Wealth Building in Trying Time

Wealth Building in Trying Times

By Herbert Harris 

 As we listen to the news, we get a sense of trying times that move from crises to crises.

However, where there are crises, there is always opportunity. While many live paycheck to paycheck, or have too much month at the end of the money, there are certain people who seem to prosper and get wealthy in the midst of recessions, depressions, and trying times.

What is their secret? Do they have special talents that we do not possess? How is wealth building in trying times any different from wealth building in prosperous times?

In trying times, your back may be against the proverbial wall. You’ve got to get results. Failure is not an option.

My dad - when things got rough - used to say, “Herbert, when times are tight, you’ve gotten to straighten up and fly right.” Translation - you’ve got to be clear about where you’re going, and how you’re going to get there.

Over the years, as I faced the trying times that periodically occurred, I put aside my pride and sought counsel from those who seemed to weather life’s storms and in fact grow wealthier in times of apparent adversity. I was persistent in seeking them out and refused to let them not talk to me. They respected my persistence and shared their wisdom.

This is what I learned:

Nine Steps to Building Wealth

1. Take responsibility for your life and affairs.

We are where we are in life because of our thoughts, emotions, associations and behaviors. The first step to wealth building is to take complete responsibility for your present situation. Your upbringing, race, education all have an impact on your present situation. However, you choose the way you respond and thus have ownership of the outcome. The Bible says, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” We are where we are as a result of the choices we have made. Affirm daily, If it’s to be, it’s up to me.

2.      Realize that everything begins in thought.

“A man shall have whatsoever he thinketh in his heart.” So, don’t thinketh anything that you don’t want. In order to create wealth in trying times, we must think wealth, and, more importantly, feel wealth. We must also change our frame of reference from trying times to exciting times. If your bills aren’t paid, and your job is shaky, these are truly exciting times.

Reprogram you life perspective from, “These are trying times filled with numerous crises” to “These are exciting times, filled with great opportunities.”

3.      Write your vision.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Conversely, “where there is a vision, the people prosper.” To create wealth in exciting times, we must set aside the current distractions of lack of money, lost of jobs, foreclosure and endless examples of lack and limitation. We must develop a vision of what wealth means to us on a very detailed and personal basis.  

Take time to sit quietly, meditate, and visualize exactly what wealth means to you. See it, feel it, touch it, smell it. Describe it, in writing, completely, concisely and in great detail. Own your vision.

4.    Make necessary changes in your life.

We must make the changes in our thoughts, emotions, associations and behaviors that will support and make us congruent with our vision. Replace fear with faith. For example, replace fear of losing your job with faith that your boss can’t do without you and act accordingly. Replace fear of losing your home or being unable to pay your bills, with faith that you can develop a budget and create a way to save your home and pay your bills. After all, isn’t faith the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Put your faith to work.

5.    Build a team.

Since these are exciting times, shouldn’t you have the benefits of counsel with people who know more than you do? As my dad implied, people who know more than you do about a particular matter can help you “fly right.”

Nobody knows everything about anything. Surround yourself with people who have expertise in the areas you need to realize your vision.

President Obama set a magnificent example of surrounding himself with capable people who complimented and supported his vision. Listen to and be guided by the advice of your team members.

6.      Make a written plan.

The most important element in realizing your vision is the formulation and execution of a definite, practical plan that works. Using the expertise and assistance of your team members, write a detailed plan for realizing your vision.

Commit to the execution of that plan and get busy.

7.      Take continuous action.

Diligently follow your written plan. Live every day with commitment and passion for the realization of your vision. Don’t stop for rest and reward too soon. As your efforts begin to produce rewards and results, work even harder. Success and achievement come only thorough continuous work. The only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary.

8.      Monitor your progress.

Constantly monitor the productiveness of your plan on a daily basis. As your plan works, double your efforts for greater results. If it is not working, collectively develop a new plan. Give each plan sufficient time to produce results. Be willing to up your game and put in more time, money and energy. Use the power of collaborative action to energize your progress.

9.    Don’t quit.

To quit demonstrates your own lack of belief in yourself. You must out-last your competition. In the exciting times that we are presently experiencing, there are many who will be overwhelmed by the negative news, employment or foreclosure statistics. Be not one of them. Your belief in your vision is the fuel that will sustain you and give wings to your vision.

“Come to the cliff,” He said.

“We are afraid,” they said.

Come to the cliff, he said

They came. He pushed them,

And they flew.

For the cliff of opportunity was disguised as crises.

 © Copyright 2009, LifeSkill Institute, Inc., PO Box 302, Wilmington, NC 28402; 910-251-0665

Based on The Twelve Universal Laws of Success, Second Edition, ISBN 0-9748362-1-4 a new book by Herbert Harris, available at Amazon.com, Atlas Books, or through the www.lifeskillinstitute.org. Visit www.12uls.com to learn how to get a Bonus Copy of "How to Study" Call (800) 570-4009 to order books. Visit our website for weekly success message and download Twelve Affirmations To Live By Poster.

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