Financial Zip

This post is all about taking initiative.If you notice in life those that have the good job, who have financial independence, who are succeeding in life don’t wait around for things to happen. The make things happen. You have to understand that how you respond to things is your choice, no one else, solely yours.

The best example of this was Victor Frankl. He was a Jewish psychiatrist that was imprisoned in Nazi Germany. His family was killed and he had nobody. In the depths of the torture he experienced, he came to a realization. That although he was in the midst horrible circumstances he had the ability to choose his response to it all. He could have been bitter and ugly about it but he choose to be positive in the face of certain torture and death. He would use his imagination to project circumstances that more were more appealing. Eventually the war ended and he was released.

The point of his story is we have a choice. I have talked to many people who are in financial peril who feel like they don’t have a chance in the world to lead a good life. A financially free life. Well sorry to say in many ways they are choosing to have that attitude. They choose to react to their circumstances that way.
In 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen covey gives the example of the Circle of Concern and Circle of Influence. Circle of Concern are those things that we have no control over (people, the weather, etc…) Circle of Influence are those things that we can control. Your challenge and really everyone’s challenge is to increase their circle of Influence. If you do that you will begin to see changes in your in life.
So what are some basic ways that you can change your Circle of Influence?

1. Language.

One of the things I notice is people’s language. People who are that way are not successful they tend to use the words like can’t or “if I had” and generally just complain about stuff. If only I had more money etc… An exercise to try is use more positive language in your life words like I believe, I can ,or I will; these words have more of a positive impact on you and will help you change they way you think about things.

2. Change Your Attitude.

As your language changes your attitude and ability to get things done will change. Always focus on the positive things. Do not dwell on the negative. This will sabotage your efforts to change.

3. Take some Initiative.

Once you begin to change your attitude self confidence will improve. As this happens begin to look for opportunities to be proactive. If its at work, let your boss know you would like to help him with some projects or take on more responsibility, or if you are trying to get out of debt form a financial plan that will help you get out of debt.

The world tends to reward those people who help themselves. These are usually are people that are looking for opportunities to improve. They are the proactive people of the world. Change your life take the initiative to do so.