Have you ever dreamed of becoming wealthy?
What do you imagine your life would look like if you had all the money in the world? What would you do? How would you spend your time? Who would you spend it with?
We often think that wealth is all about how much money there is in the bank. However, it’s more about the increased options that having more money affords. It’s about being emotionally wealthy.
The more money you have, the more options are available to you. The more options you have, the more freedom you experience in your life, at least so the theory goes.
But did you know that you can be wealthy emotionally? And furthermore that it doesn’t require you to have millions in the bank? You might wonder, “Why would I choose emotional wealth over material wealth?”
The short answer is that all wealth is ultimately emotional. It’s just that we’re taught that material wealth is the only way to get there.
So what exactly is emotional wealth? Let’s explore by way of examining the opposite state.
Signs of emotional poverty
The truth is that lots of people with plenty of money in the bank are emotionally poor. How can you tell?
They take everything personally.
They have a scarcity mindset.
They are reactive.
They allow other people and circumstances to determine how they feel.
The blame others.
They fear criticism.
They use phrases like, “I have no choice.”
The underlying factor for all these negative behaviors? The seeming lack of available options. The person who takes everything personally chooses this response as their only option to perceived personal attacks. An emotionally wealthy person understands that they can choose to not react negatively.
They understand that a person may make a negative remark at them for any number of reasons, most likely none of the reasons having to do with them.
One question that will help you to become emotionally wealth
The key to becoming emotionally wealthy? Continuously reminding yourself that you have options when it comes to your attitudes and behaviors toward others.
The most effective way to remember this is to ask this question in any situation:
What are my options?
If intense emotions such as anger or fear act to create tunnel vision, keep asking yourself until you can identify at least one other option.
For instance, you may think that your only option when someone makes a rude remark is to respond in kind. However you may choose to ignore the person, respond kindly, or assertively letting them know that such behavior is not acceptable.
Claim your wealth
If you think that you need money to start feeling like a wealthy person, think again.
All you need to do is to open up your mind and heart to all your available options.
When you do, you’ll feel like you have more freedom to choose how you will act and feel in any given moment. You’ll be happier and more resilient long-term. And you’ll feel like a million bucks.