How Much Risk Can You Tolerate?

Written by Barbara Huson

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.

There are 3 factors to help you figure it out.

The Secret to Success in Only Five Words

Written by Barbara Huson

One day, I was glancing at the Wall Street Journal, when 5 words grabbed my attention. “The survival of the focused.”

I forget what the article was about. But I knew those five words carried a powerful message. A message High Earners live by. But one Underearners have failed to grasp.

Without focus, it’s easy to get sidetracked by multiple distractions fighting for your attention. But with focus, conflicting objectives cease to control you, making it easier (and less stressful) to take decisive action without second guessing.

What’s the trick to getting focused? Getting crystal clear on your priorities, what’s really important to you. All else goes on the back burner.

How the Wealthy Think

Written by Barbara Huson

F. Scott Fitzgerald once declared: “The rich are different than you and me.” To which Ernest Hemingway responded: “Yes. They have more money.”

I’d take it a step further: “But why do the rich have more money?” And my answer would be: “Because the rich think differently.”

So how do the wealthy think? The other day, I made a list of things I consistently hear successful women (and men) say. To be clear, I’m not talking about highly paid celebrities that go bankrupt, but those who sustain their wealth over a long period.

Finding Your Purpose (Exercise Included)

Written by Barbara Huson

In my interviews with highly successful woman—women making high six- and seven-figures–I was struck by how they all seemed possessed by an almost divine sense of purpose.

I was reminded of a quote from Joan of Arc: “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”

That’s how a Higher Purpose feels. You must do this, no matter what happens, no matter how frightened you are, no matter how impossible it seems.

Purposes can range from the blatantly ambitious (create world peace) to the seemingly trivial (lead a simple life).

STOP What You’re Doing…NOW!!!

Written by Barbara Huson

I once read a Wall Street Journal interview with George Schultz, former Secretary of State. He recalled running into Steve Job’s wife at a party.

When he asked where her husband was, she responded: “Oh, Steve’s taking six months off to think.”

Taking time off has long been respected by creative geniuses, primitive cultures and Eastern religions.

But few in our society teach, or even encourage, this practice any more. To many, down-time is a dirty word. And I know why.

Without endless activity, we’re left with empty space. And empty space gives rise to painful feelings.

Problems Are Starting Points

Written by Barbara Huson

I had a profound revelation while interviewing successful women. Their financial achievements were invariably preceded by a financial challenge.

That’s when I realized: problems have a purpose. They’re trying to get your attention.

The place to begin is admitting what’s not working in your life. It could be anything from bankruptcy or burn out; from feeling undervalued or overworked; from getting a divorce, or desperately wanting one

No matter how subtle, how small, or how sizable and scary, your willingness to face the problem head on is the first step to breaking through it.

You Say You Want More Money, But…

Written by Barbara Huson

If intentions are so powerful, why don’t they always pan out? What if you swear you want to make more money? Your intent is sincere, your desire is strong, but try as you might, your paycheck remains paltry.

If this is the case, it’s for this reason:

You get what you want, not what you ask for.

The distinction is critical.

We all have numerous intentions. Many we aren’t even aware of. You run into trouble when your expressed goals are at odds with your unconscious desires.

When a buried intention—say, to stay safe or be comfortable—is stronger than your spoken one—to be profitable—you’ll stop yourself at every turn.

If you’re not getting it, for whatever reason, chances are, unconsciously, you may not want it. This is why the inner work is so critical.

You must dig a little deeper to make sure that…

your declared intention is an authentic reflection of who you are and what you want
conflicting intentions aren’t inadvertently impeding your progress
your intent to profit doesn’t run counter to the way you were raised, the role you’ve assumed, or the beliefs you embrace.

Can you identify the intentions that are keeping you from getting what you say you want? Leave me a comment below.

Don’t Even Try…

Written by Barbara Huson

We all have our internal critics. The part that tell us what we can’t possibly do. Mine insists, quite convincingly: “You can’t do that! You don’t have what it takes.”

Those voices may never shut up. But just because you hear voices in your head, doesn’t mean you have to follow them.

As Vincent Van Gogh once said: “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you can not paint,’ by all means paint and the voice will be silenced.”

Indeed, keep reminding yourself: “that’s not my voice.” It’s the voice of a parent, the culture, teachers, friends, something ‘out there.’ But it isn’t mine.

The Downside of Personal Growth

Written by Barbara Huson

Have you noticed that whenever you change, you’re sure to upset someone close to you? Usually someone who’s resisting moving forward themselves. It could be a spouse, a parent, or a friend.

It happened to me with my second husband. I was an aspiring journalist when we met, sorely underpaid, but with lots of free time. Three months after the wedding, I decided to focus on building a profitable business.

He didn’t like this ‘new me’ one bit. It eventually led to our divorce.

At first I was crushed. But when I started interviewing six-figure women for my second book, it hit me.

To go to the next level financially, I had to surround myself with people who were cheering me on, not trying to rein me in.

Where Success Hides

Written by Barbara Huson

For years, whenever my daughters felt stuck or confused, they’d always call me for advice.

“What are you most afraid to do?” I’d ask every time.

They’d tell me and inevitably I’d reply: “Then that’s exactly what you need to do next.”

They didn’t like my response, of course, but when they followed it, they always met with success.

Nowadays, they don’t even bother asking. They finally realized what every successful woman I’ve ever interviewed eventually figured out.

Life Lessons

How Much Risk Can You Tolerate?

The Secret to Success in Only Five Words

How the Wealthy Think

Finding Your Purpose (Exercise Included)

STOP What You’re Doing…NOW!!!

Problems Are Starting Points

You Say You Want More Money, But…

Don’t Even Try…

The Downside of Personal Growth

Where Success Hides

Meet Barbara Huson

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