"Wealth is an attitude---a place to live. Money is an exchange, a symbol of wealth. Being wealthy is being whole and satisfied no matter what the conditions of your life and specifically no matter what the financial conditions of your life. Wealth is being, whereas money is a thing that has form or an agreed upon value. Money is also an illusion. It won't make you happy, bring you love, heal your insecurities, buy you people or make you better. Money is simply money."
Terry Cole-Whitaker, Author, Speaker, Minister
Wielding Your Wealth-
Are you finding yourself caught up in the emotional turbulence that has accompanied these crazy unpredictable economic times? Do your fears have you addictively riding the media roller coaster awaiting each broadcast about the latest bungle or bail-out, which seems to change course each passing day, and at times even hour to hour? Not only do we hear it with media reports, famous financial advisors, and sheer numbers we see in the market---we hear the commentary around the neighborhood, by the water cooler, in business circles and at the playground. Deep down, we know paying too much attention to the hype is not good for us, and yet it is like driving by a car accident, where we know we should just look away, but in a way we can't. Our financial situations are so personal and fundamental. And how do we cope with the concept that after years of hard work, investing for retirement, in what seems like a blip it feels like the clock has been turned back we look at our financial statements? A logical response is fear and contraction. You may even typically be a positive person, but suddenly find yourself with your glass even less full than it ever was. If this is the case you are not alone.
No one will argue that we are in fact in uniquely difficult times, on many counts. It is the uniqueness of these times that commands that when it comes to our view on prosperity we could use a less than standard approach. We are in a time where we need to play the game of wealth and abundance by new rules. A new perspective and strategy is needed in order to thrive in times like these, when so many negative messages are pummeling toward us at every corner. So, how exactly can you pull up out of the mire, and step back to take on more productive and prosperous vantage point?
Over the years, in my work with hundreds of individuals going through major career and life transitions, the topic of money has always fundamental. If they are already successful financially they often are concerned about making career decisions that allow them to maintain or enhance their situation. If they are not where they want to be financially, or are striving for a base level of security we absolutely need to put the appropriate attention on the topic of wealth. It has always been a critical one to address, and now with the global economy as turbulent as it is today, this principle has more intensity around it than it ever has in the past. As I have said, we need to look outside of our traditional wealth avenues to move forward.
Let's face it. On the topic of creating prosperity, there are plenty of resources that will help you with investments, better money management, business-building, salary-negotiation, retirement planning, budgeting, etc. There are advisors that can work with you, planners that can get you to the penny on what it will take for you to be debt-free or even financially set for life. The bottom line, however, is that all the best wealth-management principles in the world won't work, until certain conditions are in place. You have to have the proper attitude, mindset and beliefs. These conditions are the basis for achieving any aspect of life fulfillment --not just wealth and prosperity. They are things that help you realize that life is not what others tell you, and whether it is your wealth or other situations in your life, it is really what you make of it. You are in control far more than you believe. So shut out those negative influences, and consider the following steps to spin the wealth wheel in your favor.
1) Define Wealth and What Motivates You to Have It
What does wealth and prosperity mean to you? Is it defined by dollar amounts such as income, profits or return on investments? Is it power, status or recognition; safety, security and stability? For some it might be freedom, material gain or the ability to give to others. Others still may feel that to be wealthy is merely the peace of mind and fulfillment that Terri Whitaker explains in her quote. Many of us include a variety of these things in our own definition of wealth. You need to determine yours and exactly why it is important to you. Plainly, what does it mean to you and why do you want it? Here's a hint: If you state it as goals you will come from the head - if you state it as desire- you will come from the heart.
2) Identify and Clear Up Any Murky Beliefs and Fears
Almost all of us at some point in our lives have some sabotaging beliefs about our ability to be wealthy or live abundantly. You might hold the belief that you have to struggle or sacrifice to have what you want in life, whether it be the financial or material things, or the freeing and fulfilling things. I was just in the coffee shop this week chatting with a friendly man in his early 60's, happily retired from a corporate job. I described to him that some of the people I run into are happy with their work, and of course others are pretty unhappy and feel stuck. He blanketly said that you do what you have to do. Sometimes you just have to tough it all out if you have a family, etc. This mindset is not foreign to many of us. Yet, this suffering assumption can keep us stuck.
For many the issue of feeling worthy of success is huge. Why should we be able to have all that we desire? The money messages we received growing up from parents or society is fodder enough for a whole other article. Aside from beliefs, we also have fears that get in the way. Our lives can change dramatically when our wealth changes. Change or the unknown is not all that comfortable for many of us. These and so many other beliefs and fears about wealth loom so that half the time we don't even realize we are experiencing them. Once you uncover your own murky beliefs, you can see to clearing them up. After all, a dirty, dusty magnet doesn't attract too well, now does it?
You probably know of the studies that show that the people that are of modest means who suddenly win the lotto, often find themselves not too far down the road back to where they were before the windfall. They may have blown the money on irresponsible spending, poor decision-making or something else. The same thing holds true for people who have become wealthy in get-rich-quick investments if they have difficulty with finances in the past. They suddenly have wealth, but their money mindset has not changed, so their old beliefs, habits and fears take over. On the flip side, how do we explain the countless people that come from the toughest of poverty situations as children and then create and maintain success and wealth? Pardon, the pun, but I would put money on it that their beliefs and mindsets at some point became aligned with their positive vision of wealth, despite their exposure. Either way, it comes down to the mind.
3) Know Your Bigger Vision
If you want to make a change, build the plan. As with other areas of your life, when it comes to your wealth, have a broader view of how it all fits into the bigger scheme of things, and who you will be in this vision. How will a positive change in your prosperity affect your relationships, career plans, communities, time, wellness and future planning? As you become better able to articulate this bigger vision, you are altering the identity you have for yourself as it relates to wealth. You see yourself in a different light and have a roadmap of what it will look like for you. If attracting more wealth means that you will go part-time, retire earlier or vacation more with your family, you can see that there will be a ripple effect that you need to plan for and design around. It may mean you need to take on a certain confidence level, and engage differently with others to attract more of what you want.Now that you know your definition, motivation, potential saboteurs and vision, how do you get there?
4) Change the way you think, visualize and act until you shift your mindset and beliefs to align with your desires.
It may take help, determination and practice, but research shows we can change the neuropathways in our brains, even when they have been one way for most of our lives. Again, this applies to anything we want to change. Studies also show that visualization can be one of the more transformative tools you can use, sometimes even more than speaking or writing. Although this is true, making shifts in all areas (what you image, say and do) is the most comprehensive way to tackle the change.
Here are two specific suggestions on attracting wealth:
>Act As If
How would you be different if you had an unlimited supply of wealth coming? Try operating fully on that belief of infinite abundance, and you will see amazing things happen. This gets down to whether you really believe in lack or plenty for all. If it is lack or limitation, try playing with the notion that there is no end to the money available to you--even without struggle. Journal, clip pictures, talks about, create affirmations and desires, that all have to do with money that you have, even before it is so. A great website to check out is http://www.millionairemoneygame.com where you can sign up for free and on auto responder email will send you money (from the Bank of the Universe, that is), a couple times a week for 8 weeks. I can tell you from first-hand experience, when you play the game as though it is real, following the rules of spending and no saving, really experiencing in your visions and writings about what it feels like to do this, over time you can see some things happen. (Within the first month, I gained 5 new clients, got an unexpected $100 rebate on a printer, and an unexpected tax rebate. I'll take it!)
Jack Canfield writes in his book, The Success Principles, that John Carey, the comedian, upon arriving in Hollywood at the start of his first small job, wrote himself a check for $10 million dollars claiming he would someday make that on a movie. He made less than that on his first and more than twice that on his second, and you know the rest of the story. (When he buried his father, he put the check in his suit pocket as a thank-you for all of the inspiration he had been to him.)
> Inject Joy
How often do you find yourself thinking, if I had more money, THEN I would be happy. If I had more prosperity in my life, it would be so thrilling or wonderful. If I had wealth I would be so grateful. Switch it around, because that is truly how it works. When I am happy, thrilling or grateful MYSELF....then I will be, think, act differently and attract better things to me. The inside-out approach works here, like with anything else.
Now Take Action!
Give yourself at least 30-60 days to practice new habits around the concept of wealth and prosperity.
* Define wealth and prosperity for you; define who you will need to be to live in this way.
* Get to the bottom of and address beliefs and fears.
* Write down specific desires and your bigger vision.
* Imprint with pictures, images, objects around you, surrounding yourself with a wealth environment.
* Use wealth-building affirmations.
* Be open to receiving.
* Live and give with joy; continue to donate to meaningful charities. Circulate your money and time.
* Most powerfully, practice gratitude for what you have.
The journey to your personal prosperity is right before you. Take back the wheel and enjoy the ride!
Jill Berquist, PCC is a certified Career and Life Coach, whose passion is helping professionals, executives and entrepreneurs, design and live a with greater sanity, soul and success.
"How Rich Do You Want to Be?" You're about to learn the money manifesting secrets most people will never know. It has nothing to do with the stock market, real estate, or investing. Getting rich is easy! In fact, it's so simple, anybody can do it! Let me show you the process rich people have known for hundreds of years... You'll learn how to attain massive wealth with just three easy-to-follow steps. In this book, you'll learn: - The single biggest reason most people are broke (and stay that way)... and how you can make sure you aren't one of these people! - A way rich people spend money...which actually increases wealth! - The true secret to unlimited wealth! (99% of people are absolutely floored by this secret... because... they didn't have the slightest clue.) - A way to handle "pocket change" which may very likely double your income this year! (This "trick" only takes 3 seconds per day!) - Four powerful "target words" which you can add to the end of any wish or prayer, that guarantee you'll receive the absolute best results! - How you can turn your financial life around in just 60 seconds! (It's so simple, you'll kick yourself for not having thought of it.) - Why rich people always attract money...even in a "bad" economy! (And how you can too!) Get rich, one step at a time... This book has been organized into an easy-to-follow, 3-step system. Simply follow the process, sit back, and let the system do its work. That's it!
A Wealth of Wisdom is a collection of Positive, Power-Packed, Inspirational and Motivational Quotes to encourage. Use them to enrich and guide your life. These Quotes can be of great value and significance. They convey very relevant messages to life and could influence wise decisions.