point, the person who says "I cannot afford it" is missing out on a great opportunity by cutting the problem off. Meanwhile, the question "How can I afford it?" leads the person to consider how they can find money. They might take out a loan from the bank, borrow from friends, sell some of their investments, or create a promissory note with a guarantor. As can be seen, it is possible to think of many solutions even in a short time. Cutting things off and not facing the problem due to existing habits will lead you to have the same structure even after a long time and miss similar opportunities. On the other hand, developing a solution-oriented perspective will keep you open to opportunities and allow you to progress faster on the road to financial freedom.

"One of the reasons for not being able to earn money despite having financial knowledge is the habits we possess. Many emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in our lives are shaped by our habits. These patterns we previously had can also hinder our chances of acquiring new skills and experiences."

We should question our habits that hold us back (. For example, due to the habits brought by four years of undergraduate education, I find myself in the safe zone of being a psychologist ), and we should question how we can step outside the boundaries (. I am a psychologist, but I am not practicing therapy; I focus on behavioral economics and trade psychology ). Approaching the practices and habits in the field from a contrary perspective can also make winning easier because instead of competing in a field where everyone is at war with each other, you can progress by building something on your own in a more untouched area.

Avoiding clichés in thinking

At the same time, remember the paragraph about the habits instilled in you by your family and close environment. The impact of your surroundings on you is much greater than you think. The habits that lead you to become a conservative investor who prefers less risk are likely habits that have been passed down to you from others. Just like the saying "Be a civil servant, have your salary deposited regularly, and live a comfortable life," you may prefer a more routine-based and stable life, choosing to invest without taking risks. On the other hand, if you want to be wealthy, you need to break these molds and strive to improve yourself and push your limits.

"Many people are content to dream of becoming rich while talking about it; what matters is being able to take action at this point. Even trying to do something means you have taken a step in this regard. If you give up, you will continue to remain poor; you must continue your search for how to become rich and not give up on it. Life drags us back and forth; while some give up, others fight. Only a few take their lessons and continue on their path. They allow life to drag them. These few need and want to learn something, and as they learn, they continue on their paths."

A phenomenon that I frequently encounter in my close circle is that everyone dreams of becoming wealthy one day. When it comes to taking action, however, many people complain that the necessary opportunities have not been presented to them, that they do not have time to do research, and that they are too tired to work harder. Those who try and fail are afraid to try again. I have previously emphasized that your life is completely under your control. Therefore, the only person who can free you from your current position is you. If you give up trying, do not learn from your mistakes, and stop seeking opportunities, you will continue to stay where you are. The biggest difference of successful people is that they consistently continue on their path without giving up, accept that the journey of learning is endless, and realize that mistakes play a significant role in their development.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading activity carries risks, and readers should conduct their own research when making decisions.