Imagine finding a diamond of untold value.
The next few minutes will bring you that same value and more if you are ready to receive and take action on the information and knowledge you’ll be learning here.
If you haven’t read the past 4 or 5 blog postings, you’ll definitely want to get back here to read them as soon as possible. You’re jumping in midstream now. No worries though, you’ll still find the A-HA moments here.
We’ve already agreed that you’re controlled by your conditioned mind. It has one primary purpose, which is your survival. It doesn’t care about your success. It does care about keeping you in your “comfort zone”.
We know that in order for you to succeed, you must grow. For you to grow, you’ve got to get OUT of your comfort zone.
We also agreed that most of us are NOT programmed for financial success … for wealth and abundance. In fact, the majority of us are programmed for financial struggle.
Which means, in the areas of wealth and abundance, you need to “reprogram” yourself … “recondition” your conditioned mind, so that you’re naturally going to move away from financial struggle, and begin to move toward wealth and abundance.
We also agreed that the best place for you to start is with 15 minutes a day that you dedicate to your own personal success in the areas of wealth and abundance.
During those 15 minutes, you begin the “reconditioning” process. You begin to focus on reprogramming yourself in the areas of wealth and abundance. You begin to concentrate on bombarding your mind with new and better ideas, philosophies, systems, strategies, tactics and attitudes that will change the way you think and act when it comes to your financial life.
You’ve learned about the concept of financial freedom. It’s pretty much what everyone consciously or unconsciously wants … the ability to live the lifestyle you desire without you having to work anymore. You don’t have to become a millionaire to win the game. You do have to know how much monthly income it would take for you to be free.
Once you know how much your goal is, you must understand what “passive” income is, and why it’s the MISSING PIECE to almost everybody’s financial life. What is it, and how do you create it?
That brings us to today’s question … WHY?
Why would you want your freedom? More specifically, why would you want your FINANCIAL FREEDOM?
Here are some truths that you might as well understand and accept right now …
The greatest law is the law of cause and effect. You are responsible for taking care of the “causes” or the actions (or inactions) in your life. The “effects” or the results are what you will get in return. That means for you to have massive success, you will have to take massive action!
People grossly OVERESTIMATE what they can do in the short run. People grossly UNDERESTIMATE what they can do in the long run. Don’t expect that you can win the game and become financially free in 90 days. At the same time, YOU’D BE AMAZED by what you can do in just 3 to 5 years.
Everybody has problems … from the wealthiest to the poorest. They just have different problems.
Here’s the big challenge …
Becoming financially free isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would be free. Yet, less than 5% make it. Why?
Well … first of all, few people have any idea how the game is played or what the rules are. You’re going to master all of that here over the next while.
Another major reason is that most people who try to win the game quit at the first sign of trouble. MOST PEOPLE ARE WHIMPS! They think that it’ll be more problem to learn how to succeed than the effort it’ll take them to do it. They don’t honestly believe they can do it. They don’t believe they deserve it. They sabotage themselves so that they don’t succeed. Their CONDITIONED MIND WINS!
So will yours until you have spent sufficient time learning the new philosophies and skills that will change your conditioned mind once and for all.
Here are the facts …
If you’re reading this, chances are you are among the top 10% in the world in terms of education and lifestyle. 90% of the rest of the people on this planet do not have the education or lifestyle you have, regardless how much you complain about your life.
That means you have opportunities 90% of the rest of the world do not! You have the opportunity to learn how to create wealth and abundance. You have the opportunity to make a difference in a world where 90% don’t.
In fact, it’s not even an opportunity. It’s an OBLIGATION.
It’s taken me over 50 years to figure this part out, but this I know to be true.
The more wealth and abundance you attract into your life, and the more you share it with the people and causes you believe in, the more wealth and abundance will be attracted to you.
Whether you choose to go after wealth and abundance or not, you are going to have financial challenges. They won’t go away.
What’s your solution to your financial challenges? To keep doing what you’ve always done and hope for a different result?
You must come to a point where you realize that you either win the game or you lose the game based on what you think and what you do. If you want wealth and abundance, you are going to have to commit to learning and doing everything it takes for as long as it takes to be a success.
You must come to a point where you are willing to grow as large as it takes to see the success you desire.
It must become a burning desire, strong enough for you to keep moving forward even when things aren’t going so well.
Decide on your why. Why is it worth your time and effort to achieve wealth and abundance? Why is it worth it to demand more than just mediocrity from yourself?
You must begin to condition your mind with a new attitude about yourself and your desires and beliefs until you are passionate about your own personal financial success. Without a strong enough WHY, you’re going to have a tough time succeeding. Be sure and find yours.
Next, we tackle the first real issue. When it comes to your money and success, what’s the very first thing you must begin to do immediately?
See you back here soon …
Namaste.
Jeff
P.S. Be sure to read through this post again with a pen and pad handy. Wherever I’ve asked you a question, write down your answer. Give it some thought. Write your comments below on my blog.
P.P.S. If you haven’t subscribed to my blog yet, be sure and do it NOW while you’re thinking about it
Jeff, I completely agree with you about one not being able to prosper while they’re stuck in their comfort zone. Coasting through life doesn’t take much effort, but it also doesn’t have much to offer in return when you think about it.
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi psomeraws,
Great point. The easiest thing in the world to do is nothing. It’s easy to be lazy. No effort required. Of course, if you put out no effort, you’ll also get no results.
It’s not enough to work hard though. Lots of people work hard their whole life and never accumulate anything. YOU’VE GOT TO WORK SMART. You have to have a system that works.
Thanks again.
Jeff
Your posts are really insiring and you’re completely right. I always underestimate what I can actually do in life. Its worth my effort to earn wealth because it will make people look up to me, it will be as if I had achieved something epic. If you dont demand more from yourself you will be a failure and that wont make people look up to you, it will make people glare in disgust whenever they see you.
Ilyas I.
Jeff Fagin response:
Thanks for your comments Ilyas. I really appreciate it.
Most people settle for far less than their capable of. As soon as you set higher standards for yourself, you’ll find you can achieve much more than you ever imagined, and you’re on your way.
Hope to see you back here soon.
Jeff
I think that its not possible to spend just 15 minutes a day to become financially stable, i think that it should take alot longer than that.
Jeff Fagin Response:
Hi Rabid,
Thanks for you comment. You may have missed the point here.
I’m NOT suggesting that if you simply read or study for 15 minutes daily about wealth and abundance that you’ll have it. I wish it were that easy.
But it’s where you start! You FOCUS on learning 1 new principle a day. You concentrate on APPLYING what you learned throughout the day. Do this for a year, and then come back and tell me that you aren’t 1000% further along the path to wealth and abundance. The problem, is … you probably won’t do it. THAT’S THE REAL PROBELM.
Hopefully, in your case Rabid, I’m wrong and you’ll do it.
All the best,
Jeff
I’ve found that most people are content to spend money they don’t have until the find themselves up to their eyes in debt and even that won’t stop them. People would rather have things because they feel it makes them look successful, even though they’re not! If people would only buy the things they need then they’d find themselves better off financially. Some people really just been to be “trained” to manage their finances and if they can accomplish that they will be successful!
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi PJM,
Excellent points. Thanks.
We do have a negative savings rate in this country, which means that we spend more than we earn. That’s how most of us are CONDITIONED. Until you are CONDITIONED to think and act differently, you will do what everyone else does. Everyone else is struggling financially. Is that what you want?
This blog is about NOT DOING what everyone else is doing … only what the most successful are doing.
Thanks for your comments.
Jeff
Wow. I always thought about my future and how I would be financially “free” as you say, but you put it into good perspective in saying thinking is not good enough. I hope to read more of these posts soon.
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Francis,
Great to read your comment here on my blog. Thank you.
I hope you’ll do more than just read the posts. It takes ACTION to be successful.
All the best,
Jeff
Jeff, I’ve been reading the site for awhile and you have made me understand not only where I want to go, but that getting there is a journey and not a quick trip. As you suggest I have set goals for the LONG TERM and I have committed to learning and doing everything necessary to get there. Looking forward to reading about the next step.
Jeff Fagin response:
Hey Joe,
Thank you for your comment. You’ve learned your lessons well. If you can continue to DO as much as you learn, you will succeed. All it takes is the right attitude and the right systems. You’ll find plenty of both right here. You can make 2009 your best year ever.
Looking forward to reading many more comments from you.
Thanks again Joe.
Jeff
You have brought up dozens of interesting points about financial freedom, the most interesting to me being your view on peoples obligation to create wealth and abundance. This strikes a particular nerve with me because I share that same viewpoint, I honestly believe that everyone who is able has a duty to the rest of the world in terms of creating wealth and abundance for not only themselves but for others that are less fortunate.
I look forward to your next post.
All the best,
Adam
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Adam,
Great comments. We do share a common view. Let’s hope there are enough of us out there to make a difference.
Hope you’ll make this a great year and that I’ll see your comments frequently.
Namaste,
Jeff
Hello Jeff.
The point I want to make is that although people keep working hard they don’t work hard towards their goal of achieving financial sucess. Its again what they think is financial success and what actually financial success really is. The society tells them or rather they perceive it to be more wealthy or being rich makes you financially successful. But according to what I see or feel is that financial success is when you can manage your desires in timely fashion without overstretching yourselves financially. By desires in a timely fashion I mean people have different desires and wants at different points of time. If they can satisfy those within that time then they are financially successful. what say?
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Ankush,
You are correct my friend. People will have different wants at different times in your life.
What I am suggesting is that financial freedom allows you to do whatever you want with your time without having to worry about paying the bills. It doesn’t mean you don’t work anymore, it means that if you do work, you work because you WANT to, not because you have to. You work because you are passionate about what you are doing.
The more you can manage your desires, just as you wrote, the quicker you can reach freedom.
Thanks again.
Jeff
Jeff,
I completely agree with your assessment that most people do not want to do the hard work to become financially free. I have been blessed to be in a situation where my parents have helped me through college. Because of this I have no debt entering into the professional world. With that being said, I have already decided to become financially smart. I want to put myself into a position where I will never have to worry about money. It is hard in the short run because I am saving a lot of my paychecks, but I know it will be worth it in the long run. I look forward to hearing ideas from you.
Slaurain
Hi Slaurain,
Way to go! Good for you.
You’ve already mastered one of the most important habits of all, to live on less than what you earn, and pay yourself first.
Now, the key is WHAT to do with your savings to grow it to reach your goals? You’ll be reading plenty about this key step in the near future.
Thanks again for your comment.
Jeff
Great post! I think that it’s so true that people are driven to stay in the same place because it’s their comfort zone and one must really be trained to get out of that comfort zone and look elsewhere to become financially free. Very insightful post and I can’t wait to read more!
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Ivan,
Great point. To win the money game and become financially free, you’re going to have to grow, and in order to grow you’re going to have to leave your comfort zone. So, yes, to become financially free you have to “conditioned” yourself to be COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.
Thanks Ivan.
Jeff
I have to agree with the “greatest law”. I know a lot of people who never really appreciate what theya re capable of doing, always feeling like they are out of control of their finances. In particular, people are often intimidated to undertake action. Thanks for the great post, keep it up!
Jeff Fagin response:
Thanks for the excellent comment. Well said.
If we can always remember the Law of Cause and Effect, and what our responsibilities are, we can improve our chances for success tenfold.
Hope to see you here again soon.
All the best,
Jeff
Jeff,
Your posts are the best.. They have inspired me to watch how I spend my time. I completely agree with your point here, like winston churchill said “I never worry about action, but only about inaction”
keep up the good posts…
Joe
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your comments. Winston Churchill is an all time favorite of mine. His speeches to the British people during WWII were among the greatest inspirational speeches of all time.
ACTION is the key. The right ACTION, repeated over and over, will lead to extraordinary results just so long as you live by Winston Churchill’s famous quote … NEVER QUIT … NEVER SURRENDER!
Thanks again.
Jeff
Hi,
I was very interested to hear what you have to say, I am new to this site but you clearly have a lot of good ideas. Currently, I am a student so it does make it hard to put some of your ideas into practice, not having a regular income doesn’t help. Your point that reading this has put me “among the top 10% in the world in terms of education and lifestyle” has really made me think about my life, and I am determined to make the most of the opportunity that I have.
Naturally, I am quite a lazy person but this has given me at least some motivation to get off my arse, thank you!
Tom
Jeff Fagin response:
Hey Tom,
Great response. At least you’re willing to own up to the fact that you’re lazy, and before you can change a behavior, you first have to become AWARE of it. I’ve never met a lazy person who had a lot of success. So, you have a choice. Stay lazy and struggle your entire life (unless you win the lottery or inherit a lot of money) or find something to get passionate about, and then start doing something to make it happen.
You’ll find all the ideas you need to get you on the path to financial freedom right here at this site. Learn it, and apply it, and before you’re 30 you can be financially free.
Hope I’ll see you back here soon.
All the best,
Jeff
great words of wisdom! i have sent this article to all my friends! Great article to post right now because of all of the financial problems everyone is having right now!!!! GREAT ARTICLE
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Dylan,
Thank you very much for you comment. I really appreciate it.
In these tough financial times, the right knowledge is gold. I’ve been studying and applying these principles for 40 years. I didn’t create this knowledge, I just know through personal experience that if you apply this knowledge, it works.
Hope I’ll see you back here again soon. I’ll look forward to your comments.
Namaste.
Jeff
I’d have to completely agree with just about everything you’re saying here, Jeff. One part the resonated particularly well with me was when you went on about people not honestly believing in themselves, and allowing their conditioned mind to control them.
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi psyk0ninja,
Excellent comments.
Unfortunately, we are all controled by our conditioned mind. So, we might as well condition ourselves to create wealth and abundance rather than struggle.
Thanks again.
Jeff
GREAT post, Jeff. So very true. That darn why can be illusive but once it’s found, the sky is the limit — as long as you have daily reinforcement.
Personally, I’m motivated to use I Am statements. I have them in a card that I sent my self through the Send Out Cards system and read it to start each day.
There are many methods - this is just one I enjoy. The important thing is to do something that keeps you focused on the why and make it part of your life.
Thanks for the ideas, Jeff. We ALL need to focus on them and use them consistently.
Jeff Fagin response:
Hi Bill,
Thank you for that idea.
I know you understand the value of the WHY better than most. Those who have a strong enough why will never have a problem moving forward. Their WHY will propel them.
Namaste,
Jeff