The Problem With Entitlement

So let me start by painting a picture for you. It’s the holiday season, let’s say BC, (Before Covid) and you are walking into your favorite store to do some Christmas shopping. At the door you see that staple of the season, the red Salvation Army kettle with the bell ringer. You know the bell ringer personally so you strike up a conversation and start to walk off. They yell your name and ask you where your donation is. You tell them you don’t have anything extra to give and they get UPSET. They begin to question you and demand to know why you didn’t give anything….so what do you say…the nerve of this dude, turn around and ask them ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! To your surprise they reply yes.

This picture is probably more extreme than just using the example of a kid throwing a fit, but I needed to prove a point. Everyone who has kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc. has seen them act up for something they want, but that is not what we are talking about, we are talking about ENTITLEMENT. Someone legitimately believing they are SUPPOSED to get something they did not earn or work for, just because.

So let me pose a question to you. What makes you worthy of what you feel like you deserve? What have you done to get it? What contribution have YOU made? In the case of the bell ringer, he had no idea what was in his friends pocket and he definitely didn’t help him earn it so what him the right to feel he was supposed to donate it. So once again what makes you worthy, what did you do, what contribution have you made?

These are not hard questions but these are questions that you should be able to answer if you feel like you are entitled. See the entitled person does not want the work just the reward. They believe that reposting a few “I’m on my grind” memes on Facebook with “No Cap” on the caption reflects what they are actually doing. The part that misses most people is the fact that the work is offline, the work is in the streets, the work is in the WORK. How do expect for someone to see your value if you stay distracted by what someone else is posting, that is simply doing the same things that you are, just posting.

Most people want all of the reward with none of the sacrifice. What are you looking to be recognized for? If you wouldn’t recognize you for what you are doing, then why are you expecting it from someone else? Be honest with yourself first, then fix it. This in itself is entitlement, not saying it’s anything wrong with that if you have earned it. In that case you should speak up for yourself and speak out but your work should have built your name way before your mouth. Your actions should far outweigh your attitude.

What I have learned is that everybody wants to be successful until it’s time to put in that work. Everybody loves to say I’m a beast, its trendy now, until it’s to eat then you reach for a knife and fork. I’m going to tell you a secret, I have never seen a lion reach for the sterling silver. You will not find success on the clearance aisle. The only person in your way is you. The sooner you realize the world does not owe you anything will be the sooner you get out of your own way.

Starting today, RIGHT NOW, what are you going to do differently? Are you going to sit around and wait for something to be handed to you that you know you didn’t deserve or are you go get it. So now, what’s your excuse, it’s time to reverse the trend, it’s time to make sure YOU are in demand, not just demanding.

Keep Grinding,

T