00:00Most people think they want more money than they really do and they settle for a lot less than they could get. Earl Nightingale.
00:07To fully embrace the concept of prosperity, you need to be specific about your financial goals.
00:14How much money do you truly want? This isn't just a passing thought. It's a critical question.
00:20You see, your subconscious mind doesn't think in words. It thinks in images.
00:25So when you say, I want lots of money, that statement is too vague.
00:30Even your subconscious mind, which shapes so much of your reality, doesn't understand how much lots really is.
00:37I want you to take this idea seriously because it has the potential to change your life.
00:43But remember, just thinking about your financial goals isn't enough. You must take action.
00:49The first and most crucial step is deciding how much money you want.
00:54To make this decision, it helps to think about what you want the money for.
00:58Simply saying, I need money to live on, is too general and uninspired.
01:04Our society is set up so that even if you didn't work, you could still receive the basics needed to survive.
01:11The government provides a basic living wage that allows you to get by, even if it's just barely.
01:17But if you're watching this, I'm willing to bet that you want more than just the basics. You want a life
01:23that's rich, full, and meaningful.
01:26So, how much more do you want? This is where you need to get specific. This exercise requires careful planning.
01:33I want you to grab a sheet of paper and start listing all the things or activities you plan to spend money on over the next year.
01:42Think about every aspect of your life that requires financial input. To get you started, here are some categories to consider.
01:50Food, rent or mortgage,
01:53clothing,
01:54automobile and transportation,
01:56utilities,
01:57education,
01:58vacations,
02:00recreation and entertainment,
02:02insurance, savings, and investments.
02:05These are just a few examples. Keep working on your list until it feels complete.
02:10But here's the important part. Don't just list what you're spending now.
02:15Instead, I want you to visualize the life you want to live.
02:19Picture it clearly in your mind. How often do you want to dine out?
02:23What kind of car do you want to drive? How frequently do you want to travel or take vacations?
02:29Then, calculate how much that lifestyle will cost. This is your life, and you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest.
02:36You should have the money you need to live the life you choose.
02:39And the only way to ensure you get there is by knowing exactly how much money that will take.
02:46Now, let's address something important. It's normal for doubts to creep in during this process.
02:51You might be thinking, this is crazy. I'll never have the money to live like this.
02:56But let me remind you of something.
02:59There are many people who are living exactly as I'm describing right now,
03:03and they didn't start out with a silver spoon in their mouths.
03:06They weren't born into wealth, and they didn't have it handed to them.
03:10They were born rich in the sense that they had the potential to succeed, just like you do.
03:16But like most people, they began with little or no money.
03:21Understand this. You can succeed too. The key is to follow through with this process and stay committed.
03:28Let me share something personal.
03:31Years ago, I listened to a tape by Earl Nightingale called Attitude. On that tape, there was a line that stuck with me.
03:38We tend to minimize the things we can do and the goals we can reach, while thinking others can achieve things we cannot.
03:47I heard that line over and over, but it took a while for the message to truly resonate with me.
03:53Then, one day, it clicked.
03:56I realized that if others could do it, so could I, as long as I was willing to pay the price.
04:02And the same goes for you. You can achieve what you want, but part of paying that price is figuring out how much is enough.
04:09Don't just pull a number out of thin air. Take your time with this exercise.
04:14Write down everything you want and calculate the cost of that life. When you're finished, you'll be glad you did.
04:21This process won't just give you clarity on your financial goals. It will also help you develop a more disciplined mind.
04:29Now, you might be thinking, this doesn't apply to me because I'm already in too much debt to start saving money.
04:34But here's the thing. It's possible to become wealthy without increasing your current income, and this book will show you how to do that.
04:43By now, you should have completed your list and arrived at a figure.
04:47I want you to take that number and write it down boldly on a piece of paper. Make it clear and visible.
04:53This is your target, your financial goal.
04:57Now, let's move on to another important consideration. If you have a family to support, you likely want them to live well,
05:04even if something happens to you. It's not just about living for today. It's about securing the future for your loved ones.
05:11This is where life insurance and disability insurance come into play. You might think life insurance is a ripoff,
05:18but I assure you it's an essential part of financial planning.
05:24Having worked closely with the insurance industry for nearly a decade, I can tell you that many people are dangerously underinsured.
05:33Life insurance might seem like an expense you can skip,
05:36but it's the only way to instantly replace your income and create a secure financial estate for your loved ones.
05:43The sad reality is that most people, when they pass away,
05:47leave behind just enough money to cover their funeral and maybe a year's worth of living expenses for their family.
05:53But with a relatively small investment, you could ensure that your family's financial goals are met, even if something happens to you.
06:03Since this book is about helping you achieve substantial financial goals,
06:07it's important to understand that life insurance is a key component of a comprehensive financial plan.
06:15Remember, there are only two ways to earn money, by working yourself or by having your money work for you.
06:21So, what's your plan? How much is enough for you?
06:25The rest of this book is dedicated to guiding you on how to live a prosperous life,
06:29but it all starts with this fundamental question.
06:33Remember, you deserve to live the life you've imagined.
06:36So take action, stay focused, and let's get started on building your prosperous future.
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