Money EARNED vs. Money LEARNED

Are you working a square job (widely considered as a 9 to 5)? Have you uttered the phrases; “It pays the bills” OR “It’s a living” OR “I’m just happy to even have a job”???

Are you JUST earning a paycheck? While there is nothing wrong with that, it is indicative of a level of dependency on others (i.e. your employer). In reality we ALL have an employer of some sort. Even a street hustler has customers who he is dependent on to make his living. Of course earning money is essential for survival but it becomes increasingly difficult to create WEALTH because we are so enthralled with making the living we can’t build on it. Most working class individuals are generally making ends meet. This way of life can keep you from learning your craft/hustle if you are busy working for someone else’s company – just to pay someone else’s company (utility, mortgage, and insurance, etc.). All of the above stated would be considered money earned.

Back in the day the breadwinner would pass down skill sets & information to his children to “keep it in the family”. Businesses were mostly family owned. They literally passed the hustle along to the next generation so that more of their own kind would benefit from the rewards the hustle would bring. Their concern was more for the craft instead of the cash – because if you knew the craft you could always make the cash. Family businesses also had the benefit of gaining knowledge through actual experience of managing the money as well. If the family mishandled the finances they had to close shop so they were forced to make it work. This all would be considered money learned.

There’s an old adage that says:

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”

It is my opinion that in today’s economy you need both dynamics for longevity: Money learned will help you acquire, maintain and keep the wealth while money earned will help you attract more opportunities to stabilize the hustle. Being an employee does have the benefits of structure and you can soak in that structure for your own company endeavors. Historically, family businesses have been the backbone of the American economy. Yet conventional wisdom says that family businesses are out and big corporations are in. Despite the rising influence of big corporations, family operations continue to be a powerful economic force. In fact, many of the corporations themselves are family companies (Wal-Mart, TRUMP Int’l to name a few).

A fantastic example of money learned would be Jaden Smith. It can be said that Will Smith has his whole fam in on the Hollywood Hustle and is capitalizing nicely as a family business. Just about everyone in his family is working on multimillion dollar situations. Admirable to say the least.

I wanted to touch on this to make a statement to today’s Urban Renaissance Man – realize you are a business and your network (family & friends) is an extension of said business. The reason today’s family structure is failing is that we have become less worried about our business and more worried about our leisure. Men are so concerned with living the single life they are missing the mark of building their brand and cultivating an empire. Good business breeds greater leisure. Chasing females around Facebook and through the clubs will only be a warm memory as you enter your 40’s highlighting receipts at the exit door of your local Wal-Mart.

Take time to learn a skill and cultivate it. Don’t just pass on the attitude of a great employee to your family…teach them the HUSTLE. One of the fundamental beliefs some of the world’s wealthiest people share is that you can’t do it alone…you need family, friends and likeminded people on your team….*be about it or be without it brethren.

*Quoted from Earl “E-40″ Stevens

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