It’s been an interesting week signing hundreds of copies of How To Be Rich and Happy and then shipping them all over the world. I’ve probably seen enough customs declarations forms to last me a life time, but I am still incredibly grateful to all of you that have helped us kick things off in fine style. Your help has guaranteed that we’ll have enough money to reorder the next batch of books to giveaway, so a huge thanks.
As this is a charitable project we’ve had to do everything ourselves on a shoe string. Consequently the past few days have been somewhat crazy making sure the right books went into the right envelopes and the correct forms were assigned to each.
By Monday morning I had a car loaded with books and the joy of taking them to my local post office to look forward to.
After 15 minutes ferrying cases from the parking lot into the Post Office I was finally set to join the line. I could almost feel the wave of relief from the people lucky enough to be in front of me, not so those that came behind me though.
We talk in How To Be Rich and Happy about the power of our mind to monitor things that are going on outside of our conscious awareness. Think of the ‘Cocktail Party Syndrome’ in which it’s very likely that you’ll hear your own name in a conversation a few feet away at a party, even if you hear nothing else of that conversation.
That’s your amygdala doing it’s job on your behalf and looking out for danger. I’m not completely sure if my amygdala was working really well and I was in mortal danger, or I was paranoid, but I felt sure the people behind me were plotting to kill me and burn my warm corpse on a bonfire made up of hundreds of copies of How To Be Rich and Happy.
As I shuffled forward I unconvincingly reminded myself that I was there for the greater good of mankind and if I was about to be clubbed to death by an old women wielding an umbrella then so be it.
Eventually I came to the head of the queue and as the USPS worker behind the counter beckoned me forward I pointed to the huge pile of boxes by the door and said rather sheepishly, “I hope you’re not looking to head out for lunch any time soon”
As we worked our way through the packages the lady behind me asked if I was selling stuff on Ebay. I shook my head and told her what they were. She didn’t seem overly impressed and carried on by saying,
“A lot of people are selling stuff on Ebay these days, but who can blame them with this economy and with no work around?”
I groaned inwardly and the thought of filling out customs declarations forms in the peace and quiet of my own office suddenly seemed infinitely more enticing than talking about the economy to somebody that had already decided we were all doomed.
It’s not as though this type of thing is a rare occurrence either. How often over the last two years have you heard somebody say something like:
- “It’s not a good time to be starting a new business with the economy as it is”
- “It will take at least 2 years to sell your house in this recession”
- “My customers simply have no money to spend at the moment”
Seldom does a day goes past when I don’t hear something negative about the economy, but guess what? It’s never from Rich and Happy people.
Do you know why it’s never from Rich and Happy people?*
It’s because if you use the economy as an excuse (and yes it is an excuse), then by default you’re adopting a victim mindset and Rich and Happy people don’t do that. In fact it’s impossible to be Rich and Happy and be feeling like the world is conspiring against you.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a lot of people have been severely negatively impacted by the recession, often through no fault of their own, but it’s still down to each individual to make the choice of whether they accept the role of victim or not.
Many people have refused to do so and consequently have bounced back bigger and better by reframing and seeing opportunities in misfortune. They’ve had brilliant years, started new businesses, bought homes, got married, traveled the world and pretty much anything else you care to think of. These people are the ones with the Rich and Happy mindset.
Sure they may blame the economy for a moment if they lose a sale, client or even their job, but then they take back control of the situation by saying, to hell with the economy I decide how Rich and Happy I’m going to be and they move on.
I want to finish by asking you something I asked my own blog readers in a post entitled The Recession Is Over as long as 18 months ago as I think it’s as pertinent today as it was then:
What do you think would happen if you didn’t know there was a recession underway? Do you think you’d do anything differently? Would your outlook or demeanor change? Would you be more daring, less likely to accept second best? Would you be happier, more upbeat and more raring to go on a Monday morning?
If the answer to all or any of those questions is yes, why not just pretend? Pretend that this recession doesn’t apply to you. Pretend that your industry thrives in downturns. Pretend that it’s all over and you’ve come out smiling.
I know there will be people out there shaking their heads at my cavalier attitude and solemnly thinking I’m delusional. Maybe they’re right, maybe I am, but I’d rather be delusional and happy than realistic and miserable and that is a choice I can make every day.
* When I talk about rich and happy in that context I’m referring to it as we define it in the book. Of course it would be easy to say rich people don’t need to worry about the economy because they will never be short of cash. However, I know a lot of people that aren’t financially wealthy but still live a rich and happy life, I also know a lot of rich people that still worry themselves sick over money, it’s a mindset we are talking about. If you have no idea what I’m talking about better go grab yourself a copy quick!
