Ten Million Dollars

by Laura Interval

Is the lack of money an excuse for you? Are you not living your life to the fullest because you don't have the funds you wish you had? Beware . . . it's a trap.

A mindset of lack will bring more of just that . . . lack. If you operate from the perception that you are "poor", the Universe will believe you and treat you accordingly. The line between what is and what will be can only be blurred by your mindset.

You've just won ten million dollars! Now, what do you do?

In goal setting, I use this question as a starting point. So often I find that people are "stuck", holding themselves back by their own perceptions of their financial standings. They can not even allow themselves to dream of, much less operate as if they have achieved financial freedom. Therefore, their goals and vision of their future remain lackluster and compromised.

The point is to go beyond these limitations . . . push your imagination . . . reallfeel financial freedom and what it would mean to you. The answers are often surprising and more importantly, relevant to the reality of your life right now.

So, take a minute and answer the ten million dollar question. Grab a pen and paper . . . engage your imagination . . . and allow yourself to dream beyond any limitations you may percieve. Jot down a few answers as you go.

The scenario: you are given 10 million dollars.

Ok… Obviously that would generate a lot of excitement for you at first. You might be thinking "I could pay off my house, or take a trip around the world, buy my dad a new car, I could give money to my favorite charity", etc . . . But after the pure excitement wore off, after the financial aspects of 10 million dollars were revealed and resolved, what would you do?

Not what you should do…. Not what you would hope you would do… but, what would you REALLY do?

I'm talking about the freedom that the money would give you, the freedom to live your life your own way.

It's 3 months later, you've travelled, you've paid off your debts. You wake up in the morning, you have your coffee and think to yourself…"what do I want to do today?"

What's your answer? What would naturally occur to you to do?

Jot down what came into your mind first. Would you buy an easel and start painting? Would you write a novel? Would you want to start an animal shelter?

It's a valuable question with an invaluable answer.

You are financially secure.

How do you use your time?

What would you do now that you don't have to make money at it?

And my absolute favorite question: What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."

- David Frost

Take a good look at your answers. What you wrote down here is what you would do with no fear. It's what your natural, "authentic" self would engage in . . . without limitations, without obstacles.

I know for some this question can be hard to answer. You may picture yourself at that place I describe with all the money you could hope for, but still be at a loss for the answer. "I've been a salesman all my life" you might say, "I really don't know what I would do if I didn't sell."

Now that's great if you're extremely happy selling! But, for many people their job becomes their identity and it can be difficult to separate the two.

It is extremely important that you separate these concepts.

If it is difficult for you to come up with an answer that satisfies you, consider your weekends. Think about the vacations you've taken.

Do you read books while on vacation? Are you always out sightseeing? Are you the one who organizes all the activities?

It might also help to go back into your childhood. How did you used to answer the question "when I grow up, I want to be..."?

Often these answers can provide clues to your authentic self, and help you get a clearer understanding of who you would be and what you would do if money weren't an issue.

Ok… so let's bring it back to reality. Some of you are thinking "but money IS an issue! It's all well and good to fantasize about what I would do if I were wealthy, but I have to put food on the table this month, and I have to have my job for that."

Believe me, I know where you're coming from, but hear me out….The point of the 10 million dollar question exercise is to understand that by freeing your mind for a moment from the fear that a lack of money can bring, you start to tap into the impulses of your natural self.

Your natural self has power and value to the rest of the world, and that power and value WILL translate into dollars if it is allowed to express itself and flourish.

Go back and look at your answers again. How can you integrate these activities into your present lifestyle?

Challenge yourself to give more time to these desires and give validation to these dreams. Do whatever you can to incorporate the activities you are passionate about into your life. Pursue them as hobbies if you aren't already. Put your energy and awareness towards them and you will begin to see opportunities that you couldn't recognize before.

By understanding your answers to the 10 million dollar question, by giving attention to your authentic self, you will begin to discover the path that will lead to your abundance.

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