book

Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money, Second Edition

by Daniel Lapin

October 2009

Beginner

370 pages

10h 54m

English

Wiley

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YOU DO WANT MORE MONEY, DON'T YOU?THE RECIPEFOUR FALSE THEORIES ABOUT JEWISH BUSINESS SUCCESSFalse Theory #1: Jews Learned How to Make Money Because of Natural SelectionFalse Theory #2: Jews Cheat to Get AheadFalse Theory #3: All Jews Belong to a Secret NetworkFalse Theory #4: Jews are Smarter than Everyone ElseTHE TRUE EXPLANATION FOR JEWISH SUCCESS IN BUSINESS AND MONEY MATTERSKNOWING HOW THE WORLD REALLY WORKSSUCCESS REQUIRES LEARNING AND PRACTICEWHAT MADE ME WRITE THIS BOOK
1.1. FEEL VIRTUOUS, GROW WEALTHY1.2. MONEY IS HOLY, AND HOLIDAYS ARE LINKED TO MONEY1.3. JEWS BECAME BANKERS TO HELP OTHERS, NOT AS A LAST RESORT1.4. GOLD IS GOOD: GOD SAID SO1.5. "CHARITY IS GOOD; BUSINESS IS SELFISH"—A POPULAR MISCONCEPTION1.6. YOU CAN'T EARN AN HONEST LIVING WITHOUT PLEASING OTHERS1.7. HOW WE ARE ALL PERSUADED THAT BUSINESS IS EVIL1.8. HOW WE ARE TAUGHT THAT BUSINESS IS BAD, FROM EARLY EDUCATION1.9. MOVIES AND TELEVISION CONSPIRE TO MAKE YOU POOR1.10. WE CAN'T HELP BELIEVING SOME OF WHAT PEOPLE TELL US1.11. MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT BUSINESS IS INHERENTLY BAD1.12. POPULAR CULTURE SUPPORTS IMMORAL "LOVE": MONEY IS BAD, BUT SEX IS GOOD?1.13. HUMANS ARE NOT JUST "SMART ANIMALS"1.14. EVEN BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS THEMSELVES HAVE GIVEN UP THE FIGHT1.15. HOW STARBUCKS DOES GOOD WORKS—EVERY DAY1.16. BAIN CONSULTANTS CAN TRANSFER TO "MORALLY UPLIFTING" WORK1.17. MOST PEOPLE WORK "IN BUSINESS"—AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!
2.1. HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS? LEARN FROM YOUR PARENTS2.2. STAY CONNECTED TO OTHERS: YOU'LL BE HAPPIER AND LIVE LONGER2.3. FRIENDSHIPS LEAD TO WEALTH, RATHER THAN THE REVERSE2.4. FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MANY FRIENDS2.5. FORGE FRIENDSHIPS BY CREATING ONGOING OBLIGATIONS2.6. MURDER AND THE CITY—HOW ONLY CROWDS OF PEOPLE CAN CREATE WEALTH2.7. IMPROVING CONNECTIONS ENHANCES WEALTH CREATION2.8. HELPING OTHERS IMPROVE THEIR LIVES HELPS YOU IMPROVE YOUR OWN LIFE2.9. DON'T BE A "WAGE SLAVE"—BE IN BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF2.10. BE PROUD OF AND LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU DO2.11. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS CAREFULLY2.12. SERVICE DOESN'T MEAN SERVILITY2.13. LOVING OTHERS, NOT JUST YOURSELF2.14. TO LEARN HOW TO SERVE, LEARN HOW TO BE SERVED2.15. THE POWER OF PREDICTABILITY IN MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS
3.1. RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS SKILLS IN EVERY PROFESSION3.2. WHY YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT IN DETERMINING YOUR OWN SUCCESS3.2.1. You Are Your Most Important Employee3.2.2. You Are Your Most Important Student3.3. HELPING YOUR WISE IMPULSE DOMINATE YOUR SELF-DESTRUCTIVE IMPULSE3.4. LISTEN TO YOUR CONSCIENCE3.5. TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE3.6. UNDERSTAND WHAT REALLY MOTIVATES PEOPLE3.7. RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS3.7.1. The First Motivator: Wisdom3.7.2. The Second Motivator: Power3.7.3. The Third Motivator: Wealth3.7.4. The Fourth Motivator: Esteem of Others3.8. BALANCING ALL FOUR MOTIVATORS TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM SUCCESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE3.9. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES
4.1. DON'T BLAME "BUSINESS" BECAUSE OF A FEW UNETHICAL BUSINESSPEOPLE4.2. WHY IS BUSINESS EXCORIATED WHEN OTHER PROFESSIONS ARE EXCUSED?4.3. THE "ROBBER BARONS" WEREN'T EVIL: THEY CREATED GOOD, TOO4.4. WHEN YOU TAKE LUXURIES FOR GRANTED, THINGS MUST BE PRETTY GOOD4.5. HOW "ETHICAL CAPITALISM" DIFFERS FROM ORDINARY, EVERYDAY CAPITALISM4.6. THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY THAT ETHICAL CAPITALISM WORKS4.7. THE FOUR FAMOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BUSINESS4.7.1. Myth #1: Business is Inherently Unfair—It Causes Inequality by Giving Some People More at the Expense of Others Who are Left with Less4.7.1.1. Can Poverty be Eliminated?4.7.1.2. Poverty is Relative4.7.2. Myth #2: Business is Fatally Flawed Because it is Driven by Greed4.7.2.1. You Must Provide for Yourself First, so That You Can Help Others Later4.7.2.2. Gratitude Beats Churlishness4.7.3. Myth #3: Business Harms the Environment4.7.3.1. Even False Beliefs about Environmentalism Must Be Taken Seriously4.7.3.2. People Have Different Priorities, or Different Strokes for Different Folks4.7.4. Myth #4: Business Dehumanizes People by Turning them into Consumers4.7.4.1. The Morality of the Marketplace4.7.4.2. Markets Are Very Human4.8. INSTEAD OF PERFECTION—THE NEXT BEST THING4.9. THE CIVILIZING EFFECT OF BUSINESS
5.1. WHAT LEADERSHIP TRAINING IS NOT5.2. BE READY TO STEP INTO LEADERSHIP5.3. HOW JUDAISM DEFINES "LEADERSHIP"5.4. BECOMING A LEADER5.5. LEARN TO FOLLOW IF YOU WANT TO LEARN TO LEAD5.6. MAINTAIN A CLEAR VISION OF YOUR GOAL5.7. CONFRONTATION IS OFTEN NECESSARY5.8. LEADERSHIP REQUIRES MASTERY OF BOTH FAITH AND FACTS5.9. USING THE POWER OF PRAYER TO ENHANCE YOUR FAITH AND TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS5.10. MAINTAINING BALANCE5.10.1. Maintain Employee Individuality5.10.2. Maintain Balance Between Short-and Long-Term Goals5.10.3. Maintain Balance between Increasing Your Income and Cutting Your Costs5.11. USE BODY LANGUAGE TO LOOK LIKE A LEADER5.12. CONTROL YOUR PHYSICAL MOVEMENTS TO SHOW SELF-ASSURANCE5.13. LEARN TO GIVE PRESENTATIONS WITHOUT NOTES5.14. ADOPT A "MASK OF COMMAND"
6.1. THE JEWISH STAR SHOWS HOW TO BALANCE CHANGE WITH A FIXED FRAME OF REFERENCE6.2. INNOVATION AND CHANGE ARE A NECESSARY EVOLUTION6.3. INCREMENTAL CHANGE IS EASIER TO ACCEPT6.4. MAKE CHANGES GRADUALLY WHENEVER POSSIBLE6.4.1. React to Sudden Change Slowly, Too6.4.2. Discomfort with Change Makes the Familiar Welcome6.5. IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CULTURES, JUDAISM EMBRACES CHANGE6.6. INTEGRATING CHANGE AND THE UNCHANGEABLE INTO YOUR LIFE6.7. THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE YOU MUST DEPEND ON THINGS THAT NEVER CHANGE6.8. SOME THINGS SHOULD NEVER CHANGE: PROFIT IS A CORE VALUE6.9. EVALUATING WHEN CHANGE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF NEW CIRCUMSTANCES6.10. CHANGE DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN CHANGE6.11. THE REALITY OF CHANGE IS DEPICTED MORE ACCURATELY BY A VIDEO THAN BY A SNAPSHOT
7.1. RECOGNIZE WHEN EXTERNAL EVENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS OR LIFE7.2. INTERPRET EVENTS WITHOUT EMOTION7.3. LEARN TO SEE CLUES IN THE PRESENT THAT FORESHADOW THE FUTURE7.4. LOOK BACKWARD TO SEE FORWARD7.5. KEEP IN MIND THE PATTERNS OF TIME7.5.1. A Period of Material Acquisitiveness7.5.2. A Period of Spiritual Quest7.5.3. A Period of Cultural Decline7.6. HOW TO USE THE CYCLES OF LIFE TO DETERMINE OTHER TRENDS7.7. CONSECRATING TIME FOR FORECASTING7.8. HOW TO DERIVE THE MOST BENEFIT FROM YOUR QUIET FORECASTING TIME7.9. GOAL SETTING IS SEEING THE FUTURE

8.1. WHAT IS MONEY?8.2. THE JEWISH PERCEPTION OF MONEY8.3. THE USE OF MONEY INVOLVES TRUST8.4. MONEY IS INTANGIBLE: IT DEPENDS ON REPUTATION8.5. A WIDESPREAD SYSTEM OF COMMON VALUES PRODUCES WEALTH8.6. VALUE: HOW MUCH SOMETHING IS WORTH8.6.1. Objective Value8.6.2. How Hebrew Defines Value8.7. TO CREATE VALUE, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND VALUE8.8. FINANCIAL RECORD KEEPING ON WHICH EVERYONE CAN AGREE8.9. HUMAN INTERACTION = WEALTH8.10. CALCULATING TOTAL VALUE OF GOODS IN THE TOTAL ECONOMY8.11. HOW JEWISH TRADITION ASSESSES THE VALUE OF POSSESSIONS8.12. JEWISH TRADITION ESPOUSES THE MOVEMENT OF MONEY
9.1. WHY PEOPLE GIVE TO CHARITY—EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT RATIONAL9.2. JEWISH TRADITION TEACHES THAT CHARITABLE GIVING BENEFITS THE GIVER9.3. DON'T LIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS; INSTEAD GIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS9.4. GIVING MONEY AWAY MAKES MORE COME BACK TO YOU9.5. GIVE MONEY, NOT JUST TO DO GOOD BUT TO DO WELL9.6. BEING CHARITABLE MEANS MAKING NEW FRIENDS9.7. DONATING IS LIKE INVESTING: IT INCREASES WHAT COMES BACK TO YOU9.8. CHARITY FOCUSES YOU OUTSIDE YOURSELF9.9. FEEL VIRTUOUS FOR A VERY GOOD REASON9.10. FOR GOOD REASON, ADMIRE YOURSELF9.11. PEOPLE ARE CREATORS, NOT CONSUMERS, AND GIVERS, NOT TAKERS
10.1. RETIREMENT SHOULD NOT BE A GOAL10.2. "WE'RE GOOD UNTIL WE DIE": LIFE STORIES OF PRODUCTIVE LONGEVITY10.3. THE KEY TO LONGEVITY IS CARING FOR OTHERS10.4. HEBREW DOESN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE THE CONCEPT OF "RETIREMENT"10.5. THE VERY IDEA OF RETIREMENT ERODES THE QUALITY OF PERSEVERANCE10.6. THE THREE LIES OF THE RETIREMENT MYTH10.6.1. Lie 1: Work has No Value in and of Itself10.6.2. Lie 2: People Become Less Productive and Less Useful as They Age10.6.3. Lie 3: People are Merely Consumers, Rather Than Creators10.7. THE REAL ROLE OF WORK
IntroductionThe First Commandment Believe in the Dignity and Morality of BusinessThe Second Commandment Extend the Network of Your Connectedness to Many PeopleThe Third Commandment Get to Know YourselfThe Fourth Commandment Do Not Pursue PerfectionThe Fifth Commandment Lead Consistently and ConstantlyThe Sixth Commandment Constantly Change the Changeable While Steadfastly Clinging to the UnchangeableThe Seventh Commandment Learn to Foretell the FutureThe Eighth Commandment Know Your MoneyThe Ninth Commandment Act Rich: Give Away 10 Percent of Your After - Tax IncomeThe Tenth Commandment Never RetireEpilogue

Overview

A practical approach to creating wealth-based on the established principles of ancient Jewish wisdom-made accessible to people of all backgrounds

The ups and downs of the economy prove Rabbi Daniel Lapin's famous principle that the more things change, the more we need to depend upon the things that never change. There's no better source for both practical and spiritual financial wisdom than the time-tested knowledge found in the ancient Jewish faith and its culture. In the Second Edition of Thou Shall Prosper, Lapin offers a practical approach to creating wealth based on the established principles of ancient Jewish wisdom. This book details the ten permanent principles that never change, the ten commandments of making money if you will, and explores the economic and philosophic vision of business that has been part of Jewish culture for centuries. The book's focus is on making accessible to individuals of all backgrounds, the timeless truths that Jews have used for centuries to excel in business.

Outlines ten fundamental ""commandments"" relating to business and money
Includes insights that will increase your potential for creating wealth, no matter what your faith or background may be
Blends contemporary business stories and Lapin's own business experiences with the wisdom of the Torah and Talmudic prescriptions

This Second Edition provides new examples, especially of Internet related business opportunities. In addition, each chapter highlights specific action steps that can lead to wealth opportunities in both difficult economic times and periods of prosperity.