How can true wealth be measured? Do we use a qualitative or quantitative measurement? Can it be measured in terms of the money we have? Is it in things, relationships or our happiness? How is it that some people seem to easily generate, sustain and grow wealth in their lives? The Oxford dictionary defines wealth as an abundance of valuable possessions or money. The Investopedia defines it as “a measure of the value of all of the assets of worth owned by a person, community, company or country.” For each of us to attempt to define the monetary value of true wealth would invite an infinite list of numeric values. In order for us to define wealth in one agreeable definition, it comes down to our mindset and the state of mind we seek. What does wealth feel like? What does it allow us to do? What does it provide?
Cynthia Hakutangwi
What do you value in your core?
While the visible and tangible material items we see are by-products of a truly wealthy life, true wealth is being able to enjoy these luxuries without guilt or debt accrual. Is it possible therefore to attract true wealth without compromising our principles and values? The answer lies in our beliefs, mindsets, thoughts and attitude toward wealth. Through our lives we develop our individual system of morals and values yet sometimes they don’t suit the structure of who we are. Our inner structure is made up of our self-esteem, our beliefs and our self-identity and these qualities are supported by our personal core values. Values are what is important to us, what we “value”, and what gives us purpose. Just as organisations have values, individuals do too. Most people have approximately five to seven core values that identify who they are at their core. Values reflect who we are on a daily basis, in everything we do at home and at work. Values give us our sense of purpose. When we don’t align with our values, we feel less authentic and become demotivated about our daily lives, which reflects in our personal leadership. Think of it as a tree — values are our roots that keep us grounded in what’s important to us. The strength of the values determines the strength of the trunk, branches, leaves and fruit from year to year. Values are like a compass that points us to our “true north.” While some people or companies might expressly publish their core values, often the best way to identify these values is in the extent to which and how they act and behave. A core value is only a true core value if it has an active influence and if the people or company manage to live by it, at least most of the time. Values are a part of what we are. They highlight what we stand for. They can represent our unique, individual essence. They guide our behaviour, providing us with a personal code of conduct. The challenge is that most of us are not clear about our values. We don’t consciously know what is most important to us. Instead, we are more focused on what our society, culture, and media values. Can you clearly articulate your top three values that are most important to you? We need to understand that we attract what we value.
Position yourself to attract wealth
Is it possible to attract wealth? Wealth and abundance are important elements in living a life that is financially secure. While holding down a job and earning money is one way to have wealth, there exists yet another higher level of abundant living. It is in this realm that attracting of wealth and prosperity reside. Having a mindset that brings abundance into one’s life is the key to knowing how to attract wealth. Sometimes the thoughts, people and systems that surround our immediate environment tend to repel the wealth that we want to attract. We must realise daily that opportunities exist all around us, yet if we do not allow ourselves to see them, we cannot take advantage of them. Saying “yes” to new opportunities is a way to become more “attractive” to wealth of all kinds. This is best done in an environment where we have first established our core values, principles and the “non-negotiables” that undergird our lives. This also implies that we ought to value and love ourselves and to believe that as we apply ourselves diligently we are worthy to receive wealth in abundance. With this understanding we must also determine to grow in vibrant health first before we can attract and hold on to our wealth. It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who once wrote that “health is our greatest wealth.” The healthier you are, the more confident and empowered you become, and this attracts wealth to you. In the book, Success Within Reach, which I co-authored with 14 other authors, in the second chapter titled, Reconditioning Your Paradigm, I discuss and examine the following seven concepts that need to be embraced for wealth attraction to take place:
l Develop a wealth attraction plan and take action;
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l Develop an awareness of opportunities that exist around you for attracting abundance;
l Develop an attitude for gratitude;
l Develop timelines for your plans;
l Identify energy drainers in your life;
l Develop wisdom in wealth management;
l Understanding stewardship and the place of wealth in our lives.
Practising true stewardship While all the seven concepts are equally important, I truly believe that a failure to develop strong stewardship skills can sabotage your prospects for attracting, generating and managing wealth trans-generationally. Stewardship is an ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources. The concepts of stewardship can be applied to the environment and nature, economics, health, property, information, theology and various other fields. In this seventh concept “Understanding Stewardship and the place of wealth in our lives,” I posit that wealth is created by hard work and good stewardship, not only for our own benefit but to help others. It is when we set long term goals in the area of our finances that we can challenge ourselves to examine our personal effectiveness as stewards, as well as to identify the talents, skills and abilities God has given us to create and sustain wealth generationally.
lCynthia Hakutangwi is a communications and personal development consultant, life coach, author, and strategist. She is the managing consultant of Wholeness Incorporated. Her newly published book is entitled Destination Wholeness – Going Beyond Brokenness. Previously published titles include, The Whole You – Vital Keys for Balanced Living and Intelligent Conversations: A Mindset Shift Towards a Developed Africa. She is co-author of Success Within Reach. E-mail: [email protected]. Facebook: Wholeness Incorporated. Website: www.wholenessinc.com
