| Feeling trapped by lack of funds? We can learn from | | | | really want a new car, kitchen set or vacation? Or do |
| those who live comfortably and retire early. They | | | | you realize you already have what you "can't |
| use language differently from those who are stuck in | | | | afford?"Looking around my eclectic collection of living |
| a scarcity process.1. Banish the word "expensive" | | | | room furniture, I can dream of spending lavishly for |
| from your vocabulary. Replace with, "That's not a | | | | designer furniture, ceramic artwork and crystal lamps. |
| priority for me.""Expensive" is relative.In my town, a | | | | I also know these items will never appear on my |
| group of people get together every day for coffee | | | | wish list.Even the best-mannered cat will deposit an |
| and conversation. One person I'll call Jane, refused to | | | | occasional surprise on the couch, and the dog's |
| participate"Two dollars for a cup of coffee? " she | | | | exuberant personality can leave a trail of broken |
| sniffs. "Expensive!"When you work at home, you | | | | glass. Regardless of politics, many of us empathized |
| need a break and you want to talk to other | | | | when the wife of newly-elected Governor Jeb Bush |
| like-minded people. The value of coffee is table rent | | | | admitted," When you have pets you can't have an |
| and support. Folks who participate are not just buying | | | | elegant home."Saying "can't afford" puts you in a |
| coffee -- they're buying motivation.My acquaintance | | | | one-down position. Creating a wish list generates |
| "Tom" refused to pay a few hundred dollars for | | | | abundance and clarifies values. I'd put "three cats and |
| professional help with his resume. "Too expensive," | | | | two dogs" on my wish -- but not "designer |
| he said. "I can do it myself and my friends will give | | | | furniture."3. Forbid all talk about what you don't have. |
| me feedback."Tom continued to send out resumes | | | | Replace with appreciation for what you enjoy |
| with no results, not realizing every week he delayed | | | | now.Hortensia complains about her lack of money . |
| finding a job would cost him hundreds, even | | | | True, her salary is not high by any standards -- but |
| thousands of dollars. And his friends were even more | | | | her job offers security, generous vacation time, and |
| clueless about resumes than he was.Bob hires a | | | | excellent retirement benefits. Her location allows her |
| coach to keep him motivated as he builds his | | | | to hike in the woods and fish in the lakes.An image |
| business. Expensive? Sure -- but he feels he's | | | | of abundance will enhance your strengths. Most of us |
| spending five thousand dollars a year so he can build | | | | have more than we realize -- in real as well as |
| his income to a hundred thousand dollars a year...or | | | | abstract terms. I encourage clients to meet with a |
| more.My friend "Laura" used to get her nails done | | | | financial planner, especially if they're facing |
| every week while she was unemployed and broke | | | | experiencing career transition. Often a professional |
| and had no interviews lined up. Impractical? Frivolous? | | | | review helps people realize they're better off than |
| Expensive?For Laura, manicures were a symbol of | | | | they realized.Bottom LineTalking your way to financial |
| where she had been and where she will be in the | | | | freedom -- simple? Yes, but effective. Try these |
| future. She spent money for her priority with no | | | | steps for a week and notice a difference -- first in |
| regrets.2. Banish the sentence "I can't afford it." | | | | your thoughts, soon in your lifeI offer one-to-one |
| Replace with, "That's on my wish list."Adding an item | | | | consultations on career strategy. |
| to your official wish list makes a statement. Do you | | | | |