A Sure-Fire Way to Increase Your Self Worth

Written by Barbara Huson

In my interviews, I always asked High Earners: “Are you doing what you’re doing for the money?”

“No”, they told me, quite vehemently. What drove them was passion, challenge, recognition. But not money, they insisted.

Yet, in the next breath, they all said the same thing. “But I damn well want to be well compensated…because I know I’m worth it!”

Where did their strong sense of self-worth come from, I initially wondered? As a chronic underearner, I wanted what they had. The answer soon became stunningly clear.

It turns out they all followed a simple strategy. Initially, they were afraid to speak up and tell the truth. But, at some point, they forced themselves to ask for what they wanted and say ‘no’ to what they didn’t want.

How Much Risk Can You Handle?

Written by Barbara Huson

With inflation still soaring and markets still turbulent, it’s a good time to discuss an important concept: Risk tolerance.

You’ve probably heard those words bandied about when talk turns to investing. But do you know what they mean?

Risk tolerance is generally defined as the ability to stomach large swings in the value of your investment portfolio. Because the market, by nature, is very volatile, understanding your risk tolerance is vital for making prudent decisions.

Here are 3 factors to help you figure out how much risk you can tolerate:

The 3 Questions. (Everything You Need to Know About Creating Wealth)

Written by Barbara Huson

I’ve recently had several thought-provoking conversations centered around three fundamental questions:

What is Wealth?
How do you create Wealth (without becoming a workaholic?)
Why is creating Wealth so scary?

Today, I’d like to share my perspective on these questions. Let’s begin with the first—what is wealth?

Simply put, Wealth is having more than you need…so money ceases to be a source of stress and becomes a tool for living life fully.

But like any tool, you must understand how to use it skillfully and wisely to get maximum benefit with minimum risk. Which brings us to the 2nd question.

All the Answers Aren’t ‘Out There’

Written by Barbara Huson

I spent most of my adult life desperately trying to figure out money. I had to. My husband was gambling it away at a rapid pace. So I dutifully went to classes, read books, talked to advisors. Nothing helped.

Then, something miraculous happened. When I began journaling about my frustration, I began to breakthrough my blocks.

As I’d write, I’d hear a familiar voice in my head telling me how stupid I was. Up until then, I just assumed that voice was right and there was nothing I could do.

But, this time, instead of letting that voice hold sway, as I always did, I decided to get to know it better. I asked the voice where it came from and what it wanted.

No More Claw Marks

Written by Barbara Huson

There’s a story about an experienced mountain climber who trips, falls, and is clinging precariously to the side of a ledge.

“Help me, God,” she cries.

Suddenly she hears a voice.

“I’ll help you Sadie, but first you must do one thing,”

“I’ll do anything,” she says.

And the voice replies, “You gotta’ let go of the ledge.”

Are You Playing Full Out?

Written by Barbara Huson

In work, as in life, there are only 2 games you can play.

I call the first game the Underearners Game or Not to Lose Game. The second game is the High Earners Game or To Win Game.

Underearners play the Not to Lose Game, which means focusing on playing it safe, looking good and staying comfortable, avoiding anything that could possibly be scary, awkward, embarrassing or (gasp!) lead to failure.

High Earners play the To Win Game by going as far as they can with all that they’ve got. And when they fall, they get back up and keep going. Which means, despite their fear, they keep playing full out.

Which one are you playing? (Be honest, now!)

Putting the Fun into Finances!

Written by Barbara Huson

I want to share the inspiring tale of a woman (I’ll call her Jane) who discovered the stunning power of women joining with other women to take their financial lives higher.

I’ve never met Jane. But recently, she emailed me to say a good friend started an Overcoming Underearning® Book Club, that she joined. The club of five women meet monthly, at 7:30 am for what they dubbed, “OU Power Breakfasts.”

They read a different financial book each month. I am proud to report the first was mine — Overcoming Underearning®. Next was On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Personal Finance by Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar.

How Does One Become Wealthy? — Part 3

Written by Barbara Huson

According to success guru, Jack Canfield, “Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it.”

I thought of that quote when a woman, in one of my groups, recently posted: “Even though I say I want to create wealth, I keep signing up for more courses that kept putting me deeper in debt.”

I hear this all the time. Taking endless classes feels like you’re taking action, but it’s actually an act of self-deception. So, I responded with a question: Why don’t you want wealth?

How Does One Become Wealthy? — Part 1

Written by Barbara Huson

I’m often asked this question: I want to become wealthy, but how do I do it?

I am tempted to respond with a line from Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus:

“How does one become a butterfly?” she asked pensively.

“You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”

In other words, you must want to soar so much, that you’re willing to give up playing small and staying safe.

National Women’s (semi)Equality Day

Written by Barbara Huson

Monday, August 26th we celebrated National Women’s Equality Day recognizing the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920 which gave women the right to vote.

Honestly, I know I should be celebrating this victory. But I’m having a hard time getting in the mood.

Hey, don’t get me wrong. I’m beyond grateful to those gutsy, courageous suffragettes.

But recently I listened to a Ted Talk by one of my favorite actresses, read a WSJ profile of an acclaimed microbiologist and coached a high-level executive…all of whom wearily spoke of their struggles with sexism.

Clearly full equality is far from won. The Equal Rights Amendment, proposed in 1923, has yet to be ratified. Face it, we can’t rely on the government to level the playing field for us.

If we want a seat at the table, it’s our job to take it. We can start by becoming the change we want to see in the world.

Call it a grassroots effort, a personal challenge. What if we each celebrate National Women’s Equality Day by taking on this challenge with the same ferocity and fortitude demonstrated by the suffragettes?

How? Here are a few simple suggestions. And, while they may be simple, they take tremendous courage and commitment.

Notice every time you devalue yourself or dismiss your strengths and STOP, immediately shifting your focus to the unique and valuable the gifts you have to offer.
Notice where you give your power away and strive to take it back by speaking up—asking for what you want, saying ‘no’ to what you don’t—in your home, your community, your workplace.
Notice when you feel scared, isolated or helpless and make yourself reach out for support, then offer to help and encourage others in this endeavor.

I truly believe, when enough women see themselves as worthy, capable, powerful individuals, there will be a notable transformation in the national landscape.

Perhaps then we’ll be celebrating National Equality Day for All.

Will you join me? Leave me a comment below.

Life Lessons

A Sure-Fire Way to Increase Your Self Worth

How Much Risk Can You Handle?

The 3 Questions. (Everything You Need to Know About Creating Wealth)

All the Answers Aren’t ‘Out There’

No More Claw Marks

Are You Playing Full Out?

Putting the Fun into Finances!

How Does One Become Wealthy? — Part 3

How Does One Become Wealthy? — Part 1

National Women’s (semi)Equality Day

Meet Barbara Huson

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