We have now entered a season of change. However, aside from our home values dropping, expenses rising, and our investments shrinking, the change has not been good. After electing Barrack Obama, finally some positive change is coming--- but it’s not here yet. I find myself and many others, feeling insecure about the future for our families. Will we be able to cover the mortgage, create an emergency fund or provide for our children? I find fear creeping in and overtaking our thoughts. Even if our jobs are secure, there are so many other factors that can cause financial distress that most of us are one illness away from losing everything. So we must fight and attack these thoughts. Our minds are too powerful that even our thoughts, if focused on the wrong things, can destroy our confidence. The key is in focusing on what we do want and not on what we don’t. This is really hard. But if you want to best protect your assets, you must first protect your mind. One way to attack fear head on, is to do the following exercise:

On a sheet of paper, draw a line down the center and list all of the current fears you have. Everything! All the negative chatter in your head that has been nagging you day and night, causing lost sleep and anxiety. For example “I can’t pay my bills, I owe everyone money, I can’t get a job . . . etc. These items may be reality for you, but we are more interested in bringing positive change. Before you can act on something you must visualize what you want in detail. On the other side of your list take each negative item and change it to a positive statement. This is where real change comes in.

Taking the earlier examples, here is a sample:

I can’t pay my bills!
New statement: I pay my bills in full and still have all this money!

I owe everyone money!
New statement: I live a debt-free life!

I can’t get a job!
New statement: I have a job that pays me well and makes me feel good!

Your assignment: Pick an affirmation you created. One that you really want to bring into your reality. Say it in the morning and before you go to bed. Now I don’t care how you choose to say it. Write it down, say it out loud, say it in front of the mirror, but please affirm it to yourself. Next visualize what your life would be like if you lived this statement. How would you feel inside?

Close your eyes and enjoy these feelings until you are satisfied. If you are in a difficult place emotionally and find it hard to feel it, then smile with your eyes closed! This is an easy way to modify your mood. Smile big, and show some teeth! I’m pulling for you. Cause’ when you win, I win, we all win.

Until next time,

Boni