Life Lessons
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5 Things $mart Women Do

Written by Barbara Huson

There’s an old joke. Why did God create economists? To make weather forecasters look good.

The truth is, no one knows what the economy, or the various markets, are going to do.

I used to think there were a list of secrets that smart people, mostly men, knew. And if I could just get my hand on that list, I’d finally understand money.

But as I grew smarter, it became apparent. There are no secrets. But there are smart things that smart people do.

Here are five of them that really helped me.

1. Trust your intuition—most smart women tell me they made their worst mistakes when they didn’t trust their better judgement.
2. Learn from your mistakes—too many women become paralyzed by their fear of making mistakes. But smart women told me their biggest blunders were actually their best teachers. You can minimize those mistakes by following the next 3 suggestions.
3. Go slow—take time to educate yourself and develop a game plan,
4. Start small. Invest regularly. Diversify broadly.—invest small amounts of money, on a regular basis, among various categories, or asset classes, putting only what you can afford to lose in any single investment.
5.Understand what you’re buying—never put money in anything you don’t understand. Not only do you not know what you’re buying, but you won’t know when it’s time to sell.

What’s the best investment advice you ever received? Leave me a comment.

There’s still time to join the next session of my 5-month ReWIRE Mentorship Program!  Click here to learn more.

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Gambling vs Investing

Written by Barbara Huson

I’ve often heard people say: “Investing is no different that gambling.”

Au contraire. There is a big distinction between gambling and investing.

Gambling looks like this:

  • Buying stocks or bonds willy-nilly
  • Following a hot tip
  • Purchasing the hottest fund
  • Trying to time the market (buying when it’s high, freaking out and selling when it plunging)
  • Deferring decisions to another and sticking your head in the sand

Investing, on the other hand, looks like this:

  • Creating a financial plan based on your goals and risk tolerance
  • Building a diversified portfolio, based on the plan
  • Adhering to the plan until something changes
  • Making decisions supported by your plan not your emotions
  • Taking a long term approach (gambling is all about rapid gains)

Having a plan is the key distinction. If you don’t have an idea of where you want to end up, it will be far more difficult to make the right decisions.

Do you have a financial plan in place? Leave a comment below.

Did you miss my free call, The ReWIRE Response: Mind Training for Wealth & Well-Being? I shared 3 simple steps to train you mind to rewire your brain. Click here to listen

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An Eye-Opening Exercise

Written by Barbara Huson

Having trouble getting a handle on money? Try this eye-opening exercise. I call it The Sacred Wealth Circle.

On a blank piece of paper, draw a large circle. Inside the circle, write the names of people you can talk to about money.

Then, outside the circle, write down the names of people you are close to, but can’t discuss finances with because they tend to be naysayers or aren’t interested.

What did you discover?  If you’re like most, there’s not many names inside your circle.

Finding support is critical to gaining financial savvy—from friends, family, mentors and role models. While no one can do it for us, we cannot—should not—do it alone.  

The world needs more supportive communities of women talking openly, candidly about topics that have been taboo for centuries: money, wealth, and power.

That’s why I created my online community,The Wealth Connection—a safe place to talk about money, as women. If you’re interested, click here to learn more.

I’d love to hear what you discovered from doing this exercise? Leave a comment below.

Did you miss my free call, The ReWIRE Response: Mind Training for Wealth & Well-Being? I shared 3 simple steps to train you mind to rewire your brain. Click here to listen

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Unexpected Miracles & Exciting Changes

Written by Barbara Huson

Sometimes change comes quietly, unexpectedly, when everything lines up perfectly. Tiny miracles, cosmic winks, unmistakable signs that a Higher Power is orchestrating the whole thing. That’s exactly what happened for me last weekend.

It all began at a Seattle Lady Bosses event, an amazing gathering of women entrepreneurs. Seated in small groups, we were asked to briefly introduce ourselves. When my turn came, I said, “I’m Barbara Huson, a Wealth Coach.”

Then something surprising happened. That title didn’t feel right, like a dress that no longer fit.

“Wait!” I said, without a clue what was coming next. “What I really am is a Financial Therapist.”

I’d never used those words before! Yet it felt like a moment of self-revelation, a declaration of a deep-seated truth.

I’ve always called myself a coach. Yet I was trained as a psychotherapist. My true passion is diving in deep with a financially challenged client, tunneling through the darkness to find the light, revealing and removing what’s blocking her from creating the wealth she desires, the life she deserves and the power she’s denied.

I also love talking about investing, creating wealth. But number crunching…not so much. I guess I assumed I had to do it as part of the package.

Meanwhile, sitting next to me is Linda Lingo, a ReWire client, Wealth Connection member, a CPA and financial coach for women. I’d had my eye on Linda for years, impressed with her knowledgeable (and compassionate) responses to financial questions from others on our calls.

And there she was, having just flown in from California. Divine intervention at its finest. The next day, we met. We talked. We got excited. And a few days later, we signed an agreement.

I’m thrilled to announce that the incredible Linda Lingo, CPA, is joining my team as a Financial Planning Coach. She’s ready to help you with budgeting, retirement planning, investment strategy, debt repayment. Click here for the details.

Now I can focus on what I do best: Financial Therapy. Truly a miracle!

Have you experienced any unexpected miracles lately? I’d love to hear about it. Leave me a comment below.

And if you live near Seattle, I urge you to check out Lady Bosses: http://seattleladybosses.com/lady-bosses/ 

The world needs financially empowered now more than ever. That’s why I’d like you to join me for a FREE call on April 16th. Register now for The ReWIRE Response: Mind Training for Wealth & Well-Being.

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Taking Your Power Back

Written by Barbara Huson

Check if any of these apply to you:

  • You’re angry, but don’t say anything.
  • You’d like to say ‘no,’ but you can’t.
  • You want something, but don’t ask for it.
  • You get an idea but don’t act on it.

If you’ve checked even one, it’s a sign you’re giving your power away. And I promise, you’re not alone.

The question is: Why are so many women reluctant to say what we think, feel, or need? 

Mostly, to avoid conflict. We’re afraid if we take a stand, we’ll be rejected, disliked, or disapproved of. Instead, we water ourselves down so as not to make waves.

Over time, such acts of self-betrayal destroys our self-esteem, our level of success and quality of life.

Good news! If you can give your power away, you can also take it back. How? 3 Steps.

  1. Ask yourself the Power Question—What do I want? Not what does my husband, or kids or boss or society wants. What do I want? This isn’t a question we’ve often asked, so it may take time to answer.
  2. Look for opportunities to say no to what you don’t want, ask for what you do want, and express what you feel and think. If this is new, it will be very uncomfortable. Do your best.
  3. Get support. Seek out people to be cheerleaders, sounding boards and role models. We women need support when things are scary. And risking backlash can be very scary. But when you think about it…self-betrayal is even scarier.

I’d love to hear where you’ve given your power away…and how you took it back! Leave me a comment below.

If you desire power and control over your money, have a reliable and are no longer debting, I’d like to invite you to schedule a FREE Wealth Clarity Call with one of my team members. Schedule your call now!

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No More Claw Marks

Written by Barbara Huson

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

“Help me, God,” she cries. Then she hears a voice:

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

“I’ll do anything,” she cries.

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

That’s what adversity continually calls us to do: Let go of what is holding us back. If you’re struggling with a seemingly insoluble problem, ask yourself, right now: What do I need to release? And see what comes up.

It may be something tangible, like a job, a relationship, a geographic location. Or it could be an attitude, belief or emotion, like anger, fear, or self-doubt.

I promise you one thing: it’ll probably be what you’re most afraid to give up.

Why is this important? Because letting go creates space for something new to enter.

What do you suspect you need to let go of? Share in the comments.

Wondering where to begin on Your Path to Prosperity? Take this short quiz to find out. Click here.

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The Psychology of Affluence

Written by Barbara Huson

Scott Fitzgerald once said to Hemingway “The rich are different from you and me.” To which the other author replied: “Yes, they have more money.”

True. But let’s take it a step deeper. The reason the rich have more money, I believe, is that they think differently.

My family was wealthy. So were most their friends. I’ve talked to thousands of affluent women. One day, I made a list of things I consistently hear them say, or imply. I’m not talking about highly paid celebrities that go bankrupt, but those who sustain their wealth over a long period.

I came up with 9 common threads that seem to represent how they think.

  1. I am confident about my ability to create wealth. It’s part of my self-image
  2. I respect money and I value myself.
  3. I understand and follow the financial basics.
  4. I see no obstacles. Only opportunities.
  5. I talk possibility. Not limitation.
  6. I’m willing to do the tough stuff (that scares everyone else…and also me!)
  7. I know how to use risk to amplify my wealth.
  8. I rely on a team to help me manage my money.
  9. I take responsibility…for everything.

These 9 traits make great affirmations. There are probably more. Anything you’d add to this list? Share in the comments.

Wondering how to take charge of your money? Don’t know where to start? Take my short Path to Prosperity Quiz to find out. Click here.

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Are You Wealthy?

Written by Barbara Huson

Raise your hand if you feel wealthy. (I’m specifically talking about money here.) If not, how much do you need to feel wealthy?  Think about it.

 

One thing I know for sure, wealth is not an amount. It’s a mindset. I’ve met women worth over $10 million who don’t feel rich. I know many who have far less, like me, and consider themselves wealthy.

 

What we need is a universal definition of wealth. And here’s what I propose: wealth means you have more than enough. 

 

In other words, you know you’re wealthy when money ceases to be a source of stress and becomes a useful tool for creating the life of your dreams.

 

What would it take to make you feel wealthy? Leave a comment below.

Money: Thy Name is Woman

Written by Barbara Huson

Women with money and women in power are two uncomfortable ideas in our society. ~~Candace Bushnell

Do you know  the origin of the word “money”? It might surprise you.

The English word for money came from a Roman goddess, whose name was Juno Moneta. In ancient Rome, she was the guardian of finances. Her temple became the first treasury. It was in her temple that the earliest coins were minted.

Think about what this means. As women, money and power are our birthright. Don’t let anyone try to tell you otherwise!

I’m curious. Did the fact that money was named for a Roman goddess surprise you? Leave a comment below.

Wondering how to take charge of your money? Don’t know where to start? Take my short Path to Prosperity Quiz to find out. Click here.
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The Immense Power of Shifting Your Perception

Written by Barbara Huson

“There is another way of looking at the world.” When I read this lesson from A Course in Miracles (ACIM), I knew I had to share it with you. What I’m really sharing is the profound, but simple, secret to creating miracles AND rewiring your brain. 

 

The secret is this: whenever you’re upset, disturbed or challenged, try consciously changing, or reframing, the way you interpret an event. In other words, firmly say to yourself:  “There must be another way of seeing this.” 

 

Admittedly, reframing can be difficult. I’ve found three techniques that have helped me shift my perception—and, as I’ve only recently understood—reprogram my unhealthy beliefs and behaviors into much healthier ones (which, in itself, is a miracle).

 

One technique is what psychologists call Selective Attention—consciously selecting one thing to concentrate on while ignoring everything else. The absence of attention to what you don’t want weakens maladaptive neuropathways. For example, instead of constantly retelling your old story, talk only about your dreams and desires.

 

Another technique, first introduced by Carl Jung, is Shadow Work. When you don’t like or can’t accept parts of yourself, you disown those traits and project them onto another.  As I wrote in my first book, Prince Charming is simply a projection of the powerful, responsible part you refuse to acknowledge in yourself. When you take back your projections, you come to know the truth of who you really are.

 

The third, as described in ACIM, is understanding The Therapeutic Value of Fear.  Fear, discomfort or pain, the Course explains “is aroused only to bring the need for correction forcibly into awareness.”  For our prehistoric ancestors, fear alerted them to real and ever present danger. But nowadays, fear is alerting you that you’re listening to Ego and you need to course correct by tuning into your Soul. 

 

In my experience, the simple act of seeing things differently has been a game changer.

 

How about you? I’d love to hear about your experience with reframing.

Do you know that women learn better in community? Try my new virtual community, The Wealth Connection and learn to Grow Your Wealth!

Meet Barbara Huson

When a devastating financial crisis rocked her world, Barbara Huson knew she had to get smart about money… and she did. Now, she wants to empower every women to take charge of their money and take charge of their lives! She’s doing just that with her best-selling books, life changing retreats and private financial coaching.

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