How's that for cheap parking fee?

An elderly Japanese walked into a bank in New York City and asked to talk with the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going back to Japan on urgent business for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000 and that he was not a depositor of the bank.

The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the elderly Japanese handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank. The Japanese produced the title and many supporting documents. Since everything checked out, the loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan but apologized for having to charge 12% interest.

Later, the bank's president and his officers were enjoying a good laugh at the elderly Japanese because he used a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for the $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parked it.

Two weeks later, the elderly Japanese returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we ran a credit check on you and found out that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow the $5,000?"

The elderly Japanese replied: "Aiya, where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?"

Does it take an aggressively enterprising person to have a substantial income?

Being an aggressive person is definitely a good quality. Being an enterprising (hardworking, if you please) person is usually considered a plus point. But you will need more than these to become successful in whatever that you choose to be involved with.

Basically, the choice of the enterprise you like to be involved is of paramount importance. The enterprise should definitely be legal and does not go against the general order of things. In other words it must be an acceptable business.

Then you have to check on your own attitudes towards the motivations behind the choice of enterprise. Are you in this enterprise solely for the money or do you have a bigger picture in your mind? Do you have the passion and love for what you do? In other words, do you believe in this enterprise? Does this enterprise contribute to the community? Does your business add value to everyone who is involved in it? Consider this from the point of view of your customers, suppliers, employees and business associates.

Then again there are other issues to be clear about. Are you able to stick to it long enough? Are you prepared to modify your operations in the name of improvement? What about putting time, effort and other resources into research and development?

Please remember that your actions are like a mirror that will reflect on your result. So keep this mirror clean and clear.

To earn a substantial income, one should be prepared to stick to the enterprise long enough. Be prepared to do more of the things that will enhance the bottom line and one should not get sidetracked. Aim for efficiencies (doing more things at a faster rate while maintaining its cost effectiveness) in all areas of operations. Keep on improving through trouble shooting and innovations.

When your income maintains a healthy growth rate on a consistent basis, you will eventually reach your goal of substantial income. Not only that, you can also be sure that this income can be reaped consistently. It is here to stay!!

Why is it that when people do something for me, I don’t remember? But I always remember the things that I did for other people?

Basically, you are a self centered person. You usually think in the "I" frame of mind, isn't that correct? For example, you will remember that "I did this the other day for her/him". You feel "I am the one in the middle of my world". Please remember that there are other people living in this world.

Try to "give" yourself (I do not mean physically, but in your thoughts and actions) to people around you. There are people around you, am I right? When you focus on the people around you, you will notice that they have done things for you. Pause for a moment and think about this. Then you do not mind doing things for others without thinking about the "payment". Let's be realistic, people do reciprocate.

Remember that little things (thoughtful things and things which are usually taken for granted) can mean a lot to other people, also. Learn to say "thank you" and "please" and "can I help you?" more often.

I am reminded of a situation where I had breakfast at a food stall in the market at 8am the other day. When the middle-aged lady brought my order, I thanked her while paying for the food. She replied, "You do not have to thank me, it is my job to serve you." True, she was right. But I was thinking about her sacrificing some nice sleeping hours to wake up at 6am just to be able to serve me a steaming hot breakfast at 8am

Anyway, when we practice this idea of thinking about others, the goodwill that we spread by simple words and actions will become like golden boomerangs that touches peoples lives. Food for thought isn't it?

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PS. This question was taken from Yahoo! Answers with the answer supplied by myself (with some modification in language). I welcome questions and concerns from readers with regards to dealing with people and personal improvement. Send your questions to me at ww.robert126@gmail.com
It is my hope that I am able to share myself (in terms of thoughts, experiences and ideas) with people who care enough to read this blog.
If you have no question, I will welcome your opinion on the matter discussed above. Please leave your comments.