Increase - that's the concept of having more than what you currently have. It may be justified or it may not, yet there is nothing inherently wrong with having more. In fact, as long as you aren't dishonest, there's nothing wrong with having in such abundance that you create a dynasty of generational wealth.  However, years of experience shows that not everyone is interested in seeing you do or live well. There are insurmountable obstacles that reign supreme throughout corporate America yet get next to no formal discipline. Touch someone inappropriately or speak with a foul mouth and these offenses will be combated with awareness training. Live a lifestyle beyond your peers and you may find a bulls eye on your back. 

  

 

According to Wikipedia, "Envy(also called invidiousness) is best defined as a resentful emotion that "occurs when a person lacks another's (perceived) superior quality, achievement or possession and wishes that the other lacked it."Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a human connection.  It is not to be confused with envy." Envious enemies will try to eat your flesh. 

 

   

One of the driving forces behind the first Investment Forum was a passion for sharing information for wealth and success. I always felt there was plenty to go around, so I openly shared what I thought was the "little" I knew until it was illustrated that it was actually a lot. I was blindsided when I heard a colleague told senior management that I drove a Lamborghini and lived in a mansion and that I should be fired at once because I didn't need a job.  When a perfect stranger goes out of their way to try and have you terminated when you're minding your own business, you are officially worth your weight in platinum titanium.  Weapons will be formed against you, but I will admit I wanted to mop the floor with his "hind parts".  It wasn't the first time something outrageous like that happened and it wasn't the last. It became a concept I couldn't remotely get my head around at first, but over time I came to realize these people simply exist for no good reason. 

 

      

You Can't Help Everybody 

  

 

I was even willing to illustrate to him in itemized detail how he could achieve similar results. There was no lack of these resources so I wondered if he was under the impression that the affluent well ran dry.  What's even worse, there is a disproportionate amount of people who tend to walk, talk and look just like you who are the biggest source of this type of behavior.   In many sidebar conversations with an angel I met named, Dr. Shirley Dominick, she emphatically stated, "You can't help everybody! Some people just want to be a part of the conversation so they can say they were a part of the conversation. Those are the people to avoid."  Shirley is right.

 

 

Other observations showed that these gut wrenching examples of sheer hate protected no one from its far reaching tentacles. The mantra was simply if you had more than the next guy at your level, you were a viable target. My plan of attack became supersonic listening and surgical dissecting of phrases such as "I wonder how he/she..", "Did you buy that new?" and "That thing must have cost a fortune." These are the tell-tell signs that somebody is watching. It may not be that they are the culprits looking to bring you down but their minds are wondering "How is it that you are one up?" The danger may lie in subsequent conversations with other colleagues who look to take action against well doing. In other words, "Johnson" may not be the one looking to take you down but his conversations with "Williams" may be the that gasoline-ignited spark of turmoil. 

 

 

Want to be Extraordinary? Avoid the Ordinary Guy 

 

 

If there is a self-actualization that you aspire to more, you may want to avoid the regular guy. If Johnson spends every weekend doing chores around the house and doesn't seem to enjoy life while you do more enjoying than working, detailed conversations with him may not serve you best. There is nothing wrong with the guy who performs his chores, but at some point your lifestyle could bring out the worst in him. I once cut the workweek short on Thursday afternoon and went to Africa for a weekend get-a-way. I never told a sole and nobody was the least bit wiser about my plans.  The issue is when a few too many of these trips find their way back to colleagues who aren't living quite so freely problems set in. Mr. Chores may start to compare himself with you and if his perception makes him come up short, you may be in for trouble.  Give your usual water cooler, "weekend was too short" conversation and move on.  Keep trying to blend in by being one of the ordinary guys and at some point they'll make you the square peg in the round hole. 

 

 

But Why?

 

  

You may wonder why should you be punished for enjoying your life when you aren't bothering anyone.  According to Dr. Helen Fisher, " Therapists often regard the demon [jealousy] as a scar of childhood trauma or a symptom of a psychological problem. And it's true that people who feel inadequate, insecure, or overly dependent tend to be more jealous than others."  If you want to avoid unnecessary problems you can dehumanize and watch what you say every time you open your mouth which is nearly impossible. More realistically, find a small crowd of people who have similar desires like Dr. Dominick and maximize time with them.

    

 

The Pursuit of Wealth Helps  

 

Your mind is relaxed when you go to a job where you don't need the money. I learned it can be the most fulfilling, stress-free job you ever had regardless of the pay it offers.  This should motivate you to build up your assets.  Jealousy and envy in the workplace or anyplace for that matter aren't contracted to vanish as of date so you can fight fire with wealth building and work yourself right out of a job or at least decrease your dependency on one.  A few helpful hints are listed below:

 

 

 1. Lower your debt/income ratio - Envious people will take advantage if they know you're maxed out in debt. Slow up on the impulse spending

 

 2. Increase Your Net worth - Don't focus on income or bonuses but overall net worth instead. A seven or eight figure net worth sends haters in a frenzy but there's nothing they can do about it

 

3.  Scrutinize the Company You Keep - Steadfastly plant yourself in "A" list company who are making things happen and eventually you'll make things happen also

 

 

  4. Invest with the Best - Money may not buy happiness but it sure makes life a lot easier. Incorporate a legal/accounting team and ensure you seek their knowledge before you invest and yes you must invest

 

5. Don't Forget the Golden Rule - Whoever has the gold...rules!  In an employer-employee relationship the employer only has the advantage at first but follow rules 1-4 and the title is transferrable.  

 

 

 

   

Explaining to Mr. Chores that these are my deck building clothes.