The Plight of The Common Man

There’s something peaceful about being awake at 4:00 am with no noise of the day in the background. It’s a serene time for one to be with his or her thoughts. The silence can be maddening for some, but for me I find opportunity. It’s given me a chance to create new ideas for business, forge new life goals, and learn a lot about what it’s like on the other side of an ordinary middle class lifestyle. These latest experiences have started to give me perspective of my current situation, and given me guidance in areas I have been lacking. Self motivation.

I am no stranger to being up before the rest of my house, but this time it’s not because I wanted to get my day going. I now work a 3rd shift job at the old United Parcel Service throwing around boxes for fun and low pay. This is one of two positions I work to keep feeding myself and have a roof over my head. These jobs are out of necessity not want. Which I find is how most of the workers next to me feel as well. It has opened my eyes to the great class divide we have in our country. I am not talking politics, but more of the class difference in economic terms. We’ve come a long way within our country in technological innovation and freedom of career. Even with all these advancements in education and career improvement processes there’s still a need for folks to work unskilled labor. Problem is that no one wants to work those jobs. They’re not for the faint of heart, and they don’t pay well. It’s not a rewarding path.

When I was younger not an issue for me to work on a loading dock, tend bar or labor in a factory. I made good money and had all I needed. It wasn’t until after I graduated with a finance degree, joined Wall Street and became somewhat desensitized to what a typical American worker goes through on a day by day basis. I spent the greater part of my 20s and 30s traveling, eating out at fancy restaurants and enjoying tropical vacations. I was earning salaries within the top 5% of all working people in the U.S. Life was good, but I lost touch with my roots. I grew up in a blue collar town where the largest employers are places like Jeep and Ford Motor. My home town is a working class people with good hearts and appreciative for everything they have. Somewhere along the way I lost that view. I think this can happen to a lot of people as they climb the food chain. We lose our sense of selves and become part of the elitist crowd never to look back. That’s why I’m hoping this realization will bring me back to earth and appreciate the walk of the common citizen. Sometimes the universe gives us a gut check, and I think this is mine.

When I first got into the financial world I told myself that I was in it to help people live better, more fulfilled lives. I wanted to help middle class people retire well, and be able to live the family life they desired. Somewhere along the way I got recruited into new positions and became part of a different career choice which was geared more towards making the rich richer. I worked directly with larger financial advisers and institutions to line their pocketbook and earn more fees. I was good at it, and fun. I got to travel a lot. Meet new people. Made an outstanding salary, and became part of the big Wall Street machine. This was not the goal of my life though. It took some serious depression and downtrodden time to come to that reality. It’s always darkest before dawn though.

That’s where this titled piece comes to fruition. In some way, I had to experience what the common man has to go through every day to appreciate what kind of life I have been. I’m not the biggest believer in God even as a Catholic, yet I do believe in fate. Happen for a reason. I ended up in this place on purpose, because for some reason I am to do something different and possibly greater with my life. I’ve always had this feeling that I am to help people. Folks seek my advice. I’m not sure why, because I’ve destroyed a lot of my life over and over again. I have had a lot of different life experiences that most ever will. My confidence and knowledge of how people work has allowed me to be a top salesman, great mentor and a good friend. That’s why I am on this other path now. I have to take the next step. The economic divide in this country has always bothered me, and there’s something I can do to help the situation. I have the tools and knowledge that is needed to help coach people through their financial burdens. The question I have for myself is how do I go about it? How does one take on the monster of financial services and aid the common folk in navigating the system? How do you teach people basic financial life skills? How do you show them the opportunity out there? Questions.

This world is changing with the birth of like A.I. and algorithmic platforms. I could see this as an opportunity or a problem. I think there’s enough educational tools and new markets out there that it could be an opportunity for regular people to take advantage of the rich have had access to prior. That is how I have to approach this new venture through the looking glass of opportunity. Check my ego and find a way to lend a hand. Live a life that is in service to my fellow man rather than being a taker. Plenty to chew on for the next months. Guess I have to get to work.

Mad Sherpa Marketing

Ryan Stengle