(Disclaimer: Prince Charming - is a metaphor used by the author to refer to happiness in general. For some it may refer to Job Security, Social Security System, a good husband, a good credit card balance. Read: I am not that pathetic.)
When I was a little girl, I had a complete collection of Disney Fairy Tales. The set of tapes had been a favorite and back then, I would usually find myself watching the Disney cartoons over and over. As a result, I grew up a hopeless romantic. And just like what Rhonda Byrne has been emphasizing in the book "The Secret," you attract what you think. So for a period of time, the recurring flashback of the evil stepsisters, wicked witch's poisoned apple and the rest of the villains turned me into one hell of a Damsel in Distress!
I always thought Prince Charming would come an sweep me off my feet and lead me to happily ever after. I was wrong. I jumped from one heartache to another, one struggle to the next... I was busy looking for the Prince in every person's eyes. Until I got tired. I realized, "Prince Charming.. is not coming." --- and then, I was happy.
I was happy because I realized I just have to search inside so I can find the never ending stream of happiness. I learned I cannot control people, circumstances, everything external. But, I can always summon the heroine in me to take charge of my life.
I vowed to myself - in the presence of the moon and the stars - that I will never cry over wrong decisions and will never let anything or anyone get in the way of my dreams.
I was in one chapter of my "Dark Ages" when I saw Coach Willy's invitation to the Life Entrepreneurship Program. I was struck. I felt RENAISSANCE creeping into my system! Every part of it seemed to make sense at that moment:
LIFE - I need one, a good one. Quick!
ENTREPRENEURSHIP - I know, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur.
PROGRAM - I felt there was a solid plan in it.
Without much hesitation, I sent an e-mail to Willy and convinced him why I deserve to learn from their experiences. I have the skills (but not enough on how to make them all work in harmony), I have the passion, I don't have money. I believe I will need a lot of their wisdom. It all started there, and the rest, as they say, is HISTORY. (Read: I became the first Online Core Team member - it's because I am based in Iloilo.)
CA2020 made me stronger. I thought I was, until they pointed out that the failures I experienced was out of my tendency to express so much emotion on something. I usually get too happy, sad, angry, bitter that I end up wasting a lot of time to create a life full of possibilities. I started to meet the rest of the core team members both virtually and personally. I found a new family in them. I learned the following too:
* Attitudes of Success
* Leadership Skills
* Communication Skills
* People Skills
* Overcoming personal fears, doubts and lack of confidence
* Overcoming fear of rejection
* Money Management Skills
* Investing Skills
* Accountability Skills
* Time Management Skills
* Goal Setting
* Systemization
Just recently, I checked out Robert Kiyosaki's video entitled: Game of Money. It is a very enlightening video about the stages we all have to take in our journey to financial freedom and leads us to answer one basic but crucial question: At which age will you win the game of money?
Let me tackle each of the quarters briefly along with the main points:
1st Quarter (25-35 years old)
You are young and vibrant. You wake up early in the morning and clad in that wonderful corporate look you go to work and give your best shot. Being able to earn on your own, you tend to enjoy life, apply for a credit card, hang out with friends. However, for your finances' sake, it is advisable that:
1. Savings should be your top priority - Not that you will be a just a saver forever, at least you have something to start with.
2. Learn investment options - This is important if you now have family and kids to support with at this age.
3 Get insurance - You can invest it in stocks, mutual funds, real estate, bonds, etc.
2nd Quarter (35-45 years old)
Either you have spent long years with your employer (read: rat race. Congratulations for those exempted!) or you have started searching for your real passion. Fact is, your increased paycheck is in direct proportion to the increased number of expenses. it is also in these periods that most:
1. Plan for your children’s future - You do it by by getting an educational plan or open a time deposit that’s under your children’s name.
2. Make sure you have enough for your emergency bank - good amount would be equal to six months up to 1 year of your monthly income.
3. Have a business - YES!
HALF TIME – Mid-Life Crisis
You are not getting any younger. You feel a slight panic. You begin to think and reassess things. (unless you are rich or don't care about it of course!)
3rd Quarter (45-55 years old)
Allocate much of your income to investment capital – review your investment portfolio and ask if you need to transfer funds to other Investments
4th Quarter (55-65 years old)
Your children are on your own. You are about to or have already retired. Protect your capital – try to preserve your capital so that you can live with on its interest, And make sure to make your last will in order.
OVER TIME
Over Time – Kiyosaki referred after the 4th quarter as over time. If you haven’t had any accomplished things when it comes to your financial future, then that would be a great problem because sooner or later you would be “out of time” and the game of money will be “game over”.
GAME OVER
Kiyosaki retired at the age of 47. Like what he and the rest of the successful millionaires of his (and our) generation, I also want to life a great life and achieve TIME AND MONEY FREEDOM. The good thing is, it is within reach for anybody who wants to achieve it now that we are in the information age.
I will not wait for me to turn 25. The time is now.
How about you? At which age will you win the game of money?
Some of you believe that having a large sum of money will become a burdensome responsibility and tie you down. Not being able to pay your bills and worrying about money are also burdens, and can tie you down. You will not be tied down by money unless you believe you will be and set it up so that you are. What you believe is what you create. If you believe that a large sum of money is a burden, it would be good to change that belief before you make a lot of money, or you will experience the money as a burden and a responsibility. If you have asked for a lot of money and don't yet have it, your higher self may be helping you change some of your negative beliefs about having money before it brings you what you have asked for.
Your beliefs about money determine how you attract it, spend it, and relate to it. Do you believe it is possible to make money doing what you love to do? Or do you believe that making money requires hard work and struggle? If there is something you want and you do not yet have it, you may have a belief that is keeping you from having it. Within every belief you are living out there is the seed of the opposite belief that you haven't yet manifested. Within the belief that you don't deserve money lies its opposite - the belief that you DO deserve money. As you take your attention away from the negative belief and begin activating the positive one, you change what you experience.
You may find that some of your limited thinking comes from your parental programming or beliefs. Most of your thoughts, pictures, and concepts were planted at a very early age by the words, beliefs, and unspoken messages of your parents and others you were around. Recognize the beliefs you acquired from your parents, and consciously decide if you want to keep them. Forgive your parents for any beliefs they may have taught you that you no longer want. Realize that they did the best they knew how. In some way those beliefs were perfect for you to have earlier in your life, leading you to the appropriate lessons and growth you needed to achieve more of your potential. You can release any of those old programs and beliefs that no longer serve you, choosing your own operating principles. You can choose what beliefs, thoughts, concepts, and images you want.
The book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker states that people who become wealthy think differently in 17 specific ways:
Rich people believe: “I create my life.” Poor people believe: “Life happens to me.”
Rich people play the money game to win. Poor people play the money game to not lose.
Rich people are committed to being rich. Poor people want to be rich.
Rich people think big. Poor people think small.
Rich people focus on opportunities. Poor people focus on obstacles.
Rich people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people.
Rich people associate with positive, successful people. Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people.
Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion.
Rich people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems.
Rich people are excellent receivers. Poor people are poor receivers.
Rich people choose to get paid based on results. Poor people choose to get paid based on time.
Rich people think “both”. Poor people think “either/or”.
Rich people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.
Rich people manage their money well. Poor people mismanage their money well.
Rich people have their money work hard for them. Poor people work hard for their money.
Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.
Rich people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know.
Just to provide a sort of summary to those who have already read the book. *wink*
To those who have not read it yet, I can give you a copy of the e-book. Just send me a message. :)
Wealthy people share common traits. That's why they are wealthy. If you want to be extremely wealthy, learn and own these traits:
1. PERSISTENCE
On your way to achieve wealth, you will definitely face some obstacles. Overcome the obstacles and move on. Do not give up and be persistent. Wealth is achieved only by removing a series of stumbling blocks along your way to riches.
2. INVEST OR BUILD A BUSINESS
Extremely wealthy people are either businessmen or investors. Look at some of the richest people in the
world. They all own companies. To create wealth, you must involve yourself in business or investing. This is where the money is. Start your own business and grow your wealth.
3. INNOVATIVE
To be very wealthy and to stay wealthy, you need to be very innovative. Being innovative ensures that you always come up with new ideas to create wealth. Look around you for some opportunities that can make you rich. Be observant and critical.
4. DO WHAT YOU LOVE
If you are not doing what you love, forget about getting rich. Wealthy people get wealthy because they do what they love. They love what they do so much that they forget that they are actually working. Find something you love and create business around what you love.
5. GIVE IT BACK
Donate some of your income to charity you believe in on a regular basis. Some extremely wealthy people even have their own foundations. They donate a percentage of their wealth to the cause they believe. The more you give, the more you receive. Do not hoard wealth, share it with people around you.
6. CONTINUOUS LEARNING
Keep learning to improve yourself. Extremely wealthy people believe that the greatest asset in the world is your mind. Your mind shapes your destiny. Invest in your greatest asset by reading books, listening to
audio tapes or attending seminars.
7. LEVERAGE
Extremely wealthy people do not do everything themselves. They know when to let go. They hire the right people to do it. Bill Gates doesn't write software, he hires programmers to do it. To be very rich, you must know how to leverage. Hire people and use tools to do some of your work. If you do not leverage, there is so much that you can do, and this puts a limit on how much money you can make.
"What you focus on EXPANDS."
For your abundance,
Hera Zulueta
