Home > Articles > Money & Finance > Five Beliefs To Help You Make Money, Be Happy
Five Beliefs To Help You Make Money, Be Happy
1. Belief
"I'm in transition, moving towards a life where I am happier, healthier, with the right level of money to live my purpose."
Believe this, and gain perspective on whatever is going on right now.
2. Deserve
"Right now, as I am, I deserve to make money and be happy."
Not later, not after you have sorted everyone else out. You, now. OK? When and where are you happiest. Close your eyes and go there. Start with this small action – defining your own happiness is the starting point for all kinds of success.
3. Happiness
"Being happy in my work is not negotiable."
Fulfilling work leads to money and happiness. So why would you choose less?
A job or career that makes you happy is also the most effective way to make the right level of money for your needs. Not later, now! Can you identify the tasks in any one working day that you get a particular kick out of? Start with even the one thing out of a hundred and focus on that.
If you can only think of the word fulfilling in relation to your lunchtime sarnie, maybe it’s time to offer yourself a better deal. Your happiness, and your fulfillment are not negotiable. They provide the fuel that powers your life.
One small observation. If you are working “just for the money” it won’t work. What gets you the money is being the best, caring more, contributing more. Imagine that.
And the virtuous circle continues. Your increased value means you become able to grow assets. Over time becoming less income dependent. Which in turn allows you to choose a move to even more fulfilling work. Or to the Riviera. Up to you.
4. Contribute
"The more I contribute, the more fulfilled I feel."
The secret to make money be happy! The way to get more is to give more.
When I interviewed a number of very rich people for my latest title "Make Money Be Happy" I was struck by their repeated loyalty to this belief. Successful leaders spoke of their desire to support their team.
Successful entrepreneurs of improving quality of life through new products and services. What does it for you? Is it possible to make the link between work that makes you happy, and the needs of your customers?
The model shown here might help:
5. Fulfillment
"It's time for me to stop settling for less."
Your life wasn’t meant to be a big coping strategy. You can find and fund your own fulfillment – starting today.
Did you hear the one about the person who mistook a coping strategy for a life? Actively striving for a life full of money and happiness can feel scary. Or too much to ask.
So instead, you and I settle for less, creating complicated coping strategies to compensate for our fundamental disappointment. Coping strategies like over spending, or drinking (neither a pretty sight) or pretending this is only temporary - "I’ll do something after Christmas."
Coping strategies like chasing status at work, even if you lose your friends. Or propping up your identity with designer labels and pretending it makes you feel better. Deep down, you know stuff is not the same as happiness. Happiness is when you allow yourself a fulfilling life. Where you dazzle the world with your uniqueness.
Where you enjoy difference. When you do that, the world can recognise your talent – and your income improves.
What would it be like if you thought – now – "I'm in transition from a life with too many coping strategies, to a more enjoyable, authentic one." PS The latter is way cheaper!
How To Spot A Coping Strategy:
- You regularly spend money on treats, to cheer yourself up
- You don’t open lots of mail (including e-mail) because, well. Who cares?
- You’re keenly looking forward to Friday, here on Tuesday morning
- You’d rather read horoscopes/mags/phone book, than work on your CV
- You’ve stopped listening to advice. Thanks anyway.
You deserve better. You deserve a happy, fulfilled and financially sound life. No coping strategy can ever compensate for missing out on a life that makes you really happy. And the choice is yours. Try on some of these new beliefs for size. They may suit you.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I wish you huge success. Make money, be happy.
