Success | Barbara Huson

A Tribute to the Man Who Changed My Life, Financially

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

I want to take a moment to pay tribute to John Bogle, the legendary founder of the Vanguard Group and the inventor of the index fund.

John Bogle, who died last week, taught me more about the wisdom of wealth building than anyone else.

Bogle had a simple, though radical, message: buy a diversified portfolio of low cost funds and stay the course, regardless of the market’s gyration or your fearful emotions.

“The mutual fund business is where you get what you don’t pay for,” he said.

Amen to that. And history has proven him right. Over the past 15 years, passive index funds have outperformed almost 90% of actively managed funds.

“If all investors had heeded his ideas,” declared Warren Buffet, another legendary financier, “they would be hundreds of billions of dollars better off than they are now.”

It took me a few years and some painful losses before I discovered Bogle’s wisdom. I’m beyond grateful I did. For over two decades, despite 9 market crashes (when the market falls at least 20%), I’ve done quite well.

From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you, John Bogle. You left the world a better place.

What teachers are you grateful for in your life? Leave me a comment below.

Give yourself the Gift of Wealth in 2019! Join my virtual community, The Wealth Connection and Become a Savvy & Confident Investor! Learn More!

How an Ancient Mystic Transformed My Work

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

Yoga class begins. “Hold out your hands,” the teacher says, “to receive something you truly desire.”

Then he quotes Rumi: ‘What you seek is seeking you.”

And I, arms outstretched, stand transfixed. What if that were true? What if that which I desire is heading to me like a heat seeking missile? And even more, what if I believed, without doubt, it will swiftly hit its target (me), no struggle required.

During Downward Dog, I make a decision. I’m taking Rumi’s words as gospel truth.

As I sink into Child’s Pose, I flash back to a poster that once hung in my office, a quote from Richard Bach: “You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.” At the very bottom, in tiny letters: “You may have to work for it, however.” At this point, I am in Warrior Pose, which feels quite fitting.

By Savasana, the final resting pose, I’m fired up. I race home to start working on my deepest desire, a proposal for my next book–The Rewire Response: Mind Training for Wealth Building—which I’d long been procrastinating…for good reason..

Writing proposals has always been an excruciating experience. My ego would scream, “You write like s**t!” I literally had to force myself to keep going.

This time, my desire was not just to write, but do it with ease and joy.

Now, a few months later, my proposal almost complete, I can honestly say it was a much different process. Not because the writing was easier. Hell no! Writing’s never easy for me. But instead of panicking when I wrote crap (my early drafts are always crap!), I actually delighted in the process of polishing each word until the sentences sparkled.

Amazing how a tiny shift in perception can make such a major difference.

What about you? Do you have a desire you want to bring to fruition this year? How are you feeling about it? Share below.

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A Radical New Way of Making New Year’s Resolutions

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

I used to do it every year. Then I stopped. Last weekend, however, I was drawn to make New Year’s resolutions.

It felt really good to list them: Write another book. Create a home study course. Visit my kids more frequently. Get away with my hubby. Yoga class at least 3 times a week.

But when I reviewed the list, I was surprised by my reaction. Instead of being pumped up, I felt uninspired. Huh? These were things I deeply desire, achievements that would surely feed my soul. Why wasn’t I excited?

I remembered a line from A Course in Miracles: “Seek not outside yourself…for you will surely fail.” In other words, I’ll never find what I really want if I keep looking for it ‘out there’ or stipulating where to find it.

Then I have a flash back. New Year’s Eve, 1995. At the top of my list: Finish my first book. Not because I enjoy the writing. But as a published author, I’ll finally feel important. Two years pass. I walk by a bookstore, see my book in the window, and wait to feel important. The feeling never came.

Looking back at that memory, I realize that what I’m wanting isn’t actually a tangible goal. It’s how I want to feel once I attain it.

I make a brand new list: To savor the gratification and joy writing gives me. To relish in the pleasure of working with my team in the creation of something new. To spend more time immersed in the love of my family. And to feel connected to my soul, healthy in my body and experience extended periods of inner peace.

Reading these now, I feel energized, excited for whatever unexpected events or unimagined opportunities the universe may bring.

What if you did the same? Rewrite your resolutions, listing the feelings you wish to experience without insisting you know how to find them, Share your thoughts below.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday and a healthy, happy, prosperous new year. I’ll be back in 2019.

Give yourself the Gift of Wealth in 2019! Join my virtual community, The Wealth Connection and Become a Savvy & Confident Investor! Learn More!

Lifting Heavier Weights

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

Have you noticed, in gyms, when guys are lifting really heavy weights, they ask someone, often a perfect stranger, to spot them?

How many times have you seen a woman do that? Hardly ever! We’ll hire trainers. But ask another to spot us? Unthinkable.

I always thought this scenario was a perfect metaphor for how many women tend to approach life. Here’s why:

1st, we rarely lift very heavy weights.

2nd, we don’t want to bother anyone.

3rd, we’re determined to do it alone.

Yet, to achieve success, in anything, requires us to lift heavier weights. This is how we build up confidence and strength to climb to greater heights.

And we can’t do it alone. We need spotters—people we trust to have our backs, to encourage us when the going gets tough or high-five us when we finally lift that heavy weight.

Seven years ago, I shared my gym observation with a friend, Suzy Carroll, who, being the leader she is, formed a spotters group with four of us. What a remarkable experience it’s been.

Once a month, we gather after work, or lately, on the weekends, at someone’s house. Each one takes her turn, sharing what’s on her mind, be it a troublesome situation or a thrilling victory. The others offer loving support, candid feedback, often relating their own similar experiences.

Our meetings usually last about two hours. We don’t leave without setting another date when we’re all available. Not an easy task for busy women, but we’ve made it work.

It’s been incredible to witness how each of us has grown, in ways we could never have imagined at the outset. And we know, with utter certainty, we would’ve never progressed this far alone.

I heartily encourage you to form your own spotters group. I swear…it’s truly life changing.

Do you have a support group you’re part of? Tell me about it below.

Looking for support? I created my virtual community, The Wealth Connection to support women in their financial journey. Join today and hop on my Live Office Hours Call! www.husonwealthconnection.com

The Myth of the Massive Leap

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

I recently got a message on Facebook: “I want to make a quantum leap. Tell me, Barbara, how do I do that?”

My answer: “Take lots of tiny steps.”

If her lack of response was any indication, I don’t think she liked my reply.

But the truth is, that’s precisely how quantum leaps, colossal successes, radical transformations occur…one small step at a time.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better description of this process than a quote by one of my favorite actresses, Julianne Moore.

“You don’t start out thinking, I’m going to be a star!

You think, I hope I get an agent.

Then, I hope I get an audition.

Then, I hope I get a job.

If you think too far ahead, it’s just overwhelming.

It’s better to just keep on going, bit by bit, one foot in front of the other.”

Amen to that! The most dazzling dreams start with the most trivial activities—looking up a phone number, making an appointment, writing an email.

What small step will you make in the direction of your dreams? Leave a comment below.

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Is It Just Me? Or Are You Angry Too?

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

Excuse me while I vent. My insides are seething with rage and frustration. I write this to make sense of it all.

My fury was fostered during the 2016 election with the alarming rise of blatant misogyny, which despite #MeToo, continues to intensify.

It’s certainly not all men. But reading the news is both infuriating and deeply painful. I feel like my heart is being ripped from my chest every time I witness another woman being belittled, harassed, marginalized or disparaged.

As one who’s devoted my entire career to women’s liberation and empowerment, I feel inexpressibly sad. And deeply disturbed by what I see. Even Lean In author Sheryl Sandberg recently announced that women’s progress has essentially “dragged to a halt.”

And she issued a dire warning, reported in the Wall Street Journal: “We’re at a really critical moment. Women are entering the US workforce in the highest numbers in decades, but gender parity isn’t improving.”

Yes, we’re “liberated.” We’re free to work…or not. But alas (heavy sigh) we have yet to be respected, valued or treated as equals.

If, as Sheryl cautioned, this is a critical moment, what can I, what can we do?

The instant I asked that question, I heard Gandhi’s guidance. What if we, as individuals, intensify our efforts to become the change we want to see in the world?

What if we each focus on strengthening our own sense of self-respect by ceasing to belittle, marginalize, or disparage our self?

What if you and I genuinely valued all that we bring to the table, especially those gifts we take for granted? What if each of us commits to reaching our fullest potential, despite the obstacles and fears?

Is that the solution for transforming our divisive culture into one of mutual respect? I have no idea. But it’s a place to start. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Leave me a comment below.

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Are You Really Playing Full Out?

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

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

The Underearning Game (Not to Lose)
The High Earning Game (To Win)

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

The goal of the Underearning Game is Not to Lose, which means you must focus on playing it safe, looking good and staying comfortable, avoiding anything that could possibly be scary, awkward, embarrassing or (gasp!) lead to failure.

The goal of the High Earning Game is To Win by going as far as you can with all that you’ve got. And when you fall down, you get back up and keep going. Which means, despite your fear, you keep playing full out.

Problem is, it can be tough to tell which game you’re playing. There are times when I swear I’m giving my all, but later it hits me. I was fooling myself by holding back (even just a tiny bit means I’m playing it safe).

So, I devised the following list to help assess if you’re really playing to win.

5 Signs I’m Playing Full Out (check what applies to you).

I know what I want and am committed to getting it. (And if I don’t know, I devote time and energy to figuring it out).
I’m so focused on my vision that I don’t get distracted (at least not for long) by irrelevant, draining, or conflicting tasks.
I’m willing to experience whatever it takes—defeat, discomfort, even humiliation—to achieve what I want.
I don’t say ‘yes’ when I really want to say ‘no,’ even if it means upsetting another.
Every time I’m afraid to do something, I force myself to do it anyway. (And I catch myself when I justify not doing it.)

I’d love to hear: How many did you check? Is there anything you’d add to this list? Leave a comment below.

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I Know What To Do! So Why Don’t I??

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

Could this be you? You’ve read volumes on investing, even attended some classes. You understand stocks, bonds, and the value of diversification. You own a few funds in your retirement account.

Still, you continue to ignore or neglect your money, even though you know better. Why?

Blame it on traditional financial education…where the emphasis is on filling your head with facts rather than fostering your courage to change.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been given the tools to boost Self-Efficacy, the most powerful predictor of financial well-being. (I didn’t think so)

Self-Efficacy—a concept developed by the Stanford psychologist Albert Bandura—is a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in a given task or goal.

If you don’t believe you can invest wisely without screwing up irreparably, you likely won’t even try. Or you’ll stop at the first stumbling block. Or worse, unconsciously make bad choices that reaffirms your limiting belief.

Enhancing financial Self-Efficacy is the secret sauce for financial success. It’s the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it, between being competent and feeling confident.

Yet, I doubt you’ll be shown how to shore up Self-Efficacy by most professional advisors. But thanks to Dr. Bandura’s research, here are 4 powerful techniques to do just that:

Experience Success—Select a task that’s sufficiently challenging but definitely doable. Have that money talk with your spouse. Organize your financial documents. Balance your checkbook. As the saying goes, “confidence is a memory of success.”
Find Role Models—Observe friends, family, even perfect strangers who are financially savvy. Watching others successfully complete financial tasks provides not only inspiration, but a template to follow.
Get Encouragement—Hang around with people who will cheer you on because they truly believe in you. Those who say, “I know you can do it!” Stay away from naysayers.
Manage Emotions—if you’re depressed, traumatized or anxious, the inner work is crucial. Read self-help books. Find a counselor. Join a support group. Talk to a friend. Whatever it takes to relieve your pain, stress, worry and fear.

What can you do today to increase your Financial Self-Efficacy?

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The Compulsion to Compare

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

Every time you log into Facebook, you risk falling prey to a debilitating disorder. I call it The Compulsion to Compare—judging yourself against others successes and coming up painfully short.

Lord knows, it happens to me. A lot! To keep from spiraling into self-recrimination, I repeat a rhyme my grandpa taught me long ago:

If every man’s eternal care

Were written on his brow,

How many would our pity share

That hold our envy now?

Those words remind me that virtually everyone struggles with their own ‘internal cares.’

But what distinguishes the Successful is that they don’t let their fear, worry, self-doubt or whatever burdens they bear stop them…at least not for long.

They feel the fear, suffer the distractions but stay the course. And when they fall down, as they always do, they get back up and keep going. The truth is, Greatness can only be achieved by transcending your inner turmoil.

I’d love to know: Have you ever struggled with The Compulsion to Compare?

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How to Know if You’re Really Committed

Written by Barbara Huson, The Leading Authority on Women and Wealth

I have a theory. Each of us has a Patron Saint of Risk. Every time you dare do something different—make more money, write a book, start a business—this benevolent cosmic being sends a flock of angels (disguised as negative people) to tell you what a dumb idea it is.

These folks serve a very important function. They come to test your level of commitment. If you notice, the more tentative you feel, the more pessimistic they sound.

If they succeed in discouraging you, be grateful. Deep down, you just didn’t have enough moxie to make your idea work. If on the other hand, you are determined to succeed despite all the naysayers, you most likely will.

Face it. Without commitment, you can’t possibly succeed. But once you commit fully, you can’t possibly fail.

Commitment is what keeps you going despite rejection, disappointment or failure.In fact, to someone committed, failure doesn’t exist. It’s simply one more thing that didn’t work.

What’s frustrating however, is when you vow to accomplish something but to no avail. Projects fall apart. People renege on promises. Opportunities dry up. Your enthusiasm wanes. What then?

This may be a sign you’re on the wrong track. When you’re attempting something at odds with your authentic desires, your resolve will fizzle at the first hurdle.

A few years back, I was determined to learn to ride a motorcycle. My husband, a Harley fanatic, has two in our garage. Wouldn’t it be cool if I could ride alongside him? But the moment I took a tumble on the first day of motorcycle class, that was it. Clearly I wasn’t committed. I’d be just as happy on the back of hubby’s bike.

When you find yourself perpetually thwarted with a project you’ve tackled, here’s my advice. Instead of beating yourself up or struggling mightily to make it work, step back and dig deeper. Is this something I want so badly that I’m willing to fall down repeatedly until I finally succeed? Is this my soul’s yearning or simply an arbitrary ‘should’ I put on myself?

As D.H. Lawrence once suggested: “If it doesn’t absorb you, if it isn’t fun, don’t do it!”Amen to that!

What clues do you look for to determine if what you say you want to do is really an authentic desire? Leave a comment below.

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A Tribute to the Man Who Changed My Life, Financially

How an Ancient Mystic Transformed My Work

A Radical New Way of Making New Year’s Resolutions

Lifting Heavier Weights

The Myth of the Massive Leap

Is It Just Me? Or Are You Angry Too?

Are You Really Playing Full Out?

I Know What To Do! So Why Don’t I??

The Compulsion to Compare

How to Know if You’re Really Committed

Meet Barbara Huson

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