You haven’t heard from me for a few weeks and that’s because, as the world is dealing with the chaos of change, I’ve been going through my own transformation, and I’d like to share something with you because I think some of you can relate.

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding that I’m feeling a bit disoriented by the cloud of uncertainty that hovers over everything now. Since I believe that opportunity can be found within every situation, I asked how I could benefit from the evolutionary change that our financial and political systems are going through.

I realized that this is the perfect time to latch onto the energy of transformation and allow myself to be more honest about who I am and what matters to me. You see, I’ve been hiding a part of myself–it’s sort of my secret. And I finally woke up to the fact that if I’m not willing to be totally honest about who I am, then I’m abandoning a part of myself, which can only affect me in a negative way.

And I bet more than one of you out there feels like you’re hiding too.

Although I focus my work on money and emotions, it’s really the spiritual part of my life that matters to me. When I was “homeless,” I perceived it as a spiritual journey that allowed me to get in touch with the inner guidance that I know we all have. Because I owned nothing and was attached to nothing, I could let my mind and spirit roam into uncharted territory, which I did.

On my journey, I had inter-dimensional experiences that, if someone else were to tell me the story, I’d probably think they were delusional. I wasn’t, and the experiences were real yet totally unexplainable through logical means. I came away from that period of my life with a deep, deep knowing that we are not alone, and my personal journey now is about how to enhance my relationship with that Force that guides us.

I often have synchronistic experiences that validate for me how we are all connected through an invisible communication grid that we can learn to use at will. It takes practice and patience, but it is there for anyone who is willing to suspend their disbelief and open themselves to alternate realities.

My purpose for writing today is just to connect and let you know that I’m contemplating how I want to present the knowledge that I have gained over the last 30 years. My broadened point of view allows me to be in the world but not of it so I can experience what’s going from a detached point of view. This allows for being in a peaceful place in the midst of the chaos.

As the Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security Program is evolving, starting in the fourth month, I’m introducing this new material. I haven’t mentioned it yet in the description of the program, but will by the middle of next month.

In the meantime, on Decemeber 26th at noon EST, 9 am Pacific, on my BlogTalkRadio.com show, I’m going to tell some of my story. I’ve been told by those who have heard parts of it that the story is inspiring and certainly interesting. If you’d like, you can listen live or download later at http://BlogTalkRadio.com/JoanSotkin

I hope you all have a peaceful holiday and look forward to communicating with you next year.

The journey to a new financial position can be filled with lots of potholes that slow you down and even cause some injury as you scout out ways to increase your income, reduce expenses, and build wealth. And to top it all off, implementing new financial behaviors can stimulate feelings of disorientation and confusion.

People often bring with them old habits of struggle and fear and this makes the journey to prosperity a chore rather than a pleasure. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every step of the way was filled with joy and the wonder of discovery?

Well, it can be, and here are some suggestions that might inspire you to keep moving forward with a smile, no matter what is going on in the world.

• Make a decision to focus on what’s good in your life rather than on what’s not. Because we live in a dualistic reality, every down has an up. You can choose what you wish to see. You can also choose how you respond emotionally to life’s events.
• Gratitude: Spend at least five minutes each day thinking about or writing down what you are grateful for. When you hear yourself grumbling about people or events, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I am grateful for the gift in every moment,” and at that moment find something positive to focus on.
• Give of your time or talents to those who can benefit from your offering. There are plenty of people — and animals — that need help now. It’s almost impossible to give without getting something in return.
• Connect to others with love in your heart. Humans, by nature, function better in groups rather than in isolation. Step out of your comfort zone and meet new people every month.
• Laugh and smile a lot. It’s tough to enjoy your life with a frown.
• When stressed, say the serenity prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to make the difference.

Financial fantasy peddlers hawking their wares ramp up their appeals during tough economic times. Promises of quick-and-easy cash flow, painless credit repair, and effortless wealth building have already begun to increase in numbers.

Buyer beware!

A willingness to buy into the fantasy and denial of financial realities lie at the heart of our current economic crises. No-money-down mortgages, interest-only loans, and esoteric financial products coupled with consumer over-spending and over-debting fueled by the desire to live a fantasy-based dream weakened the financial system’s foundation and has brought it to the brink of collapse.

Now the vultures hover overhead waiting to pick at the bones of financial carcasses. People desperate for relief from their financial troubles gravitate towards offers for financial peace.

Buyer beware!

Careful evaluation and deliberation rather than making impulsive decisions can serve you well. The Internet offers many opportunities for you to think before you buy if you are willing to delay your need for instant gratification.

Follow this simple method to safety:

• When considering a purchase, do a search for the name of the product or the person offering the product followed by the word “review.” Check out what others have said before making your decision. If you use Twitter, ask for feedback from your followers.
• Wait 24 to 48 hours before clicking the BUY button or making the phone call. A good sales pitch will appeal to your emotions and encourage you to “Act Now!” or risk losing some benefit. Ignore the push and wait.
• If you tend to spend impulsively, call a friend and share what you are planning on buying. Get some feedback. Never buy anything when you have that I-have-to-have-this-right-now feeling.
• Make sure that whatever you are considering online offers no-risk guarantee and if the product does not live up to your expectations, ask for a refund.

Humans have amazing creative powers. Look at what has recently been created in the financial world. An elite group of colluding individuals with a similar goal–to make as much money as possible–have managed to fashion a worldwide economic crisis.

The crisis wasn’t the work of some supernatural force or power. Humans did it.

Now is the time for “ordinary” folks like you and me to form our own cartel that allows us to prosper while respecting the rights of others as we work towards a goal for the common good. We have the same creative powers within us as the greedy wall-streeters, but we can decide to work together so that all can prosper.

How to do this? First, think globally, act locally. Band together with others in your community to form co-ops, develop community gardens, offer support to small businesses, and build outreach programs. You don’t need money to do this, just human energy.

Reach out to others across the world to form support groups, partnerships, and joint ventures. When you connect to others your individual power is magnified. Recently, on one of the weekly teleclasses for the Build Your Money Muscles program, participants inspired each other to action by sharing information and encouragement. Feeling connected stimulates positive action for change.

Spend quiet time with yourself so you can connect to your own inner direction and move beyond the fear that seems to be in the air right now. Deep within you lies strength and power that you can use to create a better life for yourself and those around you. 

Arm yourself with knowledge so you can make informed choices. Spend time each day learning about the world of finance and developing practical financial skills so you can make wise financial decisions and not be swayed by advertising messages or slick sales presentations.

On last Friday’s BlogTalkRadio show (10/25), Personal Power expert Jim Bouchard talked with me about how you can develop the skills you need to develop the ability to act effectively in all situations and how this can affect your prosperity. You can listen online or download. The program is now available as an I-Tunes Podcast–just search for Joan Sotkin in I-Tunes.

On the show, Jim and I also coached one of the participants in the Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security program about working through shame and overcoming resistance. I hope you’ll listen and learn from Jim’s wisdom. www.BlogTalkRadio.com/JoanSotkin

The storm continues to batter the world financial systems, causing havoc for many. But you, as an individual, have significant control over your own destiny, even in these tough times.

First of all, you have choices. You can choose to wait until you get clobbered or take steps to behave differently. Instead of spending freely, this is the time to be frugal and actually save something, putting off the “I want” purchases until you have a better idea what’s happening in your life. Cash is king.

You can also choose to maintain a positive frame of mind. The situation that exists is not good or bad, it just is. The situation is neutral. You bring to the situation the emotions that determine whether it is good or bad for you.

We live in a dualistic world and for every up there’s a down, for every positive there’s a negative. Within each situation you can find light and dark. You can choose what you want to see. And those who can find the good, the light, and the positive can grow and flourish. Those who focus on the dark, the bad, and the negative will suffer in discomfort.

Facing the reality of what is going on allows you to examine alternatives and develop a plan of action. If you hide your head in the sand and give in to paralysis, you can’t adjust to these changing times.

We are going through a major paradigm shift and this level of change is always uncomfortable for those going through it. If you can look towards a positive future, pay attention to what’s happening for you in the moment, and do whatever you can to deal with the stress, you will survive and can potentially be one of the people who actually benefit, in the long run, from what is going on.

Don’t hide. Reach out to others and be authentic about what is going on for you. Invite a group of people to come together to discuss how they are dealing with the situation and to find solutions. There is strength in numbers. You can find power in community.

On Friday’s BlogTalkRadio.com program at noon EST, I’ll be interviewing Jim Bouchard, author of the Dynamic Components of Personal Power. Our topic: The Relationship between Personal Power and Prosperity. I hope you’ll call in or listen to the recording. http://BlogTalkRadio.com/JoanSotkin

There was an interview on NPR  with a columnist from The Financial Times who pointed out that during past recessions, most people have held on to their jobs, their homes, and their income. His advice for now, be cautious but don’t panic.

I’ve spoken to a number of people in the last few weeks whose lives have mostly been affected by rising prices and/or dropping value of their investments. For many, this is combined with a general feeling of alienation from the niceties of life and the uncertainty generated by the presidential campaign. It’s difficult to feel grounded and focused.

Generally we’re in a wait and see mode, as we wait to get a glimpse of how the financial chaos is going to shake out. This is a time of caution. It’s not a good time to take great risks in either your business or personal life. Rather, it’s better to carefully consider any purchases or major moves, and if possible, wait. Unless you are faced with an emergency, wait.

It’s also a good time to plan for your future–to ask yourself what you really  what you really want to do with the next segment of your life, and spend time doing the research you need if you want to move in a new direction.

It’s also a great time to start improving your financial literacy and understanding of the financial world so when things do turn around, you’ll be ready. I know people who are poised now to buy things at bargain prices with the knowledge that they will benefit in the future.

Because times are leaner, staying in close touch with your money is a wise move. Now is the time, if you haven’t done it before, to start keeping track of your spending and earning and getting to recognize your own patterns. This is the time to cure your financial vagueness syndrome.

For a basic plan for doing these things, read my book Build Your Money Muscles. For a more advanced “course” in developing practical financial skills and overcoming issues like a not-enough or just-enough financial habit, read about Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security.

The truth is, there is very little in human affairs that is certain. Yet from everything I have observed, people do everything they can to bring some semblance of certainty into their lives. From daily routines, to various levels of risk aversion, creating stability has become important to many.

Thus the uncertainty in the current economic environment can be maddening. Many who thought their future was secure are watching their wealth melt away with no indication of when the problems will end.

The bailout program being proposed lives side by side with commentary explaining that no one knows what the outcome would be if this drastic plan were put into effect. Massive uncertainty.

If you watch the movement of the stock market these days, it’s a wile ride up and down, up and down, not on a daily basic, but on an hourly basis. This reflects a high degree of uncertainty.

So what’s the average human to do in the face of such overwhelming uncertainty. Here are some suggestions.

•  Accept the situation for what it is. Remember the Serenity Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
•  Stay focused in the present. How are you doing today? Do you have what you need today? Are you physically comfortable today?
•  Educate yourself. The more you know about money and the financial world, the more control you will feel you have over your finances. You will also have the wherewithal to figure out solutions to problems that arise.
•  Limit your risks for now. Don’t take on new, risky projects or investments–unless, of course, you thrive with uncertainty.
•  Don’t take on any new debt.
•  Breathe. Whenever you feel anxiety building up, take a series of deep breaths and repeat your power word.

In Month 1 of the new six-month program, Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security, there is a helpful audio called Overcoming Financial Fear. The first month of the program also includes detailed instructions for using EFT and the Power Word to help you through difficult times.
 Learn more…
 
Because of the current turmoil, members of the BYMM Program will be able to paticipate in weekly teleconferences.

It sure does look like the financial world is falling apart. Major financial institutions are going bankrupt, smaller banks are in danger of closing, government bailouts are taking place, and the words “recession” and “depression” on everyone’s lips.

The immediate threat seems to be a serious tightening of credit, which would affect consumer spending. This in turn would hurt the US economy. At the same time, the problems in the US are affecting economies around the world.

So what’s the good news? This financial crisis has been a long time in coming as regulations were eliminated or not enforced, and greed took over. Those out for the big bucks made risky investments, and the more they got away with, the more risk they took. Then it all started to collapse as securities backed by subprime mortgages went bad.

Here’s the good news: I see the current situation as a major correction as the greed and corruption come to the surface, which will allow the system can start healing itself. The dysfunction goes very deep, so it could be a lengthy healing, but it will heal. And the system that emerges will be stronger–until greed and corruption take over once again. But that will be years in the future.

Should you be afraid? No. And you can minimize your fear if take steps to protect yourself.

• Do everything you can to reduce your debt and cut down on spending.
• Downsize if you have to in order to feel more secure.
• If you can’t stop spending or you keep living on the edge, find out why you hold on to these habits.
• Think through all of your purchases and ask, “Do I really need this?”
• Keep making plans for a positive future and developing strategies for income building.

We are in the down side of a cycle, that WILL turn around in time. The people at the top don’t want the whole system to collapse and will do what they can to save it. It’s going to take a while, because the problem is global. This is a good time to find your place of peace in the midst of the chaos.

In the meantime, this is an opportunity for you to clean up your money mess and prepare for prosperity.

The first month of the six-month Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security program has an audio, Overcoming Financial Fear, that can help you get yourself out of fear and into positive action.

In my quest to explore emotions that people express through their money, I recently tapped into feeling vulnerable and unprotected.

Feeling unprotected can lead to life stories in which someone takes advantage of you, or you are left feeling very vulnerable. I experienced feeling unprotected recently when my roof started leaking and I had to find a solution. I called a number of roofers, got a variety of responses, and felt really vulnerable because of my lack of experience.

A friend took me up on my roof so I could see for myself what was going on and he helped me make a decision. But I became aware of how vulnerable and unprotected I sometimes feel. And I realized that a lot of people feel this way.

Just last week a report came out that stated that over the last seven years, the United States has not done enough to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks. This could be something we created, as a group, because we feel so unprotected.

Remember, the situation doesn’t cause the feelings, the feelings are the force behind the situation.

How are you expressing unprotected through your stories? Which of your financial fears indicate that you feel unprotected? There’s a good chance that if you have any money invested in the stock market that you feel vulnerable and unprotected.  Or perhaps you have no savings or cushion for emergencies, inadequate health insurance, or enough debt to cause ongoing discomfort. I would guess that in any of these situations you feel vulnerable.

These feelings usually start in childhood and would certainly be present in people who were abused or bullied in any way, had one or more alcoholic or addicted parents, or who had narcissistic parents. Anyone who has experiences homelessness, eviction, or bankruptcy would probably feel unprotected.

• If you think that unprotected is something you are expressing, here are some suggestions:
  Get in touch with and process the feelings so you no longer have the need to act them out through your finances or other life stories. There are techniques for doing this in Build Your Money Muscles The new Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security program focuses on these techniques.
• Learn about the financial world. If you make financial decisions without knowledge, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to loss or being taken advantage of–or just screwing up your finances.
• Think about actions you can take to protect yourself. You may need to learn assertiveness techniques or other communications skills so you can stand up for yourself, in other words protect yourself, in any situation.

Resources:

• The Prosperity Show: Podcasts #17–Changing Your Money Feelings
• Build Your Money Muscles for Financial Strength & Security. A comprehensive six-month program guaranteed to improve your finances and your life!

Your financial identity is made up of many elements including your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions regarding money and yourself. It also includes your financial behaviors, goals, and expectations.

Given this, the best way to approach building a new identity is to choose one item to focus on with intensity and observe the changes you go through. Altering one element of your identity will automatically alter others.

For example, if you tend to criticize yourself a lot and you alter that behavior, your self-image is going to improve and your relationships will also change. Because you feel better about yourself, you are bound to upgrade how you take care of yourself and your finances.

This can lead to improved health and vitality, which would alter what you attract. Better cash flow is bound to follow. And it all resulted from focusing on how you talk to yourself.

In the last Prosperity Tip, I suggested that you write down where you are now and where you would like to be in two years. Take one item on that list and work towards reaching your goal.

I realized a while back that I tend to make impulsive financial decisions. Because I’m a risk taker, my habit was to act first and worry about the consequences later. I realized that this behavior wasn’t serving me and wanted to change it.

I started being much more deliberate when making decisions about things like what to buy and who to engage to help me with projects. Instead of accepting what came along easily, I started taking the time to do research and ask many more questions. The results were rewarding on many levels, and in the long run, I definitely saved money and felt better about my decisions.

Which of your behaviors are not serving you well. Don’t criticize yourself for that behavior, just make a decision to change it. Try different approaches rather than settling on just one alternative. And keep in mind that you’ll have to repeat the new behavior over a period of time in order for it to take hold.