“Make the most of what you have and keep your standards high. Never settle for anything less than you deserve or are capable of achieving.” ― Roy T. Bennett
The 1950s are often regarded as the Golden Age of American Capitalism. During this post-war period, the U.S. economy expanded rapidly, growing from $200 billion to $500 billion, driven by the rise of mass production, Cold War military spending, and infrastructure investments like the interstate highway system and many of the power plants and electricity grids we still rely on today. The GI bill, FHA loans, the creation of credit cards, rising wages and a 30% increase in purchasing power fueled this growth. This post-war expansion lasted all the way until the mid-1970s.
Our GDP is now worth an estimated $29 trillion and the October 14th edition of The Economist called the US economy the envy of the world: with an articles entitled “America’s economy is bigger and better than ever” and “The American economy has left other rich countries in the dust.” Are we in another golden age of capitalism? What makes it feel so much different? How do we capitalize on our growth and enviable position in the world? And what will we do today to set future generations up for lasting success?
Things are never as good or as bad as they seem. Let’s begin this week with gratitude for the incredible economy we are privileged to live in and build upon. If you are leading, recognize that growth comes with the responsibility to close gaps along the way.
Lasst uns eine tolle Woche haben, uns gegenseitig aufmuntern und gemeinsam voranschreiten.