December, 2005:

Just when you thought you were getting ahead and starting to earn some good money comes the news that in the final year of his life, Kerry Packer was earning over a million dollars a day.

This article at News.com.au reveals that Mr Packer, who died on Boxing Day, aged 68, left an estimated $7 billion when he passed away.

Over a million dollars every day? At my current rate of earnings I could bring in a million dollars if I started now and didn’t retire until the age of 75. If Mr Packer had given me just a couple of days of his earnings I’d be set for life.

I can’t say much about Kerry Packer because I never knew him. There have been plenty of people ready to say great things about him over the past few days. They say that he was generous, clever and loyal.

No matter what you thought about Kerry Packer you’ve got to agree that he was a very wealthy man; much wealthier than most of us could ever hope to be. It’s with that in mind that I say we should ‘just give up’ on our own hopes of great wealth.

I’m not saying we should give up on striving for the best or to provide well for our families but if all we are reaching towards is greater wealth, we have very little chance of ever being satisfied. Research shows that those who achieve financial success almost always seek greater and greater wealth. It’s a never ending quest that will never satisfy.

I don’t have a problem with people earning good money or being wealthy but it’s not an end in itself. What are the things that are truly important? Are we investing time in those things? What are our hopes for the year ahead? Are we measuring our goals for 2006 in dollars or relationships?

When New Year’s Day 2007 rolls around what will 2006 say about you? You still have the opportunity to shape 2006. I pray that you’ll build the coming year with the things that matter; the things that last.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: New Year Relationships Wealth Kerry Packer

I found this link at *Blogstar.

You owe it to yourself to follow the link and check it out.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Are you heading off to the sales this week? Everyone seems to be ‘slashing’ prices.

As I was cycling past the Morley Galleria yesterday morning I noticed a flood of cars filling the car park. It’s the same today with lots of people heading off to find a bargain. It seems a whole lot busier than the days before Christmas. I wonder how many people gave out an IOU or two on Christmas Day, promising to buy gifts during the post-Christmas sales.

I wandered down there during my lunch break today to grab something from Coles. I walked past K-Mart and there was a long line of people waiting to exchange Christmas gifts that were the wrong size, wrong colour or just plain wrong.

As I’ve said before, I enjoy getting a bargain as much as anyone but I have no real desire to be crammed in next to thousands of other people, all wanting to be served at once.

I mentioned the best coping strategies for sales last year. If you are venturing into your local shopping centre to make the most of the sales there are just two things to remember.

1. Stay calm amidst the chaos.

2. My shirt size is XL.

Posted by Rodney Olsen