Hardy: Our Love-Hate Relationship with Money

Money, Money, Money… We want more of it; we love it and all that it affords. Yet it can be the root of some of life’s most devastating experiences—divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure and destitution.

However, money isn’t the problem.

Just like guns don’t kill people, people with guns kill people, the same misplaced blame is applied to money. Money isn’t your problem; your relationship with money and what you do (or don’t do) with it is the problem.

Your relationship with money and what you do (or don’t do) with it is the problem.

Last month I showed you how you can take something that scares you and fear it no more by simply changing your perspective about it. Just in case you don’t recall, the subject was selling, and I had you take the four letter word S-E-L-L, cross it out and replace it with H-E-L-P. Focusing on helping rather than selling not only makes the entire experience far more comfortable and enjoyable, but it’s actually the key to being successful at it.

This month, I want to alter your mindset about this all-important force in our lives, now formerly known as M-O-N-E-Y. Take this five letter word money and cross it out. Now replace it with V-A-L-U-E. Stop thinking about money as money, and start understanding it as value.

That’s all money is: paper that denotes value. How do you get more money? Create more value. Period. That’s it.

If you are employed, why does the company you work for pay you money? Mistakenly, most people say, “for my time.” That’s incorrect. If that were true, you could just come in and sleep. No, they pay you for the value you deliver during the time you are working. If you deliver lots more value than is expected during that time, they will want to pay you even more money—in bonuses, raises and promotions—to keep you and the value you bring. If you deliver less value during the time you are working for them, they will stop paying you money. Or as our friend Donald Trump likes to say, “You’re fired!”

This is not simply a semantics issue; this is a completely different philosophy, mindset and way of operating in the world in relationship to money.

Instead of asking… How can we increase our revenue? Ask, How can we create and deliver more value? Instead of asking, How can we expand our business? Ask, How can we expand our value? Rather than asking, How can I become wealthier? Ask instead, How can I become more valuable?

Therein lies the secret to money. Money is just a tool to exchange value. The only way to obtain tons of money is to create tons of value.

And tons of value is what we have in store for you in this issue of SUCCESS. While the cover price might read $5.95, the information and advice you will discover to further increase your value (thus, your wealth) is, well, priceless.

So spread the wealth—share SUCCESS with a friend!

P.S. The best way I know to be of value to you is… to help you achieve the goals, dreams and ambitions you always wanted, but maybe didn’t have the courage to believe was possible for you, or didn’t quite know how to go about accomplishing the goals. That is why I designed the Living Your Best Year Ever system. It will boost your courage and belief that achieving your goals is possible and will guide you all year long. It’s incredibly inexpensive, but priceless in what it can help you produce in your life.

What has been your experience with MONEY… and how have you developed a better relationship with it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

People who read this also read...

1. Let’s talk money. Money and time. The two topics most people avoid are the ones we’re tackling head-on...
2. BIG IDEAS – How to Make Big Money in Bad Times… and More! I have made several appearances on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch (this month’s SUCCESS...
3. I Love Lucy Lucy is my dog. I want to be more like Lucy. My wife’s friend Marilyn...
4. Set Your Relationship Goals with Richard and Linda Eyre Richard and Linda Eyre have focused on families as the key unit of society, marriage...

41968 Responseshttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.success.com%2Fhardy-our-love-hate-relationship-with-money%2FHardy%3A+Our+Love-Hate+Relationship+with+Money2011-01-06+14%3A30%3A56Darren+Hardyhttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.success.com%2F%3Fp%3D4196 to “Hardy: Our Love-Hate Relationship with Money”

1. synthetic oil says:

   November 12, 2012 at 11:14 pm

   We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with helpful information to work on. You have performed an impressive job and our whole group might be thankful to you.

   [Reply]

   Reply
2. Arenim says:

   February 10, 2012 at 5:28 pm

   Awesome site full of great posts and very well wtietrn content. Thanks for sharing and making this point clear.

   [Reply]

   Reply
3. angelafavs says:

   October 19, 2011 at 12:40 am

   Very well advised for the practical type of person, but most are not a successful in their life with love and relationship. We know money powers all but has negative effect in each of everyone personality.

   [Reply]

   Reply
4. Steve-Personal Succe says:

   January 26, 2011 at 10:39 am

   Darren, the relationship with money is an intriguing one. I am grateful for yourself and many other personal development teachers who have shown me the importance of adding value. I used to not grasp this entirely, but it all makes perfect sense now that I am a bit older. You also have to respect money enough to track and save it, versus squandering it or being lazy with it.

   [Reply]

   Reply
5. Dr Bill Toth says:

   January 12, 2011 at 4:56 am

   Great piece! Thank you Darren! The words we use can make us laugh or cry. They can offer hope or destroy ambition. They can wound, heal, and express noble intentions or deepest desires. They are thoughts made into sounds, our beliefs made tangible. The meaning we assign to the words we use to describe our experiences ultimately determines the richness of our existence. Words create a biochemical effect in our nervous systems and therefore literally become our experience of life. Use them carefully, wisely – especially when talking with your Self. Live With Intention, Dr Bill Toth, Author, Father, Speaker. MorningMoments/com

   [Reply]

   Reply
6. srini says:

   January 10, 2011 at 1:33 am

   Superb thought!

   [Reply]

   Reply
7. Nicholas Marts says:

   January 8, 2011 at 11:15 am

   It’s amazing how a few simple changes in wording can not only alter your thinking but can improve your mindset. If more people placed focus on value rather than time most company’s productivity would sky rocket!

   [Reply]

   Reply
8. Sharon says:

   January 6, 2011 at 10:20 am

   Where is the article about S-E-L-L and H-E-L-P? Thanks in advance!

   [Reply]

   Reply