These are 3 of the funniest beliefs I think we have about money. Read them, enjoy them and reflect on them.
It’s not every day that someone challenges your beliefs… but that’s really what I want you to do – because by doing so, you’ll live a more fulfilled and satisfied life. As you read through these beliefs challenge yourself and look for the real truth.
Let’s start with…
Belief #1: I Must Work Harder to Make More Money
If you look at the way it really works – it’s that people who work the least get paid the most. If you take someone who works in a fabrication shop – like a welder, electrician or even a labourer and compare their salary to an engineer, who do you think gets paid more?
The engineer does. And what does an engineer do?
He sits on his ass all day. He may write a report or send a few emails, but most of the time he sits on his ass. Even if he decides to make a few phone calls or “engineer” something, he still sits on his butt.
Now what about the welder. He’s working in this fabrication shop sweating – lifting heavy steel – “putting his nose to the grind stone.” Any sort of trade is physical work – these guys and gals work hard at their job, but they still get paid less than an engineer.
Even an engineer has a ceiling on his salary – sure he or she could work longer hours – but they end up paying more tax.
So who really wins?
Working harder makes you sweaty, creates more stress in your life, leaves you “chasing the clock” and paying more taxes just so you can make an extra buck. Working harder is a losing strategy.
Takeaway #1: Working harder is not the key to making more money. If you want to get ahead financially, STOP working so hard. Take a nap and give your mind some “space” to be more creative. Work smarter, not harder.
Belief # 2: It Takes Money to Make Money
Who makes this stuff up? I’m going to guess you heard the same thing from your parents just like I did.
Sure, if you want to buy real estate or investments you need money. You need money if you want to invest in the stockmarket. If you want to make money that way – then you actually NEED money.
But what about all the other ways you can make money WITHOUT OWNING A SINGLE DIME.
Yes – it’s true!
Don’t be fooled. Take blogging for example. I started my first blog with ZERO dollars and it made money!!!
I even had a day where I made $300 in 12 hours – from a site that didn’t cost me a dime. That opened my mind – and gave me an even better idea – that I could make even more money working from home!!
How cool is that?
So the question is not where can I spend money to make more money – a much better questions is: what idea will I use to make my next $50, $500, $5,000 or $500,000 without spending any cash at all?
Do you need money to make money?
Absolutely not!
There are hundreds of ways to make money without spending any of your own money. Entrepreneurs know this. All you need is a great idea. An idea that will either support or help people in some way.
That’s how I make money. Take this entire website for example: freedomeducation.ca. This site makes money from:
- ebooks
- audio books
- training programs
- affiliates
- advertising
- my coaching fees
What a great idea, right?
I thought so too, that’s why I started it!!
Start with an idea you’re passionate about. You don’t need money to start – you just need an idea. Tag your idea along with some energy, enthusiasm, passion and you’ll be well on your way. That’s what it will cost you.
Takeaway #2: You don’t need money to make money. You can make money with a great idea. All you need is energy, enthusiasm and passion to get started. (HINT: A great idea will GIVE YOU energy, enthusiasm and passion – but you gotta start!)
Belief #3: Having More Money Will Make Me Happy
OMG!
Are you kidding?
Would you like to know the real truth?
Last year I was broke. I was just below the poverty line – not my words – but my dads words. I was skimping for change to pay for groceries and my line of credit was growing faster than I could pay it off.
But guess what?
I was the happiest dude around. Even though I was broke I was still very happy and excited about what I was creating – because it was on my terms, I was self directed and I was working in a business that I love.
This year I’m making $100k+ and I’m still happy – but the happiness was there well before the money showed up.
Does money make you happy?
Not even close. It makes you comfortable. It gives you choices and freedom, but it doesn’t make you happy.
Choose to be happy and you’ll be happy – regardless if you have the money or not.
Takeaway #3: Money does not make you happy. Money gives you choices and freedom, but it does not make you happy. You CHOOSE to be happy and you’ll be happy.
Steve
P.S. If you find a spelling or grammar mistake – tell me! I won’t be offended ;)
15 Comments
Tim
April 14, 2011Steve, this is great. Thanks for the great reminders about false beliefs about money!
I’m really impressed that you were able to go from being below the poverty line and living off your line of credit last year to making $100K + this year.
How did you do it? Did your blog income suddenly take off? Or did you get some other source of income?
Steve
April 14, 2011Hey Tim – it’s crazy really.
I’ve had opportunities to do consulting and that has really taken off – this blog is doing awesome and so is the bloggingforcoaches blog that I started last year – all these projects combined have had a net effect that is truly awesome and I’m excited to see what happens over the next 6 months… whatever you’re feeling Tim, go for it!!
c
April 14, 2011“He sits on his ass all day. He may write a report or send a few emails, but most of the time he sits on his ass. Even if he decides to make a few phone calls or “engineer” something, he still sits on his butt”.
This is just so unbelievably judgmental and small minded I don’t know where to start. Ignoramuses, start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering
I suggest you read the whole thing, then decide if you want to print such crap in the future.
Steve
April 14, 2011You know that saying, “that the best laughter is when you can laugh at yourself,” I think that applies here…
Steve
P.S. Btw – I’m still licensed as a Professional Engineer…
Isaakidis Tinia
April 15, 2011Thank you for the reminders and to the point expression. You are my pad on the back since I aubscribed to your mailing list. Something much appreciated since ppl and media in my country Greece have only negative attitudes to provide atm.
Tim
April 15, 2011Cool. What sort of consulting do you do? I was an I.T. consultant a few years back, but it didn’t work out.
Is your consulting work related to your blogs?
Anil G
April 15, 2011Hi Steve,
This thing about in which profession one can make more money is really hair bending stuff.
Here in India I work for a leading US Consultancy firm and I am an Engineer. There is this guy selling tea/coffee opposite our office who doesn’t have any formal education.
Yet he earns in a month almost half my total yearly income. I am not sure how this happens . Maybe you can throw some light.
Best,
Anil
Steve
April 15, 2011Hey Tim – I do engineering consulting and I do blog consulting – I do both!!
Steve
P.S. Anil – I have no idea how the tea business works, but I do know that there are only so many ways you can earn more money: 1. Get paid more per hour 2. Build a business that you OWN and earns money while you’re doing something else 3. Invest in assets (i.e. real estate) that makes you money while you’re doing something else (#2 & #3 being passive income)…. I’m sure there are more that I’m unaware of, but here’s the KEY: what I have found is that opportunities to create wealth don’t “show-up” for people unless they have a prosperity consciousness… these wealth building opportunities just doesn’t enter your bubble of reality – they CAN’T!!
Anil G
April 15, 2011Hey Steve,
Thanks so much for the valuable input . Just one question , how do I develop “prosperity consciousness” ? Thank you in anticipation.
Anil
P.S – Tea Business = Buys Tea leaves and milk from the market , boils tea leaves , milk in water , sells it over the counter :)
darryl
April 15, 2011Steve,
Two things. You qualify your rebuttal to “c” with “Btw – I’m still licensed as a Professional Engineer…”. Well, since I’m writing my P. Eng exam tomorrow, I thought I’d toss around a few items I’ve been studying. Part of retaining your P. Eng designation requires you to adhere to the P.E.O Act. I’ll throw one out for you: “A Practitioner [that’s you, big guy] shall endeavour AT ALL TIMES to enhance the public regard for the practitioner’s profession by extending the public knowledge thereof and discouraging untrue, unfair or exaggerated statements with respect to Professional Engineering” [General R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 941, 77.2.i] and “…to act at all times with fairness and loyalty to the practitioner’s associates, employers, clients, etc…” [General R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 941, 77.1.i]. Looks like you don’t care about either, and since you are so fearless, I figure I’d see how the PEO feels about your public violation of both clauses of the act (keep your eyes peeled for a formal letter from them regarding your “Btw – I’m still licensed as a Professional Engineer…”. Second, I firmly believe that I derive more humour from laughing at your unfounded and weak “sticks and stones” rebuttals then laughing at myself (which I assure you I can do), but frankly I can’t come near the level of self-delusion you have successfully developed over the years. As much as I’d LOVE to make a living pulling the wool over the eyes of unsuspecting sheep, I do have some degree of integrity that I need pride in the value of my true work. It’s like exercising a muscle–it just feels better when it’s strained. So I respect honest, hard work, and I respect those who have the will to express the same. Well, my little friend, I don’t want to atrophy, so I’ll end it here, and get back to real value-added work that is a productive benefit to society. “To your Misrepresentation!” I mean, “Inspiration!”
c
April 16, 2011darryl, I’ve decided I’m quite ok with Steve saying what he did, since he’s an Engineer himself. I think the point he was making (correct me if I’m wrong Steve) is that qualifications are not as important as people think when it comes to making money, and I agree with that. And I’ve dismounted from my high horse!
Steve
April 16, 2011Hey Anil – the Tea Business sounds very lucrative :)
With almost 300 posts and videos on this blog – you’ll find plenty of resources on how to create a prosperity conscious – I suggest you start by going through the topics on Wealth & Prosperity.
Anil G
April 16, 2011Steve,
Many Thanks.
-Anil
Alice Hive
April 22, 2011I actually had to laugh about #2. “Who makes this stuff up?” I always asked that myself.
I also made the same experience that money doesn’t make one happy. I had a few periods in the last months were I was dead broke and didn’t know where to get something to eat. Still I was incredibly happy at the same time!
Steve
April 22, 2011I know exactly what you mean Alice :D
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