Quit bringing a plastic spoon to a firefight

I was on a webinar recently that was endorsed by someone I like. (I can’t remember who, but it’s fine, we all like different things.) And the advice was stuff I’ve heard about a trillion times. That the “magical secret key” to more monetary success is a visualization or a relaxation exercise, or something else you do to change yourself. And that “looking outside yourself” is a trap.

Sorry (not sorry), but No.

No amount of time imagining that the universe will “gift” you with riches is going to make a difference.

Because privilege and success come from environment first.

Yes, you absolutely have to get your head on straight. Because we need to take action in order to live, and our brains control the actions we can take.

To change your bank account, the most important thing you can do is to change the structure you’re embedded in.

Like:

• Spending more time with people who are doing well (this isn’t “sucking up to rich people,” but forming a network with folks who have financial and other bandwidth to work with you)
• Building out processes you can live with (these sometimes look weird for those of us with peculiar brains, and that’s ok)
• Getting help with your brain chemistry if needed (if you don’t make the right neurotransmitters, store-bought is completely fine)
• Reaching out to our ecosystems to discover where we can help, and where we can get the support we need

Mindset work can be terribly useful. We do need to take care of ourselves in order to function well. (Professionally and also personally.)

But “Just think differently and the cash will fall into your lap” is a lie

If your issues are systemic (and most issues are), bringing positive thinking to the battle is like bringing a plastic spoon to a firefight.

That spoon is just gonna melt. And what you actually need is connection to the water supply.

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Post photo by Padraig Treanor on Unsplash