It’s no secret that an impressive portion of the top 5% of earners are self-employed — but that’s not really the route to financial security. And if you’ve ever had the — um… — privilege of listening to a multi- multi- millionaire talk about money worries and woes, you’ll know another secret: Having wealth that literally exceeds your ability to spend it fast enough to run out before you die does NOT eliminate perceived insecurity.
But, don’t be too quick to scoff at these “wealthy whiners.” =) Because here’s the truth: MONEY —
regardless of how much you have of it — CAN be lost, confiscated, lose its value or otherwise taken out of your control. In 1933 — the year my Grandad was born — hoarding the “gold standard of security” — GOLD — was made illegal by our government, and Americans were demanded to turn in their gold. This was NOT that long ago. We’ve all heard stories, both historic and very current, of the very wealthy “losing it all.” Is it any wonder that one of the top obstacles I have to overcome with my clients is that of financial “insecurity?”
When we harbor fears and insecurity around money, it shows up in how boldly we pursue our business goals. It shows up in how confidently we present a proposal for future work. It shows up in how we price and value our services or product. Fear and insecurity tend to beget timidity. Never good when you are responsible for creating your own income.
I need to share something with you. In college I had my power cut off — and couldn’t turn it back on for three days. I owed $73, worked more than 40 hours a week and went to school full time. College was tough for me financially — and I felt frustrated by it — but never afraid. In the early years of my marriage, I remember using water for my contact lenses because I was waiting to get paid to go to the grocery store. Those were lean times, but not scary times. I don’t stand to inherit any “big money” in my lifetime, and I don’t play the lottery. I can assure you that — despite the emails I get from some Nigerian bank stating otherwise — I’m not in line to receive some financial windfall.
YET, I don’t remember a day in my life when I was insecure financially.
Growing up the daughter of an impressive “bootstrapper” and hustler — I knew a couple of things about money:
1) I could always make more of it — somehow. and
2) The fastest way to money is to serve someone out of your expertise and skillsets.
You see, #2 is the key — the ONLY really proven route to financial security. Having — or developing — a skill set you can fall back on and trade for money — regardless.
Frankly, I don’t have money fears because I know how to create money. Regardless of economy changes or government policy or family structure, I know I can make money.
What security — in any area — comes down to is knowing what YOU can do independent of any other person, policy, or factor.
Have you ever watched those “Extreme Prepper” shows? You know the ones where these families have bug out plans and stored food, water and ammo? Well, I recently spent the weekend with some of my cousins — one of whom is a (mild) prepper. Talking about our “plan” should the “$*%#” ever “hit the fan” caused us no anxiety. WHY? Because we are secure.
Our family — across generations — knows what WE can do independent of any other person, policy, or factor. Collectively, we have the tools, ability and willingness to build shelter, grow food, hunt wild game, and defend what is ours. (Granted, there are few exceptions, but they married in! lol…)
Bottom line, financial security does not come from having MORE. It comes from knowing that you can — always and regardless — create more. At will. Embrace THIS secure mindset and watch how it changes how you show up in the world of business.
P.S. Business owners, if you have NOT deliberately honed your ability to SELL whatever it is that you sell, this is paramount. You can do without a business plan. And you can do without a retail space or corporate office. You can EVEN do without a website. If you had to. But, you can NOT do without a clearly articulated and finely honed ability to sell.
