Can software make you a millionaire?

By Zatni Arbi

JAKARTA (JP): Can software make you a millionaire? Of course it can. Our friends Bill and Larry, just to mention two people, would certainly say: "Look at us." But what about a piece of software or, more precisely, CD-ROM-based multimedia material that promises to tell us how to become a millionaire?

Just out of curiosity, I grabbed the CD-ROM titled How to Become a Self-Made Millionaire. At any rate, it would not hurt to be a millionaire, would it? I have read The Millionaire's Mind, which was written by Thomas J. Stanley, the same person who coauthored the best-seller The Millionaire Next Door.

The two books notwithstanding, I am still not a millionaire. So, what the heck, let's see what this CD-ROM has to teach me, I thought as I put it in my shopping basket.

I have to admit I had never come across the name Brian Tracy before I saw the CD-ROM. In my subsequent Internet surfing, I found out that he has written a number of self-development books. However, after I bought the CD-ROM it was more than a year before I touched it again. All that time it sat on the shelf among my other CD-ROMs.

Since my childhood, I have always enjoyed reading. I have read all sorts of books and magazines, some of which, in retrospect, should have been off-limits to me. But I survived. I still remember reading the translation of Dale Carnegie's book when I was in junior high school. No big deal, actually, but given that I grew up in Payakumbuh, a small town in West Sumatra, it was rather out of the ordinary.

Today, with my eyes getting tired more quickly then before, I've found CD-ROM-based self-development materials a boon. This CD-ROM by Brian Stacy, published by Simon & Schuster, was even a nice surprise.

The topics

We are all interested in making some extra money -- a lot more, if possible, and therefore when I first put the CD-ROM inside the drive I expected tips on how to boost my income. Sure, the tips were there, but what I liked most was the tips on improving personal effectiveness and strengthening the mind as the center of personal power.

Whether we really wish to become a millionaire or just want to be able to get by and save some money for those rainy days, these tips are certainly useful.

Lesson number one is about motivation, about the importance of keeping the fire of desire burning. The importance is clear to us -- we all know how important motivation is, no matter what our goals. We already know that, but it is at least good to hear it again and again to reinforce it in our minds. That is why I think this section is an appropriate one.

Lesson number two is more for those who really want to make it big and become true millionaire. Lesson three provides some ideas for making money, including starting a new business, becoming a consultant, getting a part-time job, investing in real estate or stocks and my favorite, becoming more valuable to our employers. I believe this is one of the most useful tips on the entire CD- ROM. Although employees seldom become millionaires, the importance of becoming indispensable to the people who pay us is also true for professionals and freelancers.

Lesson four contains a set of principles necessary to succeed in your own business, and Brian Stacy has written a number of books on these topics. This section includes tips on the keys to business success, the success quotient, selling skills, marketing skills, etc. Lesson number five discusses various investment strategies to expand our portfolio.

Lesson six, which I don't really think should be included, is about network marketing. Nonetheless, if you're in doubt about the ethicality of MLMs, here's a good place to start your research.

Lesson seven, which I also consider an afterthought, talks briefly about various technologies -- fax machines, computers and PDAs, the Internet, etc.-- that we can use to increase our effectiveness. The last section contains some reading material on various important topics in personal development, including charisma, network building, goal setting, overcoming adversity, increasing your value, personal responsibility and taking smart risks. Any material from this bookshelf can also be printed out, so you can still benefit from the material even though you do not have a computer with a CD-ROM.

Final words

Much of the things that Brian tells us in the CD-ROM may be found in a lot of other self-development books or videos. However, when it comes to useful tips, no matter how small they are, it's worth to hear or read them repeatedly. And this CD-ROM is a good way of hearing them all over again, although for US$29.95 (excluding shipping and tax) this CD-ROM is quite an investment.

But if you want to really become a millionaire, there are a number of activities that you can spend some time on. There are questions that you will have to answer, and they will not only train your mind but probably also lead to a better you. Who knows, they may discipline you and eventually make you a self- made millionaire.

Incidentally, if you want to order this CD-ROM, the Web address is www.simonsays.com. The graphics and videos are of high quality, although at times I found navigating from one section to another quite cumbersome. Brian sure looks authoritative when making his presentations, and overall this is a great CD-ROM for your self-development library. (zatni@cbn.net.id)