Rich Dad Poor Dad
I read ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad‘ more than a decade ago. Back then, I was serving my National Service commitments, and I remember vividly asking my cousin what he reckoned I do while I was serving the 2 1/2 years so that I didn’t waste my time.
So he suggested I take a look at ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’. Suffice to say, reading that book was a major turning point in my life.
It was most definitely a paradigm shift for me. The message in the book shattered my reality box and opened me to a whole new world of possibilities.
I remember thinking, before I read the book, that I’d be satisfied with a job that paid me $5,000 a month at today’s value. What was I thinking?!
Like most excited newbies, I was eager to start my own business, build up my passive income, and retire young and rich!
It took a few years, and some life experiences, to realize I had opened Pandora’s box. What do I mean?
Don’t get me wrong; ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ is an excellent book. For anyone who’s sick and tired of the mundane 9 to 5 drone-like life, this material is an excellent wake-up call … almost a slap in the face, if you will.
The thing is, that’s it. That’s all it is. It’s a ‘wake-up call’ that opens up our eyes to new realities … but it doesn’t spell out to readers what needs to be done and how to do it?
The important steps after that would be to read up, find mentors, and learn from people who are already successful doing what you would like to do.
I guess that’s why there are many people who have read the book and gotten disillusioned; they know they don’t want to be stuck in the ‘E’ Quadrant (i.e. employees), but they have no idea how to get out, and stay out.
I was no exception … for a short period of time.
Fortunately, I was blessed enough to meet the right people, get involved in the right circles, and have truthfully sincere mentors guiding me along the way.
Do I regret reading the book? Not at all. What else do I have to learn? Tons!
What are your experiences after reading this book? 
Hi,
Thank you for your article. I too read Rich dad poor dad and it brought about a whole new level of awareness. “Awareness is the first step to change.” I guess that was the intention of this book.
The book also gives us significant reasons why we should have income from all 4 quadrants. I believe this is also extremely powerful because “the bigger the why, the easier the how.”-many people. Given that the book has only that many pages, it is my opinion that giving people the WHY is far more important than giving the HOW.
Besides, he did talk briefly about the how to in subsequent books. But I guess the real education has to be pursued outside of books in the real world, just like how you got yours.
Therefore, I do agree with the benefits that the book brings, and would like to point out that maybe the intention of the book is to bring about awareness, and it has achieved its purpose very well.
Hey Kang Long,
Thank you for helping me further clarify.
Yes, I do agree with you that ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ does the first step of awareness well … that was what I meant when I mentioned the ‘wake up call’ for myself.
As you’ve rightly pointed out too, that what’s next has to be pursued outside of books.
That’s why I always recommend others to read up, find mentors, and learn from people who are already successful doing what they’d would like to do
Thanks again. Good stuff