You say that you are not smart financially. I say that you are wealthier than the average Joe and I will show it to you. If you take a close look at a financial advisor, you will see that they struggle with everyday bills. They have student loans and house payments. Many of them even have credit card debt! You, like they, have wealth. You just need to find it.
You have wealth that you may not even realize. Your wealth, like your dreams, is different than your friends or neighbors. Some of these “wealths” I mention might not even apply to you, but there are others that will. Find them.
No one is all of these things. I certainly am not, but I can find one or two that do apply and I relish it! If the first don’t apply, keep reading until you find something that does apply to you.
The important thing is to find your own wealth and value it. Nurture it. Let it grow.
Do you have some dreams?
Do you dream of going to Japan, being a great cook or owning an RV? Even simple things count! Do you dream about how you will decorate your home for the holiday or having the ultimate winter coat? Dreams are why you get up every day and what you look forward to. As long as you dream, you are wealthy and alive.
Are you mostly happy?
It is impossible to be happy all of the time — but “most of” the time counts! Other people would pay thousands of dollars to be in your happy shoes. You don’t need to be anything that you are not right now.
Do you have that one person in your life that believes in you?
Just one person is all you need. The aunt or neighbor that comes over once a week. The professor or boss that knows that you are destined for something big. Even your grandma that passed away that was so proud of you. People believe in you. You are wealthy.
Are you mostly fit?
If you are 15 pounds or less from your goal weight, that is just a matter of getting back into shape or eating out just one less time a week. Some people would pay thousands of dollars to be the exact shape that you are now. You don’t need to spend money on that.
Do you have some investments?
Whether it is equity in your home, a paid off car, a money market account, or the $2,000 in your 401K — you have investments in your future. Investments are a way of showing yourself and your family that the future can be secure.
Are you in a career that makes you feel valued more often than not?
Do you want to go to your job? Do you feel like what you do is reaching at least one person? Are people better off because of what you bring them? Then you are in the right spot. A good career is like money in the bank!
Do you feel young?
Whether you are 25, 43 or 78 do you feel like the best is yet to come? If so you know that it is not too late to get a degree. It is not too late to live well. It is not too late to change careers or start something new.
Have you successfully made it through some hard times?
Whether it was living off of a bag of potatoes in college, a divorce or a major financial setback, you made your way through it. You are now wiser than someone who has not done it. You will not go back again and your future can only get better.
Find the wealth in you. It is there. You don’t have to tell anyone. Just say it to yourself: you are on the side with the greener grass. Now, take those things that you have and run with them. Make them the best that they can be. Don’t waste too much time on things that you don’t have or don’t need — instead spend it on perfecting what you do well.
