I need money….because I can’t pay the bills at the end of the month
I need money….so that I can get a better car
I need money….in the bank in case I get laid off.
I need money….to send my kids to college.
I need money….so that I can retire comfortably.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if this has worked? Does this weight on you actually help you get money? For some, maybe. Maybe you work harder, longer etc. Yet does that weight of that “need” ever leave you? Does that feel good? Of course not. But then the question is, what do we do about it? Heck, in most cases it’s true. I need money!
But, whenever we need, crave, or want, we actually push away. Are you attracted to someone who is desperate for your affection or attention? No. And money isn’t either.

There is only one thing to do the next time the feeling hits you that you need money. In my book “When Money Talks, Listen!”, Mr. Money teaches us that money is here to serve us. But we have elevated its stature so much that we feel unworthy of it. So let’s try and shift that thinking on the spot when we feel we need money for something. Try this tiny change and see what happens. Yes, it’s going to sound a little strange, but hey, nobody will know you’re doing it. All we are going to do is change one word, and feel the difference. Ok, ready? Here it is. “I feed money”. See, I told you it was a little odd. However, we are just trying to change that sense of being unworthy. In this case, money needs you. You feed it. You give it life. Think about it. What purpose does money have without you? Without “us”?. Plants and animals have no use for it. So, you feed it. You give it life, you give it meaning. It exists for, and because of…you! Let it thank you by paying your bills and taking care of your needs. It’s thankful for the purpose only you can give it.

Rich

I had a fun interview with Kris about my experience writing “When Money Talks, Listen!”.

Please take a look at the interview, and check our her great site while you’re there…..(tell her Myster Money sent you!). Link below…

Read “When Money Talks, Listen!” Interview

I couldn’t help but think of all the doom and gloom headlines regarding oil that have been coming out daily for months and months.

“Gas prices could hit $7 a gallon”

“No end in site to runaway oil prices”

“Economy teetering due to skyrocketing oil prices”

Think back even just a week ago. Would you have imagined seeing the headline today, “Oil prices plunge at fastest rate in 17yrs”?

Gee, what could next week bring?

“No bottom in site to falling oil prices”

“Experts predict a free-fall to $1 a gallon”

“Stock market explodes to record highs as oil prices collapse”

No, I am not making this prediction (at least not as soon as next week), but I am trying to point out that we say similar negative headlines to ourselves every day, don’t we? And we believe them to…

“We’re slipping into a recession, I’ll never find a job now”

“My money problems are skidding out of control”

“My life is a disaster, and things are about to get worse”

Oil goes up, and it goes down. As does the stock market, the housing market, and our problems.

You see, the media have known for decades that the key to catching our attention is a great headline…especially one that scares the daylights out of us.

Well, our crafty old minds have picked up on this little gem of a strategy. It’s called “Sensationalizing”…a quick look at Dictionary.com and I found, “Sensationalizing: To cast and present in a manner intended to arouse strong interest, especially through inclusion of exaggerated or lurid details”

So, the moral of the story is this. The next headline you read that scares you, remember the above definition, especially the word “exaggerated”. And more importantly, do the same thing the next time you hear that little sensationalizing headline writer inside your head. Since we attract what we think about, it’s probably time to promote yourself to Editor and Chief and redline your “head”-lines.

Rich

This is a great exercise to do in the morning by yourself, or the evening before bed. But, it’s also a fun thing to do in a group setting, or just go around the table at dinner. Some questions have a follow up which I have denoted as part (a).

1. I would be happier if I had?
1 (a). I’ll bet if I just did this (fill in), I would probably get it.
2. I’d be willing to try this new good habit (fill in)for the next 21 days.
3. I’d have a much better day tomorrow if I just did this today.
4. I’ll bet that this belief of mine (fill in) isn’t even true after all.
5. I’d be willing to believe this (fill in) for the next week.
6. I’d probably like myself more if I just did (didn’t) do this.(fill in)
7. Probably the number one reason I don’t have more money is this (fill in)
7 (a) I’d be willing to try this (fill in) to help change #7.
8. I’d be willing to stop trying to control (him, her, or this)
9. I would be most disappointed if I died before having done or accomplishing this? (fill in)
10. I’m really good at? (Fill in)
10 (a) If I’m not, should I be doing #10 for a living?
11. I’d be willing to stop doing/believing this (fill in) for the next month.
12. Rather than getting upset, the next time this (fill in) happens, I’m going to do this (fill in) instead.
13. I’d be willing to give up wanting to be, do, or have this (fill in)
14. I really love (fill in)
15. If I just did this (fill in) today, I’d be happier.
16. I’ll be this person (fill in) would love to hear from me.
17. Does anyone else make a good living at doing what I do well?
17 (a) Why don’t I do #17?
18. I’d be willing to do this (fill in) to be in better shape.
19. It seems whenever I do this (fill in), everything gets better.
20. If I just did this (fill in), the way I do that (fill in), I’m sure I’d be successful at it.
21. Ok, I give up trying to figure this out (fill in); I’m now turning it over to God.
22. Rather than simply preaching this (fill in), I should probably practice it.
23. If I just stopped procrastinating on this (fill in) everyday, my days would be so much better.
24. If I got this much money (fill in), I’d feel so much better.
24 (a) List 10 ways it’s possible to get #24. Stretch your mind.
25. My life is so much better whenever I do this (fill in)
26. I should probably make this (fill in) a goal of mine and go for it, rather than thinking about it.
27. I’d do this (fill in) if I wasn’t afraid.
27 (a) Have you ever tried to face rather than run from the fear in #27?
28. If I had this much money (fill in), I’d help out (fill in)
29. I’ve been thinking and worrying about this (fill in) for way too long, it’s time to just do it.
30. If I did nothing else to improve my life other than this (fill in), I’ll bet I’d feel great.

Please feel free to share some of your favorite answers or some additional questions that you came up with.

Wishing you all the best,

Rich

I just finished reading “Happy For No Reason” by Marci Shimoff, and now I have a good reason to be happy. For a little background, Marci has co-authored Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul, and is one of the featured teachers from the movie, The Secret.

The book teaches a 7 Steps to Being Happy, which she lays out in a clever analogy of building a home, a Home for Happiness as she calls it.

The Happy 100

We’ve all seen many top 100 lists, but here is one truly worth aspiring to make. Marci interviewed people from all walks of life and from around the globe and compiled a list of her Happy 100. (No, she didn’t call me)

The book is filled with some remarkable stories from these Happy 100. Each story I read became my favorite, just long enough until I reached the next one.

Sip A Fine Wine

This is not the type of book you want to hurry through and finish in a couple of sittings. I began reading a chapter at night while in bed. I figured it would be a nice way to head into sleep..and it was. I found myself looking forward to each night knowing that I had another chapter to read, a new favorite story to enjoy, and another night of sweet dreams. So I am a little saddened now that I am finished, and a tad envious to those of you who have yet to begin.

I don’t know Marci personally, but I found myself wishing I did. I guess that’s the sign of a good writer….and perhaps just a good person.

So if you are looking for a reason to be happy, buy the book…(Link to Marci’s Website) …. and then you can learn to be happy for no reason. And hopefully one day we’ll all be on her Happy 1 Billion.

Rich

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”. Sir Winston Churchill

Ok, here is your chance to be put into the history books. Quotes can come from anyone, even our friend “anonymous” has his or her share out there. Today it’s your turn. I am going to compile a list of “new” quotes, and they will come from all of you. Anyone who reads this has their chance of being quoted for the rest of time. The 10 best will be listed as “The 10 Best Quotes of the 21st Century” in a future post, and hopefully on tv. Below are the rules.

1) Authentic: This is an opportunity to strut your stuff! Please, no plagiarizing. If you choose to be anonymous, sign your quote as “anonymous”.
2) Submit: Write your new, awesome, soon to be classic quote as a comment to this post on www.mystermoney.com/blog
3) Spread to word: Digg it. Stumble it. Blog it. Email it. Whatever your method, make sure you do your part to increase the number of entries so you can see how you compare to the best of the best.
4) Number of Entries: You may submit one quote per day for the duration of the contest. Contest ends Feb 29th, 2008.
5) Judging: I will be putting together a list of judges to determine the 10 best quotes. The judges will include yours truly, some fellow bloggers, authors, and perhaps even a celebrity or two! (sshh).

Oprah

Ok, I can’t promise this, but we will attempt to get the new “10 Best Quotes of the 21st Century” announced on Oprah. You never know.

To get us started…

“Should we fail to reach any of our hopes and dreams, it will be due to only one reason. All the time we spent trying to find that reason” Richard Ezzo, author, “When Money Talks, Listen!”

Best of luck to you, and here’s to seeing your quote referred to in the 22nd century!

Rich

Isn’t it funny that the word allowance, which most of us link to receiving money from our parents, has the word “allow” in it? And, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary (above), one of its meanings is to “allow”, or give “permission”!

This is the key to the law of attraction. I know that many, many people are struggling attracting the things that they desire using some of the tools and techniques that are suggested for the law of attraction. They get frustrated and give up. The main reason for this is that the last step is usually to “let go”, or just “allow” it to happen. And this is where people fail. Thus, no results are had.

Let’s first agree that the law of attraction is real. Feel free to change the wording, and call it belief, faith, ability to attract, etc. But, look around you. Do you seem to always “attract” money problems? Or, do you always “attract” the same type of person as a partner? What issues consistently come into your life? How can every guy/girl you date treat you the same way?? Are you attracting this? Yes. Ok, enough convincing. I assume if you’re here you already know it works.

Change the Game!

Ok, so you’ve tried to attract money, a better mate, a better job, but all you seemed to attract was depression from failing to attract them. So, let’s change our game plan and get this to work for us. Instead of focusing on the desire outcome, such as an amount of money, or whatever you desire, focus on living in a state of allowance. Just being in this state will bring your desires to you. Let’s face it, you’ve already “asked”, right? Haven’t you asked enough? Now let’s give ourselves the permission to receive.

Try and identify that feeling you get after you’ve received something you wanted. A great gift, you won some money, you were asked out by that certain someone, you got the job offer, whatever it may be. Isn’t there a lightness? Doesn’t it feel like a pressure valve has been opened, and your whole body just relaxes? This is the state I’m referring to, not necessarily the excitement, but the relief feeling. That’s being open. That’s what it feels like to not be in the state of “wanting”. Once you’ve identified that feeling, welcome it. Then, catch yourself when you feel stress in your body. This means your mind has just thought about something you don’t have and has gone into wanting again. Fear is the same thing. The tightness will usually hit your chest, your stomach, or your neck and shoulders. Go inside and look at it. Then imagine a valve on the outside, and just open it. Let that pressure out. Hear it come out if that helps.
Then say to yourself, “Ahh, I love being so open”. Use reminders as you go about your day. When you open a door, remind yourself to open up and let go of any pressure. When you see a green light, do the same. When you open a bottle or can, just pause, and let it all go.

Taking your mind off of what you’re lacking, and focusing more on being open will make you feel great, and will allow your blessing the chance to come to you. A good habit is to remind yourself each morning that you will be open today. Try and do this with each bite you take of your breakfast. Your mouth has to “open” to receive the food. So open yourself up too with each bite, and decide that today you will be open. At night when you go to bed, think back on your day and remember how many times you remembered to open up and allow.

Your allowance is waiting!

Rich

Yesterday I was fortunate to have my book reviewed on a very popular blog, Self Help Daily.
Joi (pronounced Joy, as it should be) wrote such a nice review of my book that I am truly humbled. No, we are not friends, or even acquaintances. We’ve never even spoken.
But I do want to stop and say thank you, Joi.

She’s put together a great site, so please stop by and browse, it will do your mind good. She also is encouraging us to help those who are much less fortunate, as she has done by sponsoring a young boy named Theoneste. I think I’ll go do the same.

Thank you , Joi…

Rich

Another story just popped up out of Japan, and I thought I would share it with you. Nice to know that people still give, and it is even more impressive to see it done with the commitment and anonymity of the person in this story.

Some news is good news! Have a look and forward along…

Mystery Money Pledge

Rich