E1* - If you want to be a billionaire, help a billion people.

"Especially remember, that back of all this exchange of merchandise and personal services may be found an abundance of opportunity to accumulate riches. Here our American freedom comes to one's aid. There is nothing to stop you, or anyone from engaging in any portion of the effort necessary to carry on these businesses. If one has superior talent, training, experience, one may accumulate riches in large amounts. Those not so fortunate may accumulate smaller amounts. Anyone may earn a living in return for a very nominal amount of labor.

So, there you are!

Opportunity has spread its wares before you. Step up to the front, select what you want, create your plan, put the plan into action, and follow through with persistence. 'Capitalistic' America will do the rest. You can depend upon this much - capitalistic America insures every person the opportunity to render useful service, and to collect riches in proportion to the value of the service.

The 'System' denies no one this right, but it does not, and cannot promise something for nothing, because the system, itself, is irrevocably controlled by the law of economics which neither recognizes nor tolerates for long, getting without giving.

The law of economics was passed by Nature! There is no Supreme Court to which violators of this law may appeal. The law hands out both penalties for its violation, and appropriate rewards for its observance, without interference or the possibility of interference by any human being. The law cannot be repealed. It is as fixed as the stars in the heavens, and subject to, and a part of the same system that controls the stars."

I love to read this quote from Napoleon Hill every month because it is a great reality check for me. After I read it, I only have one for myself, "Am I rendering useful service to others (i.e., am I creating value for other people?)?"

My 20-year study of entrepreneurs and economics has convinced me that the only way to create value for myself is to add value to others. If I can do or create something that another person values, then I am rewarded for that. If I don't, I'm not. It really is that simple.

It's a harsh reality, but, by and large, life gives you what you deserve.

I have a friend who exercises religiously and is on a strict diet. As you would imagine, he has a chiseled physique.

I have another friend who never works out and doesn't watch what he eats. He looks like the Pillsbury Doughboy!

Life has given them both what they deserve.

In the business world, you have to make people's lives better to be rewarded. The companies and entrepreneurs that are adding the most value to other people are the ones who are being rewarded most handsomely.

Said another way, if you want to be a billionaire, help a billion people!

How do you make sure that you are creating value for other people?

*Please be sure to read the Intro post to this blog series to get the most out of it.