It's seeing a new pattern and pouncing on it. It's what technical traders do in the stock or commodity markets.
It's devising a new strategy. It's what managers who have free rein to express their initiative do.
But, most often, it's creating something new. It can be entirely new. Or it can be a twist on something that has popular appeal.
Most people, for some reason, don't know that making money is about invention.
They think it's about conformity.
It's what has been drilled into them in school. It's what they first encounter when they join the workforce.
It's a socially-reinforced belief that traps them into mediocrity.
They learn the rules then do their best to play by them.
Usually, if they work for someone, they play by the rules they have been told to obey.
Those slightly more independent, work for themselves; but they too try to learn the rules that others in their field use.
And even in investing, this strategy of finding out the rules and playing by them is followed.
Yet, pause for a moment, and look around you.
Those struggling to pay their bills are the only one's playing by the rules.
In this group, they are two types: the enforcers and the enforced. It's a miserable situation for both because neither express their own true nature. Instead, they've become numb to creativity. Their attention is preoccupied with either force or resistance.
The few who are actually making money are enjoying themselves. It's an exhilarating game for them. Money is a way to keep score. The game itself absorbs them.
What is this game?
It's invention.
They are pumping new ideas into the marketplace. They creatively maneuver their way in the world. They try different things, experiment constantly, test bravely, but never give in to the belief that failure is a possibility.
If they adopt someone else's strategy, they tweak it until it works for them.
The rules they play by are general rules and they feel free to innovate within them.
Those who struggle all their lives to make ends meet know only highly specific rules, rules that ruthlessly crush their initiative and enterprise.
Money likes creative people. Brave people. It likes inventors.
Initially it tests those who move forward with an original idea, pushes them to a point where it seems defeat is inevitable, then it rolls at their feet in ecstasy.
Judging by the number of e-mails I've received in recent weeks, many of you have heard the news that the VA will be reviewing some 72,000 PTSD claims that have been granted. "Why?" is the No. 1 question that's being asked of me in those e-mails. The answer: Because earlier this year, the Inspector General's Office (the IG) looked at about 2,100 claims and found that in some 600 cases, "the presence of a stressor was not clearly defined." So, according to the VA, they "will be looking to ascertain the presence of a stressor" (a specific traumatic event or experience occurring during the period of military service. For a more comprehensive look at the review issue, see the Government Relations report)
Keep in mind that this is all about money. Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, recently stated: "Many veterans stop going to therapy/treatment once they have received their 100 percent PTSD disability claim." The fact of the matter is that PTSD and other related mental health issues represent long-term VA health care costs, not short-term costs such as those associated with a broken arm. We also know that the longer PTSD goes untreated, the worse it can become over time, and subsequent treatment costs will rise. Add to this mix the fact that many-if not most-VA facilities have neither the appropriate number of professional mental health staff or resources (programs, beds, or funds) to provide adequate mental health services, despite VA claims to the contrary.
For example, at VISN 15 at the Kansas City VA Hospital, in 1996 there were 41/2 F.T.E.s (full-time equivalencies of staff time) dedicated to 55 clients diagnosed with PTSD. In 2005, there are 21/2 F.T.E.s assigned to more than 1,000 clients. Weekly group therapy sessions consist of hundreds of clients packed into standing-room-only rooms. If you're lucky, you can schedule a one-on-one, 30-minute therapy session once every three months. Given these facts, why do you think veterans would stop seeking long-term VA mental health services?
In other news: In July 2004, a report in The New England Journal of Medicine estimated that 17 percent of service personnel returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom had PTSD-related symptoms. But Dr. Al Batres, who heads the VA's Readjustment Counseling Service (Vet Centers), believes the rate is now higher-and growing. So far this year some 14,000 veterans have sought counseling at the 207 community Vet Centers he oversees. About 27 percent of them, he explains, report such symptoms. "The numbers coming in are escalating," says Batres, who stresses that his data are anecdotal.
PTSD continues to be an acronym the military doesn't like. Rather, it prefers "temporary adjustment disorder," with an emphasis on "temporary." If Batres's numbers prove correct, the overall rates of PTSD could equal those of the Vietnam War.
Both Saleem Rana & Tom Berger are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Saleem Rana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Travel and Leisure and Careers and Job Hunting. Saleem Rana would love to share his inspiring ideas with you. Hunting everywhere for a life worth living? Discover the life of your dreams. His book, Never Ever Give Up is offered at no cost to stimulate your success.. Saleem Rana's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.
Tom Berger has sinced written about articles on various topics from Vietnam Travel, Education Toys and Acne Treatment. Tom Berger is a writer for The VVA Veteran, the official voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ? An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. Learn more at