Do you have hidden biases that prevent you from making money?

Everyone looked up when she walked in the room. She had a certain air about her. Dressed in her white power suit with her neatly coiffed hair and a smile on her face like she had a secret that only she knew.

I disliked her from the get go. I could feel the expression on my face change as if I were looking in a mirror - eyes half closed and sarcastic lifting of the lip.

Then BAM!!! Common sense took over and I recognised my reaction for what it was. Envy!!! I was jealous of her. I'll be darned. I hadn't even met her yet and I didn't like her. Obviously I have issues but that's ok. what matters is that I enjoy challenging my own assumptions particularly when those assumptions include any misinformation about money.

My heart rests with the folks like me whose early education caused them to develop a set of flawed assumptions around money that negatively impacted them in life. Our early foundations set the course for us in life. Some folks grow up in homes where money is given the respect it deserves. Others grow up with unwarranted disdain toward money and everyone associated with it.

Social conditioning is a powerful thing.

My reaction to Ms. Power Suit wasn't based in logic, they were based in outdated and useless assumptions.

I have tools in my box to deal with these moments - moments of envy that now and again raise their ugly heads and cause me to react like this. They are the tools that anyone who has ever had to change their mind holds. They're the tools that let us challenge our assumptions and when it comes to money - it's a tool that I will keep nearby.

If you suspect that, like me, you have hidden biases against money, know this:


1. Money in and of itself has no character traits. It is neither good nor bad. It has a neutral quality. Making  money does not make you a good or bad person.

2. If you're extreme in your saving or your spending, you may want to look at your own assumptions around money. Those assumptions will get in the way of creating wealth.

3. If you're not sure how you feel, listen to the 5 people closest to you. Yep, like it or not, their beliefs usually mirror your own. That being said - as you change your mind, you will change your friends because it is difficult to be with folks who don't share your values. True dat.

Money doesn't grow on trees but it does grow. Mindset matters and mindset is not a fixed entity. You can change your mind and in my experience all success starts there.

Entrepreneurs: Give your Family some #HolidayLove

They met in high school and got married after they graduated from university. Their first child was born the following year. Amanda decided to stay home and Cyril got a full time job making very good money.

Four years into their marriage, Cyril lost his job. After an exhaustive job search, they agreed that going into business was probably a good idea. Moving out of the province didn't appeal to them. They love the lifestyle here at home.

Cyril quickly learned that an entrepreneur's life has its highs and lows. When things are good, they're great, and then there are the dry spells. This year has been a tough one. Tough business years make it more important that he spend time away from home out networking. He has 7 Christmas events in December alone. He generally enjoys them, but he feels guilty spending time away from the family. Amanda sees all the posts on Facebook where he's really enjoying himself.

While Cyril looks forward to the peace that a holiday break will bring, Amanda has the 'Friday night blues'. She's looking forward to spending time visiting friends and family, and socialising with her husband.

See the challenge?

Meet Harold. After 30+ years in business, Harold has seen it all. The lifestyle has taken a toll on Harold - single now, he accepts responsibility for that. Recently he shared this nugget of wisdom. "Make family and friends a priority when you can. Don't spend so much time creating a life that you forget to live it."

Take time during the holidays to appreciate the folks who have your back. They make sacrifices, too.

During the holiday season, enjoy the peace, fun and love of family and friends. Wishing you much prosperity in 2016.

Cul-de-sac

Seth Godin describes a cul-de-sac, in his book The Dip, as a place where "you work and you work and you work and nothing much changes".  For me that was around 4 years ago. I went into business because I couldn't find work and was trying to figure out what I could teach. Recently divorced, I wrote a book on dating and held some workshops on meeting someone new.

My heart wasn't in it at all. It didn't go anywhere. There's no comparison between the passion I have for the work that I do now and how I felt back then. I was in a different space - a cul-de-sac. It was a waste of time and money - we can't undo it. Next time, walk away sooner - Thanks Seth for reminding me.

Morning Ritual - Start with the End in Mind

Do you have a morning ritual? Morning rituals get your day off to the right start.

After a meditation, I grab a coffee and a piece of art paper and some coloured markers. I imagine myself at the end of my day looking back over the day. In the centre of the paper, I write "It was a fantastic day.

I change colours often as I write what it is that made my day fantastic. Like tentacles on an octopus my paper becomes filled with things that I have accomplished today. Your list will look different than my list.Then I get up and I get 'er done. What kind of day will you have today?