Migrant Success Secrets

Hi Amber!

I am not guessing, I am just reading....

Saw you post and got all excited!

:-)

With Love,

Julie

> This is also true. How is that an advantage
> though?

> It's an advantage they have the moment they
> arrive in the new country.

> Michael Ross

Michael,

It's an advantage because they don't have a choice. They know what they want, that is survive, and they do whatever it takes to get there.

We who have been born in a country have so many choices ... sometimes too many. We're constantly being bombarded with choices.

With migrants, it's cut and dry. Survive.

So I stand by my answer: "They knew what they wanted and did what they could to get there."

So what do you think Michael? Warm or cold?

Pete Godfrey

> It's an advantage because they don't have a
> choice. They know what they want, that is
> survive, and they do whatever it takes to
> get there.

They do have a choice about whether they do whatever it takes. They don't have to do whatever it takes because there is always welfare.

Granted, being forced to "survive" does give them a "skill" which they can then apply to other areas. The skill of ACTION.

But this "element" - which two people in this thread have gotten and which I have not told them they have gotten, yet (because I think it was a guess and not deduced so I want them to reason it out) - is not a skill or ability.

It is also something most people get later on in life. And "doing whatever it takes" is not something most people eventually get later in life.

> With migrants, it's cut and dry. Survive.

> So I stand by my answer: "They knew
> what they wanted and did what they could to
> get there."

> So what do you think Michael? Warm or cold?

Cold(er).

I'm glad you stood by your answer, though.

I asked about the advantage so you would reason it out. The reasons would make it clearer. And show why you chose your answer. Could help other people too. (Also shows you weren't just having a guess :o))

Michael Ross

Michael,

If I wasn't thinking before, I certainly am now. I'm going to sleep on this one.

Most people eventually get it later in life eh?

Now, what does that mean?

Thanks for the thread Michael.

Pete Godfrey

> They do have a choice about whether they do
> whatever it takes. They don't have to do
> whatever it takes because there is always
> welfare.

> Granted, being forced to "survive"
> does give them a "skill" which
> they can then apply to other areas. The
> skill of ACTION.

> But this "element" - which two
> people in this thread have gotten and which
> I have not told them they have gotten, yet
> (because I think it was a guess and not
> deduced so I want them to reason it out) -
> is not a skill or ability.

> It is also something most people get later
> on in life. And "doing whatever it
> takes" is not something most people
> eventually get later in life.

> Cold(er).

> I'm glad you stood by your answer, though.

> I asked about the advantage so you would
> reason it out. The reasons would make it
> clearer. And show why you chose your answer.
> Could help other people too. (Also shows you
> weren't just having a guess :o))

> Michael Ross

...that they end up living better than they ever thought possible? That's about the only thing left in Karol's response that could be construed as a guess :-/ .

Okay - so who was the other dude that hit on the right answer?

Man ... this is driving me nutso.

-Anon

> Okay... the answer is rather obvious. When
> you find out what it is you will think,
> "Of course." And you will see HOW
> it gives migrants the tremendous advantage
> it does.

> I deduce it is hard to see because it would
> be like a fish trying to imagine a state of
> "no water." All his life all he
> knows is water. Trying to figure out
> "no water" is tough - not
> impossible but tough.

> Michael Ross

Okay, Michael, I'm hoping I've been lurking here on this thread long enough to see the point you are driving at.

Immigrants--most of them, anyway--arrive without any "stuff" (as the great philosopher and observer-of-life, George Carlin, puts it). Consequently, they don't have to divert any of their meager incomes to "maintaining and upgrading" their stuff.

Example: If I drove a beat-up wreck of a car, I'd "have to" spend money on repairs to keep it running... or buy a newer car (probably on credit).

Without having to spend money on maintaining any "stuff," immigrants are able to invest their meager incomes in themselves (e.g. education) and in their dreams (e.g. entrepreneurial undertakings or savings/investment accounts).

Such investment becomes habit... which leads to long term financial success.

In a similar vein, many "native" citizens come to the conclusion late in life that they need to invest in themselves--instead of buying more stuff--if they are going to be able to enjoy comfortable retirements.

Unfortunately, most of them reach this conclusion with too few years left to be able to turn their "spend, spend, spend" lives around.

Right?

~~Steve Rollison

> How is this an advantage?

> Michael Ross

Here is the advantage I was thinking of:

If you're a migrant far away from home, the voices of others (e.g., Mom and Dad, Peers, etc) have less of an impact so working a less glamourous job becomes easier because you're not surrounded by negativity from outside sources.

Regarding ego, I don't think it's a dirty word. It can go either way. Ego can push you to do things you might never try without the "attitude". An unchecked Ego however, might cause you to surround yourself with yes men and shut out good advice from others...

Hope this made sense.

Jack

> Good answer...

> WHY would having delayed gratification be an
> advantage?

They probably don't have grandiose expectations ...and don't take anything for granted....even tomorrow.

So, they practice frugality and save part of their earnings... and can then, much easier, take advantage of an opportunity than if they are encumbered with debt.

They live in the present and are content to have their basic needs met -- and are not as materialistic.

They find joy in simple pleasures and are more easily satisfied.

Carpe Diem! They seize the day, and make each one count... and live it with purpose.

They aren't lazy! :-)

~ Amber

Good to see you posting!

I'm excited too!!! :-)

Bring me up to date on your life when you get a free minute or two... Love ya, Amber

> Hi Amber!

> I am not guessing, I am just reading....

> Saw you post and got all excited!

> :-)

> With Love,

> Julie

Hi Michael,

> I'd like to hear your own theories. Throw
> them out for all of us to see. Each
> "reason" is another ingredient for
> the info-soup.

Okay, you asked for it so if I ramble - you're taking the blame.

Having nothing (especially debt) can be very liberating. Think about it, many imigrants come from extremely poor countries looking for a better life and don't take for granted all that we do. Instead of spending their earnings to pay debt(for items that could be considered luxeries) or keep up with the Joneses, they invest in themselves and the basics. There are so many things people think they need simply because the have always had it or becuase someone else has it.

Here's an example of the difference. A kid moves out of his parents home to live on his own. He gets cable, an entertainment center, new car, eats out, etc. and goes into debt - why? Because that is what his parents did but what he doesn't consider that either they are carrying a lot of debt (and that money could be spent elsewhere) or that they slowly worked up to the point where they were able to afford the extras. Then he sees other people have things and he thinks he needs them to.

An imigrant comes to this country with nothing (and usually not having had all these extras) and worries about the basics. He then invests in himself.

Tam


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