_

"Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness in which they were
created."

- Albert Einstein

"We have no choice but to take very seriously the power money has. to show us what we can develop in ourselves that can never be bought or sold at any price."

- Jacob Needleman

How to Get Real about Money and Your Whole Life!

Every important action in your life has and will have financial and spiritual implications. Think about when you attended college, got married, changed careers, or perhaps, even got sick. More than numbers and information “finance” is really a sophisticated language for taking care of your spiritual concerns, that is to say, what you value in life. That’s why I talk about “living wealth” rather than simply “wealth”. While having a financial advisor might guide you more skillfully through the financial aspects of the process, you can take significant steps to evaluate where you stand with regard to your living wealth by doing some work on your own. Below is a four-step process to learn a different way of being with money.
.
Actually, your wealth portfolio is your life – past, present, and future. Your finances are one, but only one, important dimension of your life. You may be interested to note that the word “wealth” which we commonly think of as relating to money and possessions derives from Old English words that mean “condition of well-being”. Clearly, your well-being is affected by lots more than financial returns. The measure of wealth is not beating the market or building a large stock portfolio. It is growing your satisfaction and well-being with your life in its entirety.

Here is a four step process to make investment decisions in an enthusiastic, empowering way. You may download the questionnaires to guide you along the way:

1. Assess the various aspects of your financial life.
   
   
2. Identify what living wealth (i.e. “well-being”) means for you and your family. Remember, your “well-being” encompasses all areas of life - occupation, health, education, entertainment, family, community, spiritual and financial.
   
   
3. Inventory all your assets – in addition to financial assets, consider your skills, intelligence, network of relationships, reputation, and spiritual practices. Read the explanation of asset categories (Assets: You are Richer than You Think) and then Inventory all your assets.
   
   
4. Identify which assets you need to develop or reinforce to achieve well-being in your life. Consider which of your current assets can be redirected to increase your well-being. Start developing an action plan to grow your well-being and satisfaction in your life portfolio. Recognize that you can apply not only money, but time and commitment to develop and redirect these assets.

You may be very surprised at what you find. You will not only enjoy this fascinating learning process, you will discover how to add more meaning to your life without spending more money. Please get in touch if you would like guidance in developing your living wealth portfolio (SB@livingwealth.com).