Page 213 - Rich Dad's Increase Your Financial IQ: Get Smarter with Your Money

I mention this because today many of us work in environments where
feedback is not allowed, not forthright, and not honest. Many schools and

businesses are afraid to tell you what you need to hear for fear of being
sued. Many friends and co-workers will speak behind your back because
they lack the courage to speak to your face. This is not a healthy
environment. It is a dysfunctional environment.

A healthy environment is one that offers feedback. Life is constantly
giving you priceless information if you are willing to receive it, and most of
the time the feedback is free. Every time you open your pay envelope and
see how much is lost to taxes, this is feedback. If your creditors are calling,

demanding payment, this is feedback. If you are working harder and not
earning enough, this is feedback. If you are spending more time at work and
less time at home, this is feedback. If your kids are on drugs and being
chased by the law, this is feedback. If your friends are all losers and like

being losers, this is feedback. It is great information. The real world is
trying to tell you something.
Your standard of living is a great source of feedback. If you are living in
a home that makes you feel poor, that is feedback. If you are driving a

cheap car when you would rather be driving a Lamborghini, that is
feedback. Standard of living is simply the standard you feel most at home
with. It does not mean being comfortable, cheap, or compromising.
Standard of living means you are in love with and proud of your home,

friends, and possessions rather than envying someone else’s standard of
living. Again, this does not mean improving your standard by getting into
debt. I’m talking about improving your standard of living by first finding a
great environment to learn, getting smarter, and then growing richer.

You do not need to go to a great school, have a great job, or read great
books to receive some of the best information in the world. All you have to
do is look at the world around you and listen to the feedback.
There are three important things to know about feedback:

1. Have the courage to be open to feedback. If you want to improve, seek
more feedback. This is why coaches and mentors are important to

successful people. Successful people seek more feedback.