“There are elements of both the creative force and the
destructive force within each of us. We oscillate closer to
one or the other based on the quality of our decisions,
outlook on life’s circumstances, and our overall attitude.
We need both these extremes, for we cannot know one
without knowing its absence or opposite.”
…from ‘The Banker Who Saved His Soul’
When I was writing my book I had spend a lot of time reflecting upon the individuals and situations that I dealt with as a banker. Often, I would ask myself what was the difference between someone that was causing harm to themselves and others and someone who was succeeding in their business and positively impacting others. Interestingly, whenever someone is succeeding in their life they tend to support others around them in their success. The opposite is also true, those that are failing in their business or life are a destructive force on those around them. I’ve seen this played out over and over again. Though I can’t prove which is the cause and which is the effect, I do suspect that it is based on one’s attitude, which in turn allows for the decisions to be made which bring about not only their own success, but the success of those around them.
To this day, I don’t usually need to see someone’s business plan or their financial statements to know whether their business is succeeding or failing or whether they themselves are succeeding or failing in their lives. With the development of online social networking sites, such as facebook more and more individuals are revealing their state of mind through their status, wall postings and even pictures. This is often obvious with many individuals pre-occupied with attacking the government, bankers or some other group and blaming the individuals in that group for everything that is wrong in their own life. When you have the time, take a look into some of the ‘conspiracy theorist’ types. Are they happy with their lives? Are they happy with themselves? Are they succeeding in their career or business? Do they even have a job? To me it seems like there is a connection.
The interesting thing is that most people who are destroyers actually think they are creators. Back to the previous example, conspiracy theorists think they are helping the world by criticizing and attacking those they have decided and targeted as being ‘bad’. It amuses me that some individuals even have gone so far to call bankers ‘banksters’ in an attempt to associate them with gangsters and the criminal element. I only refer to this so that you can understand just how deep the negative energy flows within these individuals and how dedicated they are to this negative energy to the point they don’t see how it negatively affects their lives and the lives of those around them.
After contemplating on these observations I ask myself ‘Am I a destroyer or a creator’? This is a great exercise for anyone to go through. For if you can truly answer this question about yourself you will have some insight into why you’re succeeding or failing in your life. Do you dare ask yourself this important question? It is very difficult to be honest with yourself and you may not see the truth. So, here’s a tip on how you can determine if you’re a destroyer or a creator. Make a list of the 5 people that you spend the most time with either in person or communicating with. Ask yourself which ones are likely to criticize situations without a construction solution and which ones are likely to talk about the advantages of situations and/or how to improve on situations. By the way, saying you should put all bankers in jail is not a way to improve on situations. It is simply finding a scapegoat for what you are unhappy with and that is an example of someone who likes to criticize situations without a constructive solution.
Now count how many of your 5 friends are creators. If the number is 4 or 5 then chances are you’re a creator. Having 3 friends who are creators means you can be on either side. Having no friends as creators or only 1 or 2 friends as creators means your most likely a destroyer, not happy and not succeeding the degree you can in your personal life or business.
Here is your chance for a positive contribution to helping yourself and others become creators…simply take the quick poll below.
Good luck creating happiness and prosperity around you, for yourself and our friends!
Baldo Minaudo
President, MetroActive Lifestyle Network
