The Law of
Attraction & Tough Financial Times
by Joan
Sotkin
There are days when it seems like
the whole financial world is falling apart. There are also days when
the market goes up and you can feel optimism building among
investors. For the average person, however, things look
difficult--and at times impossible.
A problem for those who want to
improve their finances during tough economic times lies in
maintaining a mindset that allows for wealth building. When fear
abounds, tuning into it is easy. Stepping out of fear and into
hopeful optimism takes some effort.
The Law of Attraction states that
what you manifest reflects your thoughts. And the authors of The
Secret stress the importance of maintaining positive thoughts and
focusing on what you want, not what you don't have.
Along with your thoughts, the
emotions they stimulate are the creative force behind what you
manifest. So staying in a positive frame of mind and having positive
expectations for the future are essential for success, no matter
what's going on around you.
How can you do this? Here are some
suggestions.
1. Stay focused in the moment,
not on the future.
Fear can easily be stimulated when
you start making conclusions about what will happen to you "if"
-
when "if" hasn't happened yet. The future is just a guess from the
perspective of the present.
Common thoughts might include, "If
I run out of money, then . . . ." or "If I can't pay my mortgage,
then . . . " Those thoughts usually lead to uncomfortable feelings
and dire predictions.
When the fear comes up, switch
your focus from the future to the current moment. Ask yourself the
following questions:
* At this moment, do I have enough
to eat?
* At this moment, do I have a place to live?
* At this moment, am I free to take action?
2. Switch from fear to gratitude.
Look around you and see what you
have and express gratitude for all the things you have and have been
enjoying. Take a deep breath, say to yourself, "I am grateful for
______," and generate the feeling of gratitude while you do this.
Every time fear comes up, do this exercise.
3. Imagine some possible positive
outcomes.
Do some creative thinking. Your
self-talk might include: Even though I am facing more expenses than
I can handle, I could take some action. If I decide to _____ (fill
in a possible action), then I can generate the money that I need (Or
make arrangements with my creditors, or be safe for another month,
or _____. You fill in the blank.)
Keep in mind that no matter what
is going on around you, there are always opportunities for making
money. You may have to behave in a way that is new for you, but the
consequences of this new behavior could lead to a better way of
living for you--one that is comfortable and secure. But you have to
imagine it first.
4. Stay in touch with your feelings.
Tough times present a great
opportunity for getting in touch with deep, unexpressed feelings.
Dialog with yourself to find out what you are really afraid of. Ask
yourself, "When I get beyond the fear, what am I feeling?"
Are you feeling alone? Ashamed?
Angry? Deprived? Trapped? Probably one or all of these. I can
guarantee that whatever you are feeling, it isn't the first time you
have had these emotions. By paying attention, you can now release
the old emotions you are carrying
around with you.
To help you with this, I
suggest one or more of the following:
Build Your Money Muscles, especially Exercise 3 and Exercise 7.
Healing Your Financial Shame
Let Go of the Aloneness Blocking Your
Prosperity
Be Set Free Fast
Teaches you how to do deep emotional releases and
alter uncomfortable emotional states.
© 2008 Joan Sotkin (Reprinted with permission)
** Please stop by Joan Sotkin's website for timely
information about you and money:
www.prosperityplace.com.