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Don't Worry, Make Money by Richard Carlson

Don't Worry, Make Money by Richard Carlson

by Parker · 331 things on Twos

Spiritual and Practical Ways to Create Abundance and More Fun in Your Life
Introduction
When we are happy, we not only enjoy our lives more than when we are not, but we are far more competent, productive, and creative.
Without the internal distractions of anger, depression, frustration, and especially worry, our relationships flourish, stress is diminished, new doors are opened, and our lives run smoothly.
Whether I was giving money, time, ideas, energy, or simply my love, it always came back to help me, too.
But you don't give because you want something. You give because giving is its own reward. It's fun.
As you learn to worry less, you'll also learn to trust your heart as much or more than your head. While you will be doing better in different aspects of your life, you'll also be doing more for other people. You'll be far less preoccupied with success; yet ironically, you'll become more successful, much more. You'll trust that everything will be okay. And it will.
"We cannot do great things on this earth. We can only do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa
Fear always created some "good" reason that prevented them from reaching out. Yet, invariably, when they banished their fear and took the step, everything worked out for the best. The actions of their heart led to greater personal fulfillment, the helping of others, new friends, even new personal contacts or ideas that turned their own financial lives around. When the circle of fear is broken, we are all the beneficiaries.
As you reduce and eventually remove the worry and fear from your life, you will begin to see new options, ways of doing things, and ways of relating to life that were invisible before. You'll have more fun and be able to help more people. You will live the life of your dreams.
Remember That the Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step
The trick to success sounds very simplistic, because it is very simple: Just begin. Take a single step, followed by another, and then another. Don't look too far out into the future, and don't look too far back either. Stay centered in the present moment as best you can. If you follow this simple plan, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish over time.
In almost all cases, the conditions you are waiting for will not be significantly different next week or next year. Don't worry that the conditions have to be perfect. The truth is, you are still going to have to take that first step! If you take it now, instead of later, you'll be many steps closer to your dreams by this time next year.
Give, Give, Give
Giving is an energy that not only helps others but creates even more for the person who is doing the giving.
Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. If you want more love, or fun, or respect, or success, or anything else, the way to get it is simple: give it away. Don't worry about a thing. The universe knows what it's doing. Everything you give away will return, with interest!
Learn the Magic of Nonattachment
Not caring suggests apathy: "I couldn't care less. It doesn't matter to me." Nonattachment, on the other hand, means: "T'll do everything possible, I'll put the odds in my favor, I'll work hard and concentrate. I'll do my best to succeed. But, if I don't, that's okay, too."
Being attached to an outcome, holding on, takes an enormous amount of energy, not only during an effort but often after an effort is complete, after you've failed, or been let down, or were dealt a bad hand.
Being nonattached, however, creates emotional freedom. It means holding on tightly but letting go lightly. It suggests trying hard, really caring, but at the same time being completely willing to let go of the outcome.
Experience Relaxed Passion
The way to bring forth this type of passion is to learn to keep your attention fully in the present moment. Try to do only one thing at any given moment and give that "one thing" your full and complete attention.
Get Mileage Out of Reflection
Reflection means to bring to life the truth of what's really going on. It's similar to meditation in that you are allowing the truth of the moment, without bias or personal agenda, to surface.
Reflection allows you to see your own contribution to a problem, the ways you might improve, and the blind spots in your thinking. It helps you eliminate any tendency you might have to blame others for your mistakes, make excuses that don't serve you, and break free of old habits.
Pay Yourself First
Most financial professionals realize that it's virtually impossible to accumulate great wealth without this type of discipline and wisdom.
The idea is that, if you wait until everyone else is paid before you pay yourself, you'll never get around to it. There won't be anything left. Despite its importance, however, a very small percentage of people actually implement this strategy.
Accept the Fact That You Can Make Excuses, You Can Make Money, But You Can't Do Both
Courage is best described as being afraid and “doing it anyway.”
A person who is in the habit of making excuses keeps himself from his greatest potential.
Think of your fears and excuses as nothing more than frightening or lazy thoughts that can be overlooked, dismissed, or at least not taken so seriously.
Don't Deal With Problems, Transcend Them
Focusing on problems is one of the key ways of keeping them alive—as well as preventing you from moving past them.
The less you worry about your problems, the easier they will be to solve.
Learn About Moods and Money
Be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low.
Resist the temptation to worry about your moods. Moods are always changing, and yours could change at any moment. Simply realizing that you are stuck in a mood usually rises your spirits.
Consider the Possibility That If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, It Might Not Be
Cynicism contradicts abundance. Cynics, critics, and doubters are clouded by their own destructive, self-defeating filters that say things like "That can't work," "That's impossible," or "I's too good to be true." These people are big-time worriers. They're concerned with what other people think, and they are stuck in doing things "the right way," the same way everyone else does them. These people have closed minds that are fixated on the status quo.
Often there are great deals and wonderful opportunities that come your way. Bu to take advantage of them, you must be open, willing to take a look, lean something new, try something different.
Hire Up
Businesses based on fear are doomed to failure.
As you let go of fear, you will find that you will be rewarded for your willingness to reach out.
Don't Worry About The Market—Invest In It
I believe that one of the closest things to a worry-free, wealth-building strategy is to invest, long term, in the stock market, preferably through your company 401K or, if you're self-employed, your SEP.
Become Less Reactive And More Responsive
In business and in life, we have essentially two psychological modes that we are in most of the time: reactive and responsive. The reactive mode is the one that feels stressful. In it, we feel pressured and are quick to judge. We lose perspective and take things personally. We're annoyed, bothered, and frustrated.
Needless to say, our judgment and decision-making capacity is severely impaired when we are in a reactive state of mind. We make quick decisions that we often regret. We annoy other people and tend to bring out the worst in them. When an opportunity knocks, we are usually too overwhelmed or frustrated to see it. If we do see it, we're usually overly critical and negative.
The responsive mode, on the other hand, is our most relaxed state of mind. Being responsive suggests that we have our bearings. We see the bigger picture and take things less personally. Rather than being rigid and stubborn, we are flexible and calm. In the responsive mode, we are at our best. We bring out the best in others and solve problems gracefully. When an opportunity comes our way, our mind is open. We are receptive to abundance.
Work on “Knowing” Instead of “Believing”
The moment you decide that what you know is more important than what you have been taught to believe, you will have shifted gears in your quest for abundance.
Success comes from within, not from without. It begins by listening to your inner calling and wisdom.
What do you truly value and enjoy? What is your heart trying to tell you? Is there something that you have an inner need to pursue?
Remind Yourself That Your Life Begins Now
One of the most severely limiting beliefs that many of us have is that the person we were yesterday is the person we have to be today.
Operate as if all the power in your life begins and ends in this moment. The positive energy you create may shock you. New doors and opportunities will open. As your past habits creep into your consciousness, simply acknowledge them and let them go.
Surround Yourself With Experts
Asking someone you admire and respect for their feedback and ideas is the greatest compliment you can offer them.
Be Aware of What You Don't Know and What You're Not Good At
“Richard, it's not import that you're not a great speller. It's really important, however, that you know that you're not a good speller. That way, when in doubt, you can use the dictionary.”
Spend the bulk of your time doing whatever it is you do best as well as that which is most important to your success.
Become Aware of the Passion Factor
When we are passionate about what we do, success will follow.
When you follow your heart, when you discover what is truly nourishing to your soul, an abundant, joyful life is just around the corner.
Experiment with the One-Hour Solution
Fear and worry are the greatest dream snatchers.
The only catch is that you must actually spend a full, non-interrupted hour, each and every day, doing what is the critical inch of that business.
You don't have to spend one minute longer than your agreed-upon hour, but for this experiment to be given a chance, you must give it an honest hour.
Be Prepared to Walk Away From a Negotiation—You Can Usually Go Back
Many people get less out of a negotiation than is otherwise possible because of fear—fear that if they don't accept the terms of the deal, as is, they sabotage the deal completely.
If you believe in your product or service, in whatever it is that you bring to the table (your time, your expertise, etc.), you're virtually always better off if you're willing to walk away, to consider the option of starting over or bringing your business elsewhere. This doesn't mean that you do walk away; only that you're comfortable doing so. You're not attached, one way or the other.
The simple act of not worrying about the outcome will, more often than not, come back to help you because the truth of the matter is, most people are worriers!
All you need is a don't-worry attitude.
Be Willing to Change
“If you go on doing what you've always done, you'll go on getting what you've always got.” - Dr. Lair Ribeiro
Take an inventory of your own stubbornness: Are there areas in your life where you do things a certain way simply because that's the way you've always done them?
Keep an open mind.
If you drop your fear, and have the courage to be willing to change, you won't have to go on much longer getting what you've always had.
Spend the Bulk of Your Time on the “Critical Inch” of Your Business or Project
Often, the greatest mistake people make in their quest for success is that they focus on the wrong parts of their business.
What's truly most important?
Frequently, we'll jump from one activity to another without any real thought as to the true relevance of our actions.
Take a moment, each day, to reevaluate your priorities. Make sure you spend your time doing that which is going to create success and abundance in your life.
Express Your Gratitude Toward Others
As long as our expression of gratitude is genuine, other people love it and remember it. This not only makes them feel good, but it also encourages them to help us again and to encourage others to do the same.
The people we remember to thank, in person, with a thoughtful note or gesture, or a phone call, are infinitely more likely to help us again than those we take for granted and/or neglect to thank.
People love to be thanked, not out of any selfish need but simply because it feels good to be acknowledged.
Leave A Great Impression (Not Just A Good One)
When people think of you, you want them to genuinely want to do business, spend time with, help you. You want your customers, clients, coworkers, colleagues, even competitors, to think and speak highly of you to others.
The way to do this is very simple: Make living your life with absolute integrity and kindness your first priority. Put others first, whenever possible. Be genuinely interested in the lives of other people. Be very present moment oriented with others. Look them in the eye and really focus on what they're saying. Care about them as individuals. Ask about their families. Listen, listen, listen. Finally, make your actions match your good intentions. Stand out from the crowd. Be the one to thank your customers and the people with whom you work. Send a card or thoughtful note, even flowers if it's appropriate. Make people remember you in a positive light.
What's more, your life will be filled with more joy and loving kindness than you ever thought possible.
Maintain Wealth Consciousness
Wealth consciousness suggests a complete absence of money worries; an awareness that there is always plenty of money to go around. People who live with true abundance never worry about having enough— they know that creating wealth and affluence is a function of their own mindset. Worry keeps us from feeling free and joyful. We are never truly free until we break the chains of fear. But once we do, our lives will never be the same. A life without worry is a life of abundance, a life well lived.
That which we focus our attention on expands. If we spend our mental energy worrying, it's difficult if not impossible to create great abundance.
Wait for Inspiration
Ironically, it's often the case that the best use of our time is to do absolutely nothing—to not act, to simply wait for an answer. But in our speeded up, frentic culture, most of us panic if we aren't actively doing something, even if that "something" isn't wise, productive, or useful. Most of us are so busy, or at least looking busy, that we can't see or hear our own wisdom.
Use the Power of Reflection
It's the opposite of "trying too hard," of forcing an answer. Reflection is more a matter of allowing an answer to unfold right before your eyes, often with little or no effort on your part.
One of the benefits of reflection is that it enables us to get our egos out of the way. In a quiet state of mind we are able to see things clearly, including our own contributions to problems, new ways of doing things, and the ways we get in our own way. Reflection allows us to sense our self-imposed limitations and some of the blind spots in our thinking.
Reflection is simply a matter of getting out of your own way. It's about quieting down your mind so that answers can arise within the quietness. Often, when we're looking for an answer, we "turn up the volume" of our thinking. For the most part, when we are actively thinking, we're thinking about that which we already know, that with which we are familiar. We try to solve a problem at the same level of understanding that initially created it. And often we go around in circles.
People who regularly use reflection, on the other hand, understand that we are connected to, and a part of, a deeper intelligence. This quiet source of wisdom is available to all of us in unlimited doses because it is always present. The only factor preventing us from hearing or being connected to this wisdom is the noise or chatter of our own thinking. When we turn the "volume" of our thinking down, we can begin to sense this deeper intelligence. This is reflection.
Although your mind will be quiet, it won't be turned off. Instead, you will be using a new part of your mind—a softer, wiser part-that understands the path of least resistance and the source of new answers. Success is often a function of doing something exceptionally well or more creatively than it has been done before. Reflection is a powerful vehicle to bring this about.
Laugh at Your Mistakes (and You Won’t Repeat Them)
If your energy is directed exclusively toward problems and concerns, that is what you will see and what you will tend to create. If your energy is abundant, however, your mind will be in a more creative mode-searching for solutions, seeing opportunities, building on strengths. Your mind will be open to suggestions to new and better ways of doing things. You will have a winning attitude.
In terms of expending energy, it is far more powerful to be in favor of something positive than to be against something negative— for peace instead of against violence, for excellence instead of against mediocrity.
A decision to make light of your mistakes, to remain lighthearted, doesn't mean you don't care or that you're not concerned with making an error. It simply means that you refuse to compound a problem by making a bigger deal out of something than is absolutely necessary. It means that you understand the value of keeping your perspective and sense of humor even in the face of adversity.
In every mistake there is the potential for growth. Inherent in every problem there is a solution. When you take the process too seriously, however, you interfere with your ability to see answers. The next time you make a mistake, instead of dealing with it in your usual way, chuckle at yourself instead. You will be surprised at how quickly and easily you are able to resolve the issue.
Take your lunch
If you stayed on the job for thirty years and substituted a $2 lunch for a $7.50 lunch at a local restaurant, the $5.50-per-day savings deposited in an investment club earning 8 percent over thirty years would amount to around $100,000.
Once you are thinking in terms of investing instead of spending, you can duplicate this process in other areas.
Ask for what you want
If it's so obviously helpful and important to ask for what we want, why do so few of us do it? Once again, the answer is fear. We worry about the outcome. We're afraid of rejection or a negative response. We might be worried about offending someone or being perceived of as weak, or of taking advantage of our relationship. We may feel we don't deserve help. For a multitude of reasons, we allow past negative experiences and/or our own made-up fears to taint our present opportunities.
The key in asking for something, large or small, is to be sincere in your belief that, deep down, others want to help you.
When you ask someone to help you, you are actually doing them a tremendous favor by giving them an opportunity to feel needed.
Short circuit your reaction spirals
All you really need is the wisdom to understand that negative reactions aren't in your best interest, and the humility and willingness to back off and start over.
Eliminate your most self-defeating belief
I remind myself that there is zero value in this, or any, self-defeating belief.
Make a commitment to yourself to stop reinforcing this—and all— negative beliefs by discussing them, or even thinking about them.
Don't give it your valuable attention. Save your energy for positive ideas and action.
Keep in mind that circumstances don’t make a person, they reveal him
When you argue for your limitations, your thoughts and words merely get in your way and greatly interfere with your ability to create.
Form a winning partnership
You may be the most talented person on earth, but until you hook up with a good partner, you may never truly unleash that talent.
Let go of fearful thoughts
Make a commitment that, for the next month, you will practice dropping and/or ignoring any negative and fearful thought that enters your mind. As fears come to your mind, gently but firmly let them go.
Think big!
It's very often the case that the people highest up the ladder are actually the easiest to speak to-and the most willing to help.
The fear you are experiencing is almost always self-created and usually unnecessary.
Make decisions with the advantage of long-term information instead of the disadvantage of short-term information
Know when to bet, when to hold, and when to fold
There are times when the best possible course of action is to do nothing other than hold on, do essentially nothing, be patient.
Wisdom is knowing when to do what. It's about being flexible and being willing to change, to flow. And while this may sound obvious, many people make the wrong choices simply because their mind is too busy.
Change what you can, accept the thinfs you can’t
The serenity prayer: "Lord, grant me the strength to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Stop complaining about taxes; focus, instead, on making so much money that taxes will seem irrelevant!
Develop relationships with people before you need something from them
People love to help those they know and trust.
Be aware of your unique “stacking order”
We have very unique temperaments regarding an optimal pace to work, how much we can handle, how much is "on our plate," or how many projects we can manage, at any given time.
Most of us operate as if everyone should work at the same pace and as if we should, or have to, work at someone else's level of activity.
Don’t panic
Remember, when something is falling, it rarely keeps falling. There are cycles in life.
I've never seen even a single instance where the panic actually helped to solve the problem. Instead, panic is neutral at best and greatly interferes at worst. Panic tends to bring out the worst in everyone. It makes others (and you) feel tense and fearful. It increases the likelihood of mistakes, missed opportunities, and miscommunication.
Nothing interferes with the creation of success and abundance like panic. When you make the commitment to stop panicking, you'll notice some incredible things happening. First, you'll notice that a vast majority of what you are most worried about will never happen, or it won't be as bad as you first thought. It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “Some terrible things happened in my lifetime—a few of which actually happened.” By avoiding the panic, you won't waste time, anxiety, and energy trying to solve what probably doesn't need solving. Second, when you learn to keep your bearings, your wisdom will come forth. In the absence of worry, answers will emerge. Instead of a head full of concerns, you'll create a head full of solutions. Finally, when you stay calm, you really do bring out the best in others. Many people react to the feelings of others. If you can maintain your bearings, chances are the people you work with will, too.
Create from the inside out
The single most important factor of success, abundance, and the creation of prosperity comes from within yourself-your thoughts.
As James Allen reminds us in As a Man Thinketh, “A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.”
In order to create external prosperity, you must first create thoughts of prosperity. You must see yourself as successful, play out your dreams and ambitions in your mind— successfully.
Successful people know that the one aspect of life that they do have control over is their own thinking.
Banish your doubt
It means you should start trusting in yourself, creating an inner knowing, an awareness that you have everything it takes to be an absolute winner, to make your dreams come true. The only true obstade lies within the doubt itself-and all doubt lies within your own thoughts.
It's silly to hold on to any doubt in your life. It does no good. All doubt is a waste of energy and interferes wich your natural ability to create the abundance and wealth that is your birth-right. Whatever doubts are lingering in your mind, let them go. I's far easier than you think, and will produce great rewards.
Know the secret of silence
The best answers come not from programmed, memory-based thinking but from the silence within.
Being silent doesn't shut down your mind, it only activates a deeper type of intelligence.
It's as if we get the benefit of "universal thought" instead of having to rely on our own limited thinking.
Sock away two years of living expenses
I heard a super-successful financial guru explain that the single most important thing he ever did for himself, prior to becoming rich, was to set aside two years of living expenses. Although it required enormous sacrifice, discipline, hard work, and patience—and although it took a full five years to save this much money—it paid enormous dividends, especially psychologically. Essentially, what it did was to give him enormous peace of mind, the freedom he needed to take risks that would be difficult, if not impossible, without this financial cushion. Very simply, socking away a few years of living expenses allowed him to avoid worry, to pursue dreams and interesting opportunities.
Unless you are extremely lucky, creating abundance usually involves at least some risk taking. However, if you are absolutely, completely dependent on a secure, regular salary, if you are fearful that you are a paycheck away from homelessness, you are probably going to dismiss many opportunities that come your way.
Give up your fear of disapproval
Our best chance of success is obtained through the elimination of fear.
If you change direction and do something because you truly love it, instead of because you think it's the "right thing to do," your path toward success might be closer than you ever dreamed possible.
Keep a list of bargain shopping places in your purse or wallet
The next time you need to get someone a gift you’ll get a huge discount and save a lot of money.
Don’t rely on too much data
Too much data can fill our heads with worrisome, fearful thoughts that keep us between where we are and where we want to be.
Find a mentor
It isn't necessary that you formalize your relationship by calling this person a "mentor," only that you have a mutual understanding that you are willing to sit down together or at least talk on the phone, on a somewhat regular basis- once a month, once every other month, whatever.
Delight in the success of others
The way to rise to the top is to wish everyone well, to hope with all your heart that everyone can expand to their greatest potential, to wish that the people you know, and those whom you don't know, can all realize their dreams and achieve greatness.
It's critical to know that there is plenty of success to go around. In fact, as people achieve their goals, the pie gets even bigger for the rest of us.
When you wish someone well, it creates a momentum within you, an inner environment of success. It reminds your spirit of your loving and deserving nature. It creates the atmosphere within you to help you succeed and create abundance.
Ask yourself, where is this decision likely to lead?
By asking this simple question, you can keep your energy directed in areas that will serve you and others well.
Remember the golden rule
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What goes around, comes around. As you treat others, so shall you be treated. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Become a thoughtful person. Offer assistance. Be nice. Reach out to others. Become even more generous. Say "Thank you." These, and hundreds of other similar little gestures, are the ways you can reach out and tell the world you care.
Ultimately, what you offer to the world is exactly what you get back. So, if your goal is to create a joyful life filled with abundance, the most important thing you can do is help others do the same.
Don't make the mistake of becoming upset or frustrated if your acts of kindness don't come back immediately. The universe has its own set of rules and its own sense of timing. Be patient and loving. If you are committed to the Golden Rule, it's only a matter of time before your life will be filled with everything you desire.
Don’t be frightened to ask for referrals
Generally speaking, people are frightened to ask for help. They would rather stay small but safe than take a risk and grow.
Ultimately, fear will be the downfall of most businesses. Again, to make money, it's critical that you don't worry.
Not all, but most people really want to help. Go ahead and ask. You'll be amazed at how quickly your business will grow!
Know that the idea “opportunity only knocks once” is a big myth
Let go of your fear. The universe has an infinite supply of opportunity. There is plenty to go around. You may be surprised to see that something is coming your way right now.
Look for expenditures that might be made cooperatively instead of individually
Each year you avoid wasting your money, it gives you more operating capital to create the abundance you desire.
Chances are, if you look carefully at what your needs actually are, you can save a small fortune by combining a few of your purchases with others. This will free up some needed capital, greatly reduce your waste, as well as your financial worry.
Shop carefully with your vacation dollars
The simple truth is, vacation homes are rarely used and tie up money that could be put to work elsewhere.
Decide carefully between a fixed and variable interest rate on your home mortgage
The decision to select a fixed-rate loan over a variable-rate loan is based mainly on worry, and may turn out to be the incorrect decision most of the time. Although there are no guarantees, if one makes a decision based on actual information instead of on fear, he or she will probably make a wiser decision.
Buy large deductible insurance
Generally speaking, you should always select the highest possible deductible that your insurer allows—and invest the difference in yourself. The less you worry, the more you save!
Since a vast majority of the things you fear the most will never actually happen, it works to your advantage to select the highest possible deductible on all insurance plans-therefore paying the lowest possible premiums. Then, be absolutely sure to invest the difference.
The consumer was far better off sticking the extended warranty premium into a rainy day account where it is likely never to be used. If, for some unlikely reason, you do suffer a loss, you'll still have the money available to make the necessary repairs. If not, you can use the money as a down payment the next time you purchase the item in question.
Whistle while you work