197 – July 16
“To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent, that is to triumph over old age.”—Thomas B. Aldrich
“Getting old isn’t what it’s cracked up to be,” complained the aging rich and powerful businessman. “What’s left of my hair is gray and I have aches and pains I never had before. They never told me that.”
“Of course they told you that,” said the wise woman.
“No, they told me I’d have money, power and prestige,” he replied.
“Well, you do have that,” she said.
“But it doesn’t matter!” he cried.
“Ah,” she said. “That’s what they never told you.”
Today’s Affirmation:
“I am young at heart, rich in life experience, and loving in spirit.”
This is the Tao of Chellie in a nutshell:
- There are two kinds of people in life “Your People” and “Not Your People.” Anyone who mentions age, looks, height, weight, or any other non-relevant issue for not hiring you is “Not Your People.” Here’s the four-letter word to use in this situation: “Next!”
- Yes, there’s a lot of discrimination in business and no, the entry level jobs don’t pay well. This is the way it was when I was acting and clerking in the 70s and 80s and I’m hearing the same complaints from people now, so this probably isn’t going to change anytime soon. There are always perky young things who are willing to
do anything for a foot in the door and when supply exceeds demand it depresses prices. That’s basic economics. Your only chance is to find an enlightened company that needs and values your particular skills – and is willing to pay top dollar for them – or create your own company. - Women need to be more aggressive in the marketplace. This doesn’t mean you have to be a ball-busting screamer, but you have to learn to SELL. When I owned my bookkeeping service, I complimented the team regularly. Every time I did, within an hour, all the men who worked for me were in my office asking for a raise. None of the women did. I wondered why that was–I think it’s because in school you got good grades and pats on the back for doing a good job. So when we get that in business, it feels natural. We just missed the part about having money attached and that we have to ask for it or it is withheld.
- There are two tracks in every business – administrative and sales. The heads of companies always come from the sales track, never the administrative. If you really want to make money, find something you believe in and get a job selling it on commission. You will learn how to create money really fast! Getting someone to hire you and pay you the money you want is a sale. Asking for a raise is a sale. Asking your kid to clean up his room or your spouse to go with you to the movie you want to see – those are sales, too, and women are selling all the time. It’s a natural skill – just use it to make money and get the job you want.
- Success is a percentage game. There will always be a lot more “Nos” than “Yeses” along the way to success. It took me a year and a half to find a publisher for my first book, but I didn’t care how many “Nos” I got, I was determined to find a publisher who believed in me and my work, and eventually I did. The “Nos” don’t
matter–only the “Yeses” do. You just keep going until the “Yes” arrives! - AGE: I started my workshop business at age 42, got a publisher for my my first book “The Wealthy Spirit” at age 54 and my second book “Zero to Zillionaire” at age 58. My third book, “From Worry to Wealthy” was published when I was 67. Now I’m 71 and I’m still not finished. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too old – or too young – to do what you want!
Are there people who will discount me or discredit me because of my age? Yes. Do I care? No.
