Money Magnifies Who You Already Are

Many people spend their lives thinking of all the things they could do, or how much better their lives would be if only they had more money. They allow this sense of a lack of money to dictate the reason they never strive for what they really want in life, and it is common among the modern human population to cite a lack of money as one of their main reasons for not being happy. Societal pressures, such as the media, have conditioned us to believe that money is the best way to solve most of our problems. Have you ever heard a person say ‘just throw some money at the issue’? We genuinely think that money solves our problems, but what we don’t realise is that money is just another form of resource: it doesn’t define or change you, instead it magnifies who you already are.

Money in and of itself does not make anyone truly good or bad. Instead it works like an amplifier of your current character. So, with money, selfish people become more selfish, and generous people become more giving. People who are kind become kinder, and people who are cruel become even more so. The happy become even happier and the sad people become more miserable. Money is a resource of life, an amplifying energy that expands you as you already are.

When people say that money is the root of all evil, the more accurate conclusion is that the evil already exists and that money will feed the evil. The same is true for time. If you have an unhealthy relationship with time, suddenly having more of it won’t allow you to achieve what you say you want to achieve. Instead, it will fuel whatever is already present. If you use your time and money wisely, they can help you live a better life. If you are careless with them, they can destroy your life and who you are as a person. As the saying goes: money can be a good servant or a sadistic master, the choice is ultimately yours.

In this sense, the evil we are referring to is the character trait that we wish to adjust, such as a fear of intimacy, neediness or lack of confidence. These are all issues that can be remedied and transformed with appropriate self-parenting. If you refuse to self-parent, and you refuse to take responsibility for your own feelings or your personal growth, your financial situation will readily reflect this back to you in the form of emotional spending or an inability to make more money than you spend.

For example, if you are a self confessed ‘shopaholic’ then it doesn’t matter how much money you have, you will always find a way to spend it. If you are a compulsive gambler then you will just keep raising your bids higher and higher in relation to that amount of money that you have. So in a way it doesn’t really matter how much money you make because if you do not have healthy boundaries with your inner child, then you’re always going to live above your means.

Money will never solve your personal issues; personal growth will. Money will never repair a poor character; self responsibility and accountability will. Money will not buy you good manners, loyal friends, a loving family, romantic love, patience, confidence, security, peace of mind, or wisdom; it is your decision to master your life and shed light on your dark spaces that will do it. Money will not solve your insecurities, anger, impatience, lack of self confidence or bad attitude; self parenting solves these challenges.

So, where to start? Here are a few practical tips in relation to money:

1. Save 1% of all your income. Put it aside immediately when it comes in, and use this commitment to saving money to learn, restore and confirm your self respect. Everyone can afford 1% – if you can’t then you need to rebudget and cut down on your unnecessary purchases, or “wants”. Once you solidify yourself at the 1% increase it to 2, 3, 5 etc. By looking at the number in the account you are witnessing your change in real time.
2. Have patience with yourself: this is not a one-off event. Commit to this exercise for 3 months, and then organise some small reward for yourself (within your budget, of course).
3. If you fail, it does not mean that you as a person are a failure, but that you failed at this particular exercise. Separate the behaviour from the person and recommit to another 3 months.
4. At the end of the 3 months, review your situation and make another commitment, maybe with an increased percentage or increased amount of time.

Similarly for time:
Again, put aside 1% of your day to focus on the activities that will help you achieve your
goals. That works out as only 15 minutes in a day. Find that time, whether it means getting out of bed 15 minutes earlier, dedicating a section of your lunch break, giving up a TV show or some social media time. Find that time in your day and book it in your diary! Mark it down like
you would a medical appointment! As with money, commit to this exercise for 3 months,
and repeat.

After all, you are your own biggest asset when it comes to time, health, wealth and
happiness. Make sure that you make your precious life on this earth matter FOR YOU.
Invest in the development of your character. Make the most of your time here.
What will you be remembered for?

Want to learn more?

Discover Your Personal Genius