Tuesday Tip: Considering Interests 

Lately, I have tuned into radio and tv shows and heard about the top 1% of wealthy people in the world. During some of the shows, I've heard it said that others could do the same if they worked harder. I'm always astounded by this idea as so much depends on a person's interests, talents, personality, etc. and, most importantly, the situation into which one is born.

In the field of career development and career counseling, many of us use an assessment, the Strong Interest Inventory ®. A practitioner has to be qualified to administer this assessment. I was certified in the inventory years ago as a new career counselor; it is still one of my favorite tools.

Someone in the top 1% of wealth who has "earned" money leveraging entrepreneurial and business knowledge would score in the interest area known as enterprising.  People in this category are persuaders and influencing leaders who take more risks in the business world. Enterprising is one of six categories on the Strong Interest Inventory®.   Of course, there are people with other interest areas -  sports, entertainment, inventing, to name a few - who also achieve wealth. Not everyone has, in fact many, many people throughout the world don't have, enterprising interests. Many people are not interested in the business and politics of the world. It takes all types to "make this world" work.  And, many people making the world go round are not interested in business, politics, and leading.

So, I'm suggesting not to generalize and say "just work harder", when there is so much more to consider.

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For some information on the wealthiest in the world, here's an article in the Atlantic Monthly:

The World's 85 Richest People Are as Wealthy as the Poorest 3 Billion: What exactly does that mean? Derek Thompson, Jan 21, 2014.  http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/01/the-worlds-85-richest-people-are-as-wealthy-as-the-poorest-3-billion/283206/

 

And, for information on the Strong Interest Inventory:

https://www.cpp.com/products/strong/index.aspx

~ In the midst of your work and life and interests, I wish you a good and productive week.

Marianne   408-295-6656