Actions and Attitudes and Fiscal Fitness

Henry Ford once asked one of his young automotive engineers, "What is your life ambition?" The young man said, "I want to become very rich." A couple of days later, Ford approached the engineer and instructed him to put on a pair of glasses, which instead of having glass lenses had silver dollars in the frame. Then he asked the engineer, "What do you see?" "Nothing," the guy replied.

Having made his point, the auto giant said, "Then maybe you should rethink that ambition of yours." The man had money right in front of his eyes, but he couldn't see it.

Making money is not just about doing things; it's about how you see yourself-and being the person it takes to earn it. If you want the flexibility to come and go as you please and the mobility to go anywhere you want, you must be financially fit.

Some people have jobs that demand a lot of time and travel. Others have the financial ability to go wherever they want, but they don't have the time. For example, physicians are frequently on call twenty-four hours a day. They carry beepers with them wherever they go. No matter where they are, they must respond-and usually end up dropping everything to attend to a patient. I have several physician friends, and because of their dedication and commitment, they cannot-or will not-leave their practice for any length of time because it would mean leaving their patients.

In one instance, both the husband and wife were respected medical doctors and practiced in different hospitals. Their professional lives were fabulous, but their personal relationships and family situation were in a shambles-there was no balance in their lives.

Another friend is chained to his business. He said to me one day, "I feel like I am on a runaway freight train-I can't get off. I don't have the time to do the things I really want to do, because this business is taking all my time." Because he is such an integral part of that business, he can't take time off.

There is a better way. You can avoid being trapped in a similar situation if you apply correct principles, both in the way you choose to earn more money and in becoming the person you need to be.

When it comes to making money, there is no limit to what you can do-if you truly want it with all your heart. At one time or another, I suspect we've all wondered where the money would come from. I've certainly been there before. But I also know that you can turn a bad situation around.

TEN TIPS FOR FISCAL FITNESS
To achieve maximum fiscal fitness, you must:

1. Want to make more money so badly that you will do whatever it takes-for as long as it takes-to make it happen. If you are compelled by Core Desires, you will have this attitude.
2. Love what you are doing. Many people only love part of what they do.
3. Believe in your product and service and know your field.
4. Believe that you are worth listening to. This instills confidence in others about you and what you are doing. You are worth listening to on the day you decide you are.
5. See yourself as a leader, someone worth following.
6. Find mentors to emulate-not only do what they do but be like them.
7. Be teachable. Learn whatever your mentors are willing to teach you, and don't be stubborn.
8. Believe that every problem has a solution, and no problem is big enough to stop you.
9. Get out of your comfort zone and take risks.
10. Acquire, and present, an air of confidence in yourself and whatever you do