This article was originally written and published on SuccessNet.org in 2005.
Recently, someone wrote to me asking if I would share what level of financial success I had achieved.
I think what he really wanted to know was if this stuff (ideas, principles and strategies) actually worked. He wanted to have some proof that what we teach is based on some actual results.
The name of the writer, has of course, been changed.
First, here is some of what “Chris” wrote:
“. . . in other words, financially speaking, how successful have you become so far using the techniques and tools you recommend to us?
Hopefully that question doesn’t sound crass. Financial success is one of the most important kinds of success to me, so any time I follow a success course I like to find out what level of financial success the author has achieved.
Thanks Michael, I look forward to learning the answer, and in return I will tell my friends about your course as you requested.”
Here is my response:
“Dear Chris,
Thank you for writing and telling me how much you enjoy reading our material.
I thought for some time about whether or not to fully answer your question.
I’m not sure what country you’re from, but here in our culture it is at best uncommon to ask someone’s income. In fact, out of over 43,000 members, no one has ever inquired as to how much money I make.
For several reasons, I hesitate to share my income with you. If I tell you I make $100,000, that might not be a lot to you. Even $500,000 or a million a year might not seem significant in your view. Or it might just seem too fantastic.
I believe financial achievements are an important part of success, but I don’t think they are the MOST important part of success.
I WILL tell you this: Ten years ago, my financial life was in ruins. I was more than broke. Broke would have been a big step up. I was in debt over $350,000 and had no financial assets.
Today, I have an abundant life: a beautiful and loving wife, a comfortable home, work I love, a yacht, a retirement portfolio, a solid, inflation-proof income and a business worth several hundred thousand dollars. I consider myself a very wealthy man—financial assets being only part of that.
And all this has happened in the last five years. I attribute this success to the principles and strategies which we write about and teach. They are not only my own, but those of many other credible people who have found what works.
I don’t know you, Chris, and I recognize that I may be making some incorrect assumptions.
Nonetheless, you sound to me like someone who needs to see things before you can believe them. I submit that you must believe it before you can see it. Trust your gut, your intuition—your inner wisdom. At some level, you know what’s true and what isn’t.
Success is an INSIDE job. I believe that if you only go for the money—you may very well get it, but you will miss out on more important wealth.
However, if you go for being your best, you can achieve the financial success you desire, but you will have also become much richer in things far more valuable than money.
This is solid, practical principle.
I believe if we deliver exceptional value, we will attract the people and experiences we need to achieve our unique potential. My experience has proven this to be true. I no longer feel a need to do a particular deal. I no longer feel anxious about whether some opportunity will be missed. No one can take my good from me.
I trust that as I seek my spiritual path and am true to myself and others, that all will unfold as it should.
I wish the best of success to you, Chris. The fact that you’re searching for the right information is indicative that you want more in life.
We find what we’re looking for so it’s very important to look for the right things.
Make it a great day.”
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