Something for Nothing: The All-Consuming Desire that Turns the American Dream into a Social Nightmare

by Brian Tracy

America's greatness comes from people working hard to fulfill their dreams. But today that greatness is being undermined by people using the government to steal other people's dreams (and money). Rather than participate and innovate in the marketplace, generating goods and services that benefit society, people are increasingly vying for political advantage to live at the expense of others. Something for Nothing reveals the social and personal threats inherent in this emerging "grabbing match" culture, juxtaposing free-market virtues against government vices, explaining how the something-for-nothing mentality corrupts the political system, undermines corporate success, and stifles the individual's ability to prosper and contribute long-term to society. More than exposing the dangers, however, Tracy helps readers set a personal and culture-wide agenda for change.

Genres: Business, Self Help

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2004

About the author

Brian Tracy is Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations.

He has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 55 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.

Brian has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.

He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.

He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.

Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting. He has conducted high level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.

He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents, and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in community and national affairs, and is the President of three companies headquartered in San Diego, California.

His most popular training programs are centered around teaching authors how to write a book and helping public speakers create successful careers.

Reviews

[Muhammad Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

My takeaway from a quick look at this is: Money / rewards / benefits should be earned through hardwork. Delay gratification and don't spend money you don't have.

[Diana Nagy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The something for nothing desire is a curse on our world...it really has made things worse for all of us...the rich and the poor because we all can be victim to it whether we're thinking of ourselves or everyone else. Check out this book, see what you think!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive book which discusses the human desire to get something for nothing and the danger it presents if left unchecked. Brian Tracy explains three major threats:

(1) How big government chokes out a thriving economy.

(2) How universal healthcare ruins a country's healthcare system.

(3) how socialism extinguishes the overall country's spirit to excel because the successful are having to support all the government spending programs.

This only encourages people to use the entitledment arguement and rely on more on the government to provide through. He also gives recent examples how the free market prevails (e.g. New Zealand) and how we must strive to work hard and fight against our desire to get something for nothing. Powerful work.

[Christopher Lewis Kozoriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

People are naturally lazy, greedy, selfish, ambitious, vain, ignorant and impatient. ~ Brian Tracy, Something for Nothing

Brian Tracy examines why people are naturally lazy, greedy, selfish, ambitious, vain, ignorant and impatient. He shows us how to use this for our advantage and to avoid our detriment.

Brian Tracy shares good stories and examples of this attitude of "something for nothing" in our society i.e. gambling, dishonestly, reaping without sowing, etc.

Avoid the pitfalls of the "Something for Nothing" attitude and use this attitude of others for your advantage.

[Jan Ryen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book i read in years! This should be an obligatory book for all high school students and indeed all people to read.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly different than his other books, which are mostly about self-improvement, this delves into the nature of US politics and the follies behind them, which he says are driven by the desire to get something for nothing. He makes a reasonable case for entrepreneurs and capitalism being beneficial to human progress, and superior than socialism. Unfortunately he's too polarized to address the opposing arguments, like the need for certain regulations and social programs. While i don't agree with all his points, his basic premise is solid - that the lazy, entitlement mentality is pervasive in our society and needs to change.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice book, mostly an easy read. many nice concepts. I didn't agree with a couple political things he mentions. Otherwise one concept i like about the school systems- Where he agrees with another expert suggesting instead of parents & students forced to go to a particular public school they should instead get a "voucher" where they then use it on a school of their choice. Other than that- its mostly examples of human epidemics like laziness and people chasing anything "free".

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Capitalist rant.

[Geoffrey Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that the Author means well to say that people by nature will exploit the welfare system. However I don't think that Brian has considered all the factors that make some people claim welfare. Most people who are on welfare want to work but are unable to get a job.

Because of issues like!!

- Mental Health Issues with themselves or a family member
- Having a child with a disability
- Globalization and the Made In China (phenomenon)
- Unemployment due to Global Financial Crash and Greed of individuals
- Environmental factors and their current residential address. Some areas, have higher crimes, drug and other problems within the society, that prevent people from getting work
- Physical characteristics. People who are attractive and thin are more likely to get a job.
- Discrimination. Based on the colour of your skin, your ethic background or because of your religion.
- Housing costs. In Sydney Australia we have a housing crisis for anyone who is on welfare they will find it hard to find accommodation. If they are able to find a house for rent. They can find it extremely difficult just to pay the rent because. Land Lords allow tenants to bid up the rental prices to gain accommodation, when the lease is up for renewal. The average rent in this area is around $320 per week

The way I see it the Government has two choices

1. Build a new Private Enterprises with incentives to hire anyone regardless of their unemployment back ground (OR)

2. Provide Welfare Payments , to keep people feed and sheltered.

If your facing these types of issues a good book to read is Jobshift. It does provide some answers to the puzzling question of breaking into job market. However its strategy does have some flaws. But its the best solution to the unemployment problem that I've ever read. http://www.amazon.com/Jobshift-Prospe...

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I agree with much of the philosophy and 30,000ft perspective of this book. Unfortunately, the critical consumer of research in me can't get past the fact that he writes his positions in absolutes. So when he says "all criminals respond to ___", he loses me a bit. I have learned from reading countless research studies that this type of writing only hurts your arguments.

Mr. Tracy needs to embrace the fact that he is making an argument here to explain 21st-century economic behavior of many people in the US, and stop trying to convince me that he's uncovered some hidden truth inherit in all humans for all times. Others have argued with me that he is just being provocative when he writes that way, and if that's true, it makes me want to stop reading these types of books. I find data and facts provocative, not assertions made in absolutes.

[Charlene Mathe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for young adults, for book clubs, and for the general reader. I will shelve it along with my other books on "the American Idea." I value these books as antidotes to the unending assaults against our nation and its founding principles. The emphasis in this book is on personal accountability, resourcefulness, productivity, capitalism and generosity as these virtues underpin Americanism. These virtues are contrasted with the way of "something for nothing" that comes so naturally to human beings; and so easily corrupts our government and social institutions. It concludes with a chapter on "America and the World," "designed from the beginning to be the 'last best hope of mankind'" (p.223), with a leadership responsibility for the rest of the world (p.234). The author reminds us, "To whom much is given, much will be required!"

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-thought out attack on the "welfare mentality" that plagues so many people; the expectation that we're entitled to work, etc, etc.

It's a break from Tracy's normal books, which are straightforward business self-help, in the way it's focused on the philosophy – how competitive capitalism benefits everyone and not just the rich.

He also has his usual advice on how to succeed in the issues he addresses. In the self-help area, this is a must-read.

[Marcelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too wordy but great ideas on why individuals think they should get something for nothing - where the idea came from and what it does to us.

[Tom]

Pretentious crap. I continued reading this thinking it would eventually reveal some valuable tidbit. Nothing.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots to disagree with but words for thought. Very Republican American.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting an concise economic analysis of overconsumption, but got opinions on everything under the sun with no current or factual data supporting these.