Judging from the perspectives shared among blog readers and writers I think it’s safe to assume that most people buzzing around the money blogosphere are “Middlesters” — that is to say that they, (like you and me), are a shade in the spectrum of middle class. Sure there are exceptions to this rule, but look at where the buzz is on blogs that talk about money: how to invest in your retirement fund, where the latest deals and promotions are, how to get out of debt, how to pay for college, how to find loopholes in credit card agreements to make an easy buck, and of course one of my favorite topics how to increase your credit score. These are all consumeristic middle-classs money topics at best, and while they have their place in creating a solid financial foundation they are not the keys to the rocket ship that are going to blast your life off into the stratosphere. No, no, they are the keys to the Lexus parked in valet.
Of course, in this backward ass-hat of a nation some people actually prefer luxury sedans over rocket ships. Can you believe it?
80% of Americans Are Destined For a Life of Mediocrity
So go ahead and get out of consumer debt, (you shouldn’t have been there to begin with, but eh, credit happens). Go to college and get professional credentials, (hell, put your whole family through college via the 529 College Savings Plan or Upromise). Work everyday for the next 40 or so years and live off a PHAT retirement check (and hope that you did all the right things while you were young and impressionable). Live, work, learn and play by the rules and tricks established by the money blogosphere and you MIGHT be one of the most deep-pocketed, well-respected, family-cherishing, environment-saving, middlesters on your posh, pear-treed, suburban, gated-community, block. You MIGHT even be worth an easy million with a fancy Lexus or Lincoln rubbing elbows with the waspiest of wasps!
Imagine with me if you will ….
Aaaahhh, Lexus …. (dream bubbles)
–And let me be clear, that’s a big “might” — as in “maybe”.
Lovely, but not likely…
Despite all the knowledge and wisdom of the googled world most people will not achieve even that type of middle-class success. Bills and taxes will still need to be paid, medical costs will increase with age, and a plethora of unforeseeables make achieving real middle-classness a moving target. Americans are completely blindsided by these issues and many more, not least of which is their own ignorance or incompetence.
Most people are “Middlesters“!
Think about it … Most people:
+ are driven mostly by their emotions.
+ aren’t smart or lucky enough to get big breaks.
+ are resigned to a “balanced” life of cycled consumerism:
( paycheck -> taxes -> save -> spend -> expend -> dividend -> paycheck)
+ can’t tell the difference between marketing and real information.
+ don’t know exactly what they want or where they want to be in life.
+ don’t know who or what they are.
+ follow whatever seems popular (to their peers).
+ define themselves in terms of other people.
+ prefer to fit in rather than to be different.
+ are judgmental and prejudice.
+ think that being right is about being “right” (or first).
+ are afraid of changes and challenges.
–This is a recipe for mediocrity.
Each of these issues is a potential stumbling stone to knock you off course. Without buckets of luck or opportunity pouring on your doorstep these stones become a real hindrance to progress.
In my continued quest to escape the ghetto, free myself of those Middlester “chains”, and become a Millionster I’ve been able to identify some of these issues in myself and address them accordingly — others I’m still working on.
What about you?
October 19th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Juan! OMG! I posted this on reddit and you had it offline! Silly guy…
Great post, it was interesting to read. Middlester hmm.. So you’re a middlester trying to be a millionster… haha
NOW I GET IT!
October 19th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Ah I see that you posted this back up. I was wondering what happened to it.
I like this article Juan. It shows some of your thinking.
Some people are so complacent with life and just getting by is enough for a lot of people.
I like how you coined the term Middlester. Very nice
October 19th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
@imacsandra - I was wondering where all those hits were coming from. Thanks for the love. Yeah I kept making edits to it and freaking WP changes the post to private if you don’t save it right. Ah well I guess you found me out — the whole millionster thing. I’ve been trying for awhile now to put into words my idea of what a millionster is. This is a step in that direction.
@Frank - hey frank, nice to see you again. Yeah sorry problems with wp like I said. Reading a lot of the comments the people live you get an idea for where their minds are at. I was saying sure you know let’s talk about financial stuff but this is all training wheels stuff — let’s get to the real deal. People are so concerned with whether they make an extra buck here or there or if they have best interest rates they aren’t likely to spot the elephant in the room. If they really want to have an exceptional life they’ve got to do a lot more. That’s where my mind is at.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Wow! Great post. Very inspiring. This post really blew me away. It sounds like you hit the nail on the head. A lot of times I feel stuck in an endless cycle like a gerbil on a wheel or a guy on a treadmill not sure what all the running is for, not getting anywhere, but not stopping because I don’t want to get left behind. I think you’re on to something here. The whole “middlester” mentality issue. Before you can change yourself, you need to change your thinking. Thanks for the great article 1mill it was so delicious that I think I stumbled…
October 20th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Thanks man!
Your treadmill analogy is similar to the type of frustrations I’ve continiously dealt with as a cubicle monkey.
I think that anyone who is a visionary, a leader, a creator, an innovator, and a millionster has to first “disconnect themselves” a la Matrix in order to realize their potential.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:09 am
I’m not a middlester. I toil for my state minimum wage? What does that make me?
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:11 am
p.s. I know what I want but I don’t know how to do it on minimum wage
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:38 am
@Minimum Wage - I know that I made some comment in regards to a Middlester being Middle class — but you have to understand I’m still developing the concept. To be clear, a middlester is someone who accepts the norms, is chasing the carrot (see my next article “Clearly, You are an ass“), buys into the whole “go to college get a job trap”, and chases after middle class dreams — like having a lexus and a house in a gated community.
So it’s really not about how much money you make, but rather the mentality you use and endorse, and what kinds of decisions you make.
I’m glad you left your comment though because it gives me an idea for an article. This whole Middlester thing has been taking up my thoughts lately…
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 am
[…] From your teacher to your boss, your lover and your friends — no matter where you look, asses and a desire for carrots abound — apparently the royal plan is working. […]
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:44 am
Whats wrong with beiing Mediocrity?
November 5th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
@Andrius - nothing wrong with being whatever you want. This is more me saying it’s not what I want to be — I’m still trying to explain why bear with me haha.
November 19th, 2007 at 4:05 am
[…] Millionster (1mil) presents Are You Destined For a Life of Mediocrity? […]
February 4th, 2008 at 4:07 am
[…] Juan Millon (1mil) presents Are You Destined For a Life of Mediocrity? posted at Millionster.com, saying, “Despite all the knowledge and wisdom of the googled world most people will not achieve middle-class success.” […]