I am well past retirement age (whatever that means) and I am starting on my 5th career. Why? Because I desire more money and other resources to accomplish my goals. Yes, I still have goals that I internalize each day. I believe it is never too late to do good work, to build wealth, and to help others do the same. In this “land of opportunity” seasoned citizens still have so much experience and creativity to offer and that is why I am writing this to encourage my senior colleagues to join with me in creating more wealth for ourselves by doing things you know how to do. It may be that you will even study and do something new. But the point is you do not have to live with a lack of resources that you need and desire when you have something of value to give for which you will receive compensation. You can do it!
Napoleon Hill who is best known for his 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich, says in the introduction, “When you begin to THINK AND GROW RICH, you will observe that riches begin with a state of mind, definiteness of purpose, with little or no hard work.” Doing what you know and love is the desired goal; it will not feel like work. I offer the following action steps that contribute to having a great life. These are basic steps, together with the will to succeed, which will start us on the right path. I ask you to join me in making these five stops a daily habit.
- Maintain a positive mindset—Think! When necessary, change your way of thinking. Think about having everything you desire. Thinking of what you want each day —more money, more time, more love—and with a definite purpose, will begin to form ways in your mind that make those thoughts a reality.
- Be grateful for what you have. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for, read, and add to them as you think of more. You can never acquire the things you desire and do not yet have when you are not grateful for what you already have. The focus is to appreciate what you have and seek to add to that list.
- Exercise each day. Physical: Take a walk outside or inside or find and use the exercise app or computer site that works for you. Mental: exercise your mind by reading each day. Exercising the body and mind creates strong and healthy muscles and cells so that you can do more, think more clearly, and create more freely.
- Meditate-Contemplate-Activate. Meditate to put yourself in touch with your Power Source (for me this is God. Find who that is for you). Contemplate your next steps for the day—the 3-5 ideas that come to your mind that you can do to increase your income. Activate the items on your list. One-by-one get them done.
- Bring value to others. This means that you elevate the person or the people whom you encounter during your day—the store clerk, the doctor, the Uber driver and, of course, everyone in your family. Let people feel that you care about them and wish them well. The purpose of bringing value to others is not to receive the same from them; however, what you give away will return to you when you least expect it.
If you are fortunate enough to have all that you need and desire, you can achieve even more. Creating wealth includes the accumulation of money, cars, jewelry, and many non-necessities. But it also includes time, spiritual well-being, meaningful and sustainable relationships, and other intangibles that contribute to a great quality of life.
Just because you have passed the age of 70, doesn’t mean you should stop sharing your gifts, talents, and experiences with the world. So, to all who have enough and to those who lost it all and have the desire and courage to get it back—with interest, let’s get to work! You can do it! We can do it!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ethel Canty Bothuel, D. Min., founder of DrEthelSpeaks! is a public speaker, blogger, author, and consultant. She has published two books relevant to the sacred space, written many articles on ministry protocols, motivational strategies, and the human condition, and facilitates seminars and workshops on self-development, goal-setting, and more.
[Watch for the next blog on goal-setting and achievement strategies]
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