{"id":2871,"date":"2012-03-29T12:01:57","date_gmt":"2012-03-29T16:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/?p=2871"},"modified":"2012-03-06T14:38:09","modified_gmt":"2012-03-06T19:38:09","slug":"closing-your-income-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2012\/03\/closing-your-income-gap.html","title":{"rendered":"Closing Your Income Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> Are you\u2019re disgusted from reading about how 1% of people have most of the money? It can be depressing or worse to know how such a small segment has so much, while you might be hurting financially. But Trevor Bolin<\/strong><\/a> is a real estate businessman and author of the book, Take Charge and Change Your Life Today<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 says you can change that if you take charge of your life. I\u2019m delighted to have him as my guest today. Here\u2019s what he has to say:<\/p>\n

Start Closing the Income Inequality Gap Yourself<\/strong>
\nby Trevor Bolin<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0The memes for the current economic recession have been \u201cincome inequality\u201d and \u201cthe 99 percent versus the 1 percent\u201d as the 106 million Americans earning $45,000 or less each year feel the most pain from job loss, foreclosure, underwater mortgages and inflation.<\/p>\n

Some say the solution is for the government to redistribute the wealth, perhaps by taxing the top money-makers at a higher rate. I say that there\u2019s a better way and it\u2019s one that will make more people happier \u2013 and wealthier. I went from the bottom 10 percent at age 17 to the top 2 percent at 28 by making some changes in my life.<\/p>\n

The system is very simple, but not all of the steps are easy. It requires self-discipline and changing bad habits, but it\u2019s all possible if you follow the steps. And I promise, following through on just one will dramatically affect your life.<\/p>\n

Some of the steps include:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Commit<\/strong>. Vow right now that you will follow through 100 percent on every step you take toward changing your life, whether it\u2019s making more money, losing weight or becoming a better parent. Commit to succeeding, not just surviving. Know that luck has nothing to do with it \u2013 it\u2019s hard work, attitude and giving back. Committing 100 percent means that, if you decide to read a book on investing, you won\u2019t quit after three chapters. If your goal is to drop 20 pounds, don\u2019t stop after 10.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Change your attitude.<\/strong> Just as negative thoughts have the power to negatively affect outcomes, so do positive thoughts. Start each day with positive thoughts, and change negative thoughts to positive ones throughout the day. This may be hard at first, but the more you work at it, the easier it gets. Rather than wake up cursing the rainy day, be grateful for it. Water is one of our most valuable natural resources, and rain is cleansing. Remind yourself each morning of all the good things in your life \u2013 your health, your home, your spouse. Tell yourself that your meeting today is going to be engaging and productive, or your job interview is going to go well.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Figure out your \u201cY.\u201d<\/strong> Your Y is your reason for everything. It\u2019s shaped by the past, formatted for the present and goal-formatted for the future. It\u2019s reflected in every decision you make. If you don\u2019t know your Y, your decisions will be made on the basis of habit, what you learned growing up, and what your immediate needs are. But if you\u2019ve decided your Y is that you want the peace and security of financial success, you\u2019ll be guided by that every time you make a choice.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Set goals.\u00a0<\/strong> On a piece of paper write down all of your goals, short-term and long-term. Next, number them 1, 3, 5, 10 or 20 based on how many years it should take to achieve them. Losing 20 pounds? That might be a 1. Buying a new car? That could be a 3. Now, take your top five 1 goals and write down why you want them and how you plan to achieve them. Do the same thing for each set of goals. Having goals is vital and keeping them in front of you will help keep you on track toward achieving them. Most important \u2013 be sure to cross each one off as you achieve it. Take it from me, there\u2019s no better feeling.<\/p>\n

Paying yourself first \u2013 saving a portion of every check \u2013 and giving back to society, whether through service or philanthropy, are also key to the roadmap for changing your life. It\u2019s all about having a plan. You can create success as long as you\u2019re putting a plan into motion.<\/p>\n

Check out Trevor Bolin<\/strong><\/a>‘s a book, Take Charge and Change Your Life Today<\/a><\/strong>.
\n***************<\/p>\n

Take the 31 Days of Self-Love Challenge<\/strong><\/a> and get my book, How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways<\/a><\/strong> for free at http:\/\/howdoiloveme.com<\/a><\/strong>. And you can post your loving acts HERE<\/a><\/strong> to reinforce your intention to love yourself. Read my 31 Days of Self-Love Posts HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Please leave comments under my posts so we can stay connected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Daylle's books have been translated into over 10 languages and are popular around the world. She speaks for colleges, organizations and corporations. Through her company, Project Self-Empowerment, Daylle creates programs and materials to help people empower themselves. One goal is to raise the money to self-publish her book, How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways and give it away for free in colleges and through organizations, to give thanks for all her blessings. 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