giving a voice to how I feel…
I’m taking an ever-so-brief pause in the BIG BRAVE BLOG HULLABALOO to say something I need to say. Sometimes, you just know– that thought you’re thinking, even if it seems a little iffy, needs a voice. I guess that’s brave in and of itself.
You have to speak up, even if it rubs someone the wrong way. Even if no one at all gets you, or folks think you’re naïve or ignorant.
It’s a risk I’m willing to take as I move forward, leaning into a boldness that has sprouted in me the last couple of years from I don’t know what - perhaps extreme physical exertion due to triathlon training and deep writing and splashes of paint, and on many many levels, letting go of who I was. Regardless, it’s time to let her rip.
I’ve been a bit curious lately by a trend in the land of self-development and internet marketing. Okay, curious is putting it mildly. Shaken, bamboozled, irked is a bit more like it if I’m going to be truly honest.
It’s this ever so popular idea that if you’re not willing (or able) to pay for something, then you’re automatically lacking in desire, worthiness, commitment, readiness, self-honor.
I can just feel the tension rise as I write that sentence… both in my own body, and in the room around me… because so many people have subscribed to this way of thinking, and many are wildly successful… and yes, while their stories aren’t shared as often, there are also those who are suffering due to a profound loss of dignity and an enormous amount of debt.
But other people’s experiences are really none of my beeswax.
What IS my business is what gets stirred up in me, and how it affects the women who I am so grateful to serve.
Deep breath. Here goes.
You are VALUABLE. BEAUTIFUL. PRECIOUS. Right now. As is.
Your “energetic vibration” does not equal the balance in your checking account.
It does not mean that you don’t value yourself if you’re not willing to charge a whopping $20,000 dollars to your credit card to be in the platinum program.
You are platinum already in my book.
Yes, I long to witness your growth, your evolution, your standing in your own sovereignty…
And yes, I do believe it’s important to invest in yourself.
But if you are unable to invest financially, that is NOT not a reflection of your flaws and a screwed up mindset. Invest time. Invest love. Invest spirit and willingness and spunk and gratitude.
Show up.
To me, that’s what “wealth consciousness” is… not this distorted notion of making seven digits in the next six months, or signing up for some special deal RIGHT NOW before poof, it’s gone. Not being made to feel less than because you can’t afford to join “the club.” Not being manipulated into making choices out of fear.
It’s about being conscious of the WEALTH within you– recognizing, admitting to, and honoring your own immeasurable worth in the world.
And yes, it means playing with old thought patterns that keep you in a rut. It means creating a living that comfortably supports you and your family and allows you to give from your heart without depleting yourself. It means sometimes putting money towards radical self-care rather than things you don’t necessarily need. It means saying no when you mean no and saying yes when you mean yes. It means living by your own rules, moving at your own pace, and fully inhabiting your life…
I believe in who I am and what I have, even though clearly I am a work in progress (we all are).
I believe in what I aim to give to my circles, to my readers, to my family and friends, to strangers I pass by on the street.
I believe I am growing and flourishing and expanding, despite admittedly still sorting out my own money issues.
I believe in serendipity and magic and blessings unexpectedly popping up like a field of dandelions.
I believe in possibility beyond measure.
I believe in YOU.
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18 Comments »
This is smart. We can’t be bullied into buying a course or a product. And if someone has to resort to bullying, how great is their product?
I LOVE this, thank you.
As usual, you speak the thing I need to hear at the right time…
“You have to speak up, even if it rubs someone the wrong way. Even if no one at all gets you, or folks think you’re naïve or ignorant.”
I’ve never understood that whole “well, if you were dedicated…you’d ” This is relevant to so many areas of life besides money.
Besides that is not dedication – that’s following someone else’s path for your life, if you don’t explore it, question it first. If it can’t take the questions, the oppositions, the wondering than maybe it isn’t the right thing for you.
Way to go always speaking up no matter what – you are always an inspiration!
YES YES YES!!!
Well said, and I totally agree wiht your thoughts. For me it’s easy to F OFF!!!! if someone tres to intimidate me into purchasing something, but many are not as bold. So everyone stay strong in your truth,Peace,
Well said. I do think when folks trot out that “how much is this worth to you?” and “if you’re not willing to invest a measly $xxx in your business, how can you expect the world to take you seriously?” crap that there’s a valid point underneath it. Namely, that sometimes – maybe even frequently – small biz owners and creative workers and freelancers and such resist investing in themselves, because of a scarcity mindset. That much is true, I think, and pointing it out is valid. I think it’s also valid for folks with something to sell to address potential sources of resistance and pushback in their sales materials.
But if what the readers and prospects are coming away with is a different message entirely – the message that if you *don’t* invest, you’re somehow lacking and “less than” – well, that’s just wrong, and the responsibility for it has to lie partly in the person who’s doing the message-bringing. But it also has to lie partly in the reader – the responsibility to be grown-up enough and secure and confident enough *not* to default to the “I’m worthless” (or “I’m worth less”) mindset.
Now, if the sales copy actually *states* that? Actually says “you’re not a serious ______ if you don’t spend this money”? That just sucks, and the person who wrote it, and the person who publishes it, are just sucky people. Also mean. Sucky and mean.
Bravo! I believe in you Lisa. <3
You go, girl! Thank you for bringing these thoughts to light. Love!
Wealth. True wealth. You ooze wealth, my dear!
Write on, my dear!
Wild cheers, jumping up and down, happy dance all over the place. Well and timely said! Bravo (thowing glitter and roses!)
p.s. I see where to sign up for the monthly newsletter, but is there a place to sign up for the blog too? thank you.
Hey Tammy… you can subscribe using Network Blogs (the link is further down on the page on the right…). Come to think of it though, I don’t have a subscription option on here that’s a clear and simple RSS feed or email option! Thanks for pointing that out~~ something to look into!
Lisa,
I noticed this at my first big marketing event awhile back. Lots of pressure to signup for $20,000 – 100,000 programs. If you didn’t you were somehow not willing to make the investment in yourself. Yet, there were no concrete stats on it being helpful. In other programs, folks come into the audience to ask you why you are not signing up. Or, not signing up is a sign of resistance.
There are a lot of folks with huge CC debt who took those programs and didn’t quite get anywhere with them. Of course, that’s they’re fault too.
Integrity gets tossed around like a football … It goes hand and hand with the way we’re raised to want to make a million dollars – even if we persuade folks to sign up for things they don’t need to sign up for. We’re not raised to be real people, a big part of the problem.
Enjoyed this! G.
Lisa, you nailed it! I’ve been outraged and disgusted by these marketing ploys–did all the would-be Internet entrepreneurs attend the same marketeers’ course recently?–and have unsubscribed from numerous “newsletters.” Hustling and hard closing are hardly new sales tactics, but I’m appalled to see them used by people who purport to offer guidance in personal and even spiritual growth. How could any ethical, grounded coach or teacher even pretend to help someone become more confident, self-loving, etc., by using a sales pitch that undermines her sense of self-worth, taunting or scaring her into paying for something she can’t afford? Those are the tactics of a demagogue, and deserve the classic response: “Retro me, Satanus!”
Quite simply, this is an absolutely beautiful affirmation, thank you
Lisa, I can’t tell you how much reading this means to me. It’s so hard not to be one of the “cool kids” who get to be part of the platinum programs and the most expensive courses. Thank you for saying that it’s okay to say no, if you know it is something you really cannot afford. There are other ways to invest in yourself, and showing up for the opportunities you can take advantage of is the most important thing.
Much love and many blessings, Lisa!