We all know that you can’t buy happiness. But…
Money eliminates UNhappiness.
At least for the basic costs to support yourself and your family.
So, if your basic needs are met, what then?
Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks says there are four pillars on which a happy life is built:
- Friendship
- Family
- Faith (this does not have to be religious)
- Fulfilling Work
I love this list because it’s a quick checklist I can run through my head when I am making a decision.
If my choice doesn’t fall into one of these categories, I’m not getting the most bang for my buck.
A lot of happy feelings can be built ON these pillars: Gratitude, self-care, giving, goal achieving, accountability, kindness, meaningful relationships, buying a boat, etc.
But without the foundation of these pillars, everything feels a bit unbalanced.
When I am feeling like something is missing in my life, I ask myself, “Where is my tank a little low… friendship, family, faith or fulfilling work?”
Give it a try.
You have heard it all.
Eat less, move more.
Spend less, invest more.
Life can only be lived in the moment you are experiencing.
Blah, blah, blah. Sigh.
But knowing and doing are two separate things.
It is applying what you know that trips most people up.
Why aren’t you doing what you know you should do?
Doing what you want to do?
Doing what you said you would do?
Inertia is real.
If a goal of yours comes to mind, what is one small, teeny thing you could do to move in that direction?
What could get the ball rolling if only a hundredth-of-an-inch in the direction you want?
That might be all it takes to create forward motion.
But if you still feel stuck…
What is holding you back from doing what you know to do?
Does it seem too hard?
Do you have to get uncomfortable to take the next step?
Are you in confusion?
Are you waiting for the next right step to magically appear before you commit?
If you can’t think of what to do, or if you don’t know what is stopping you, hop on a call with me. I am trained to spot what is keeping you from applying all of your wisdom to your life.
I think you will be surprised.
You talk. BOOM… I spot it.
Some times it seems like a scary-good superpower.
Maybe all you need is 30 minutes with a coach to hit reset and have a clear action step to take towards your goal.
You know what to do. Let me help you apply it to your life.
When money seems to be a problem… whether there doesn’t seem to be enough, or there is too much… remember that money flows both ways.
If you don’t have enough, instead of holding tight to every last penny, try letting money flow out.
Give a little something to someone else.
Or try this: Give something to yourself. And then receive it joyfully.
It works best if you give yourself something that you enjoy on a sensory level.
Our brains tend to calm down the fight or flight response if we feel the gift through one of our five senses, then receive it in a thankful, joyful way.
If your problem involves too much money, try receiving from others.
Accept money. Accept help.
It’s a bit like a sticky window shade… you have to pull down before it can roll up.
Make sure your faucet isn’t clogged.
Money flows both ways.