When you think about a millionaire, what’s the first image that comes to mind? The most common answers I receive are “a celebrity” or “person who got lucky.” The common theme is that they don’t see themselves as millionaires.
Why?
They don’t have the right mindset.
From Wall Street to Wellness
I spent years as a Manhattan hedge fund manager, working with incredibly successful people. Most of them didn’t start off that way. Yes, they worked hard. Some of them were financially savvy. But the biggest difference between them and the average person is that they have what I call a “millionaire mindset.”
When I worked in the financial industry, it was satisfying (for a while) and paid my family’s bills. But it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t completely fulfilled.
After years of focusing on the money part of the equation, I realized I was only looking at one part of financial success.
In my bestselling book, The 9 Money Rules Millionaires Use, I discuss the two sides of money: Energy and action. Sure, it helps to understand key money principles such as the right mix of investments and how to improve your credit score. But that’s only part of it. It also helps to shift from limiting beliefs about money to those of empowerment.
Making Our Money Work for Us Instead of Working for Our Money
Money is at the root of almost all our decisions. Even if we consider ourselves financially literate, we are not financially free. We may be working for our money instead of having our money work for us.
How do we change this?
Follow Unconventional Wisdom
Start by challenging the conventional rules. Don’t assume all rules are a given and must be true. Instead of following conventional wisdom, do what feels right. Tap into your feelings. Follow your intuition.
Next, identify and write down your limiting beliefs. Then, adopt a belief that you are already wealthy. As I say in my book, “Act as if.”
Now, this next one is sometimes the toughest step. Remove the fear. Take a little bit of time to educate yourself about stocks, real estate, stock options, retirement funds, etc. Then combine that education with faith in your dreams and desires. Clarify the fears that you have about investing. Write them down to identify what could be stopping you from achieving the life of your dreams.
The Importance of Intuition and Manifestation
For the next step, let’s go back to our childhood. As young children, we used our intuition rather than overthinking. Your intuition is strong. Use it consciously twice a day. I do this with my daughter when we’re at an elevator bank. Without looking at what floor the elevators are on, guess which one is coming first — using only your intuition. Flex this new intuition “muscle” to help you decide which investments you’re comfortable with.
My partner in the Infinite Peace and Prosperity program, Chara Rodriguera, is an expert for the next rule: Creative Visualization. I know this sounds “airy-fairy.” It is most definitely not and is used by MANY successful people. Visualize what you want before you’ve received it. Feel gratitude even before you’ve received what you’re asking for.
An Attitude of Gratitude
Finally, stop worrying and start being grateful. Write down at least three things you’re grateful for when you wake up and before you go to bed. Give more than you receive.
By brushing up on basic financial skills and adding in a healthy dose of the unconventional methods outlined above, you’ll be on your way to shifting from fear and lack to peace and prosperity.
Joel Salomon is a prosperity coach who helps others overcome obstacles standing in the way of their financial freedom. His new online workshop, Infinite Peace and Prosperity, with Chara Rodriguera, starts Feb. 8 at 7 pm EST. The 10-week course takes a holistic approach to create and maintaining wealth. In 2021, Joel published the Personal Money Management bestseller, Infinite Love and Money with Mollie Singh. In 2019, Joel published The 9 Money Rules Millionaires Use: Only the Unconventional Ones, which was a bestseller in both self-help and personal finance. In 2018, he published the bestselling Mindful Money Management: Memoirs of a Hedge Fund Manager. He is an award-winning speaker and frequent podcast guest. Joel has led over 20 workshops, including the Money Miracles Membership, teaching the concepts of how to overcome limiting beliefs.