There’s never a money problem…
Do you guys like reading books? I do, can you tell? I’m always quoting books, recommending books, and loaning books to friends. I have devoured some real pearlers over the summer and they are going to drive my behaviour and personal growth for 2009. I like to read for enjoyment but I prefer to read for the challenge the book presents. (Call me a weirdo, but I like to be personally challenged).
The latest book to shake me about was loaned to me by a friend and I’ve read it twice before handing it back. It was great and I can assure you I will have a copy of my own on my bookshelf before the end of March!
The book was called “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do” by Robert Schuller. Mr Schuller is world renowned for his possibility thinking and this guy doesn’t just write about it, he lives it! I was encouraged and challenged as I read his book, the stories he told and the principles he shared. He is a man (now aged in his eighties I believe) who is driven by the immensity of his purpose and the challenges that present before him, but passionate and persistent against all odds to achieve what he is absolutely certain he is meant to be achieving.
I’m going to share just one quote that I truly hope shapes the way you look at 2009, and beyond.
“There’s never a money problem, just an idea problem”
For many people in the world today I know there’s a lot of belief they have money issues. I have heard many, many stories in recent travels about money problems – people losing their home, losing their job, having to give up private school or SKYTV. Everyone’s situation and perception of the problem is relative to them. I suppose if I were to share the above quote from Robert Schuller with them, I would get an adverse reaction from most of them!
But I must agree with this quote and today I want you to believe it too!
Here are several questions you can ask yourself to help overcome the idea problem.
How many solutions can I think of with no limitations?
The concept here is to brainstorm solutions without challenging them. When you have ten in front of you, you now have something to work with! Robert Schuller had an idea problem; he needed to raise 10 million dollars for a building project, here’s his list:
1. Ask ONE donor for TEN MILLION dollars
2. Ask TWO donors for FIVE MILLION dollars
3. Ask TEN donors for ONE MILLION dollars
4. Ask TWENTY donors for HALF A MILLION dollars
5. Ask FIFTY donors for TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars
6. Ask ONE HUNDRED donors for ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars
7. Ask TWO HUNDRED donors for FIFTY THOUSAND dollars
8. Ask ONE THOUSAND donors for TEN THOUSAND dollars
9. Ask TEN THOUSAND donors for ONE THOUSAND dollars
10. Ask ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND donors for ONE HUNDRED dollars
By breaking it down this way suddenly the target became a lot smaller. Mr Schuller was successful in raising several ONE MILLION dollar gifts and “sold” windows in his building for $10,000 each. Needless to say he was successful in overcoming his idea problem.
Who else has overcome this idea problem I am having?
I can almost guarantee you are not the first person in the history of the world to experience the circumstances you are in right now. Someone, somewhere, has been through this exact same problem. Your challenge is who are they, where do I find them, and how can I get them to help me?
There are several ways you can do this, the easiest is to ask them. You can also approach people by email, letter, phone, or by reading their book. Donald Trump has been through similar problems to me but has not been receptive to my approaches, so I read his books and learn from his stories.
We have a family member who has just been through a cancer experience. She has immersed herself in support groups talking with others who have been through the exact same problem, she has read books and pamphlets, and is now equipped to deal with her circumstances with the right support in place.
I know, by reading his books, that Mark Victor Hansen (co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul and The One Minute Millionaire) has been through similar struggles in business to what I have experienced recently. So this month I will be meeting him at a conference in Los Angeles where I intend to ask him for help.
Why am I facing this idea problem?
I just finished watching the movie ‘Evan Almighty’ with my kids Jackson and Grace. Near the end God (Morgan Freeman) meets Evan’s wife in a diner and says “Sounds to me like an opportunity… when someone prays for courage, does God give them courage or does He give them an opportunity to be courageous?” From this conversation I believe the writers of the movie are saying that in every circumstance there is something we need to see, learn, or develop.
If you are currently undergoing an idea problem sometimes it’s useful to step back from the situation and ask yourself “What can I possibly learn from this situation?” When you do that, you will suddenly see the circumstances from an entirely different perspective and from that perspective you will often also see the solution!
If you used to think you had a money problem and now see that you have an idea problem you can be empowered to overcome your circumstances in a totally new and refreshing way. You will not be limited by your circumstances because you will count to ten with no limitations, you will ask those who have gone before you for their help, and you will learn from the situation and grow as a result of it.
Finally, I’ve always said that money is easy to manipulate because it’s just numbers on paper. If you’re really desperate, change the numbers and see how you go!
PS. Thanks to those of you who have sent amazing feedback about the Book Becoming Money Wise. We’re now getting profiled on both radio and newspaper. We’ll see how the book is received in Los Angeles later in the month.
