The True Key to Prosperity

To have a high probability of becoming prosperous, you have to start with one very important decision!

What are you offering to give, in return for achieving your goal?

One of your most important assets is your ability to creatively determine what you have to offer that other people will pay for.

This is the ultimate source of prosperity, unless you manage to win the lottery or inherit money, of course.

** Cultivate a "Beginner's Mind"

Your mind is infinitely more subtle and creative than you realize! And sometimes it pays to "sneak up on it" when trying to solve a problem.

What would this involve? Approaching a problem of question with a totally open and flexible "beginner's mind."

Suppose, for example, you are an expert in vertical take off and landing aircraft. And suppose you are looking for a new, creative approach to hovering.

Obviously you could drag out technical texts and the latest journals in your field and pour over them. That could be a good starting point. But suppose you instead chose to be a "beginner," and make the assumption that anything is possible regarding hovering.

I wonder what insight might come to you if you asked yourself how a mosquito approaches hovering -- or perhaps a speck of dust that seems to weightlessly float in the air current above your desk?

Is it lighter than the air? No? And yet it floats and hovers. Since you are a "beginner," can you assume your aircraft could do the same thing? Could it defy gravity?

Or pick one common assumption in your field - one "everyone" subscribes to like "you must have an ezine and subscriber list to be successful on the web."

What it they are all wrong? What if the truth is the exact opposite. Black is white, and white is black. What would this mean? How can you apply it? Do some "beginner's mind" brainstorming, and don't reject your "crazy" ideas. Reflect on them!

** Boost Your Mind Power

A great way to build mind power is to continually feed your mind new ideas and concepts. Get onto the cutting edge of your field of interest. In our rapidly exploding information age, knowledge is the key to success.

The interesting thing about building up your knowledge in your field is this: The more you know, the more competent you will become.

And the more competent you become, the greater your sense of self-esteem and confidence. This equals increased personal power -- the sure mark of an achiever on the road to prosperity.

BUT? many very successful people insist it's equally important to read and study totally outside your field. Read a comic book. Watch a garden program on TV. Go to a horse race. Challenge your mind to grow and expand. Bill Gates plays chess and bridge.

** Be Willing to Cut Your Losses

According to the American Management Association, at least 70% of the decisions we make regarding our lives and our businesses or professions will turn out to be wrong in the long run.

So how is it that some people still manage to end up so prosperous? The answer is simple. Those who rise to the top in life are willing to cut their losses if a decision proves wrong. They are willing to admit they made a mistake, and move onto a new path.

To rise to the top in your own life, develop the skill of looking dispassionately at your decisions.

If new information or results light proves your decision isn't working, be willing to abandon it and try something different.

There's no sense kicking a dead horse, after all. The horse won't get up and pull your cart, and you'll just bruise your toes!

** Your Most Valuable Asset

The greatest source of wealth you have is right there in your skull. And remember that modern neuroscience has now proven that our brains never cease to grow and change -- regardless of our age!

What you need to become truly prosperous is a flexible, active, creative brain -- and the courage to commit to your ideas.

Since there is virtually no limit on the knowledge you can acquire, and the creativity you can develop, why not just "go for it?"

What you have between your ears is far more valuable than your bank account. Money is always out there looking for ideas.

Your personal ability to build your brainpower, and unlock your creativity, is the true key to prosperity. Period!

© 2004 All Rights Reserved

The author, Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler, is a doctor of psychology, pioneer brain/mind researcher, and former advisor to the Pentagon, a Presidential Commission, and numerous top executives and executive teams.The author of several books and hundreds of articles, she is also the co-founder of quantum-self.com, and the Creative Director of the Self Discovery Community. She can be reached at: drjill@quantum-self.com

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