“A paradigm is a set of rules and regulations that defines boundaries and tells you what to do within those boundaries." Joe Barker, Discovering the Future: the Business of Paradigms

The ideas and attitudes about money that you currently hold are based on your existing "paradigms." How you view yourself in relationship to your money determines your money paradigm.

Many of the generally accepted ideas about money go back to the 1930’s and the Great Depression. Attitudes that were etched on the collective consciousness and taken for granted at that time remain the same today, even though the world around us is markedly changed. The way we were taught; to get a job, to work and then to retire to the golf course may still be true for some, but as greater numbers of us reach what once was considered “retirement age” the old rules no longer seem to apply.

We are healthier than ever, living longer and need to express creative energy long past the traditional retirement years. The way we were told to marry, to raise kids and then to die gracefully is a story out of the distant past. In the 21st century personal financial decisions and government policies made in reaction to the Depression no longer make much sense. Taking charge of one’s own personal financial destiny means breaking the old paradigms about money and about how we live our lives.

One of the newer concepts of personal finance is “prosperity consciousness.” What this means is that money, prosperity and true wealth are inside-out jobs. No matter how much money a person has or does not have, it is their relationship to money that makes the difference. The way we believe ourselves worthy and of value is the way we prosper, or flounder, financially. A lack of money is rooted in a lack of self-worthiness and by not owning our highest potential. Focus, clarity and action are the healing ingredients to prosperity consciousness.

Taking charge and taking responsibility for what you want, for what you want to create, and for the contribution you wish to make to humanity are paramount to creating wealth. We all know people who have lots of money and yet are miserable. What is missing is living a purposeful life.

Recently, I ended a business deal with an associate who was excessively greedy in his demands for compensation. He was only interested in what he could “get” and did not accept that his demands were inappropriate to his contribution. It occurred to me that his way of doing business is the old method – “I’ll get as much as I can.” The people with whom I do business these days focus on the contribution they are making to the success of the project, not just on what they will get from it. My reaction to these contributors is how can I help them to succeed? And so the circle goes around.

"If you can clearly envision your dream (or goal) and continuously work toward it, you can and will create what you envision. It is only a matter of making consistent choices based on a clear plan for where you are going. With a clear vision and a commitment to make choices which support your plan of action, you cannot fail"

Living a purposeful life brings great joy, satisfaction and true wealth. Start this New Year with a revisit to your “vision” of what is possible for you in this new century. Vision is defined as an end point that is global in nature. It is a dream you have no idea of "how to” accomplish right now. Let yourself dream big! You may be amazed at what you can achieve. There are no limits to what you can achieve when your vision and your actions are in alignment. As the song says, “How you goin’ to have a dream come true if you don’t have a dream?” The clarity of your vision and taking congruent actions towards its realization will assist you to achieve the “impossible dream.” Allow, rather than make, your dream to happen, and trust the universe to support you in producing your highest good and the contribution you desire to make.

Here are some “vision” questions for you to consider in the year 2000.

What kind of lifestyle would make you glad to get up in the morning? Begin by writing an imaginary story of your life as if it already exists just the way that you want it. The following categories may help you.

1. Workday: What is your typical day like now that you have the perfect career/work? What are you doing for most of the day? Who are you talking to and about what are you talking?

2. Self-Care: What are your vacations like, and how many are you taking? What else do you do for your physical, spiritual, and mental well being?

3. Community Service: How are you contributing to the good of the community? What higher purpose or cause sustains you?

4. Home: Where are you living and why? Do you have more than one home? Do you rent or buy?

5. Travel: Where, and how often, do you travel for pleasure and/or business?

6. Health: What do you do to stay active, healthy and energized? When and how much?

7. Relationships: On what do you base your business/personal relationships? How much of your time do you spend interacting with friends, family and business associates? Do you need private time to just get away from everybody? If so, how do you accomplish this?

8. Financial: What do you do with extra money? What financial priorities do you have? How much money is enough for you?

Make this the beginning of your best year yet. Take time out at this busy Holiday season to write down and read often where you are headed in the new century.

To you and your family the very best and joyous prosperity for the New Year.

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The founder of Wealth and Wisdom Seminars, Marilyn August is a professional speaker and master facilitator who develops her seminars with the passion of personal experience and the expertise of over twenty years in adult education.

She holds a Masters degree in Education from Northern Illinois University, and has designed, developed and presented training programs to major corporations including American Honda Motor Company, AST Research, Inc., AAA Chicago Motor Club and Chevron Oil.

Known for her light-hearted, pragmatic, yet deeply personal approach to financial success, Marilyn's quest for emotional and financial freedom has led to the discovery of a number of principles, techniques and tools that have helped thousands of people achieve financial well-being.