Are Americans Gullible?

In a recent issue of Forbes Magazine, publisher, Rich Karlgaard, wrote a very interesting article on the “Dark Side of Optimism” in which he spoke derogatorily about American entrepreneurs and self-help gurus. An entrepreneur myself, I was curious to read what he had to say. His premise? Americans are gullible for the quick fix and super-promises that are regularly being delivered to them—plastic surgery, swift divorce options, record-breaking (drug-enhanced) athletic achievements or unbelievable financial gains. He suggests that many Americans are naïve—that we’d rather believe lies than live the truth.

His opinion couldn’t have been timelier. It was recently suggested to me that Little Changes Big Results™ is neither earth shattering nor revolutionary. Though it is a basic life-style philosophy, full of simple and practical ways for people to make little changes in their daily lives, it doesn’t deliver big results--at least not fast enough.

Perhaps the real dilemma for most Americans is not how quickly we can change, but what we consider to be big results?

Ask any addict how they achieved decades of sobriety and they will tell you that sobriety is earned one day at a time, one determined choice at a time, one week at a time over consecutive months and years. Sobriety is a big result, but it can be lost with one poor decision.

Ask a college graduate how they achieved their degree and each one will tell you that it took commitment, hard work, showing up, brainpower, and attention to details and deadlines. A college degree is a big result, but it takes years of intention and sacrifice.

Ask a parent of an adult child who is making a contribution to society what it took to raise such a great kid and they won’t tell you it was easy or effortless. They will tell you that it took unlimited conversations about values and morals (that began at a very young age), lots of prayer, consistent role modeling, and personal (especially financial) sacrifice. Raising a great kid in America today is a big result, but it takes time and courage.

Ask any woman who has grown up with the image of super-thin magazine models (that elicited an epidemic of eating disorders) or the lure of plastic surgery as ones preferred method of beautification but chose to maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular exercise, and she’ll tell you she had to exhibit self-control every day. In a nation where obesity and diabetes are escalating, a healthy, naturally aging body is a big result, but it takes daily discipline to make oneself workout, eat less, and accept ones age and genetics.

Ask any monogamous couple, who has been married for over two or three decades, how they stayed faithful for so many years and they will tell you that it was a decision they made to the person they married to honor each other (and their commitment) all the days of their lives. Marriage to the same person is a big (actually, it is a huge) result, especially if you have kids, but it requires wholehearted love for another more than for oneself.

I’m all about BIG RESULTS. In fact, I’m living proof that little changes add up to decades of sobriety, marriage, parenting, weight maintenance, and more education. So if those are the big results you desire, then join me here weekly for simple, practical advice on how to get what you want with the life you’ve been given.

Be encouraged,

Becky

PS I'd love to hear your thoughts...please comment on this blog!