Over the last six years I’ve been teaching financial literacy. It’s a good place to bait people in to their real driving desire to be more and connect with inner peace and knowing. The driving force for wealth isn’t what you think it is.
In fact, I’ve interviewed countless millionaires who really have no clue how they made their money. They give a cliché, “I was in the right place at the right time”, or “I worked hard”. But, always, always they have a core set of values and beliefs about what it is that makes them, successful.
This isn’t a Think and Grow Rich lesson. If you haven’t read the book or even if you have, I suggest reading Napoleon’s best book –in my humble opinion- Grow Rich with Peace of Mind. The idea that prevails in both is meant to affect change in your mind. To write a new story about what money is.
As with everything in the real world money is simply an atom. The difference for me and you and Donald Trump, or Billionaire Charlie Munger is our personal story that defines it, defines money in our mind, and ultimately in our lives.
What is your money story? What were you taught about money? And, is it true? That last bit is a trick question of sorts. Your experience is made up of the stories you keep. And, so whatever your story is, it is true for you. When you look back at your life you will see that your dominant story is the one that shapes your life.
If you look at Charlie Munger or Donald Trump their stories also shape their experience of life. NOT all rich people work 85 hour work weeks like the Donald. His story tells him he must – and so it is true.