What makes you look and feel wealthy? My mentor Gill used to start her wealth creation seminars by asking people why they believed that she was qualified to teach them about becoming wealthy.

The answers were always really interesting.

'Because I have heard you are a millionaire'

'Because you live in a big house'

'Because you spend time looking after yourself - always at the gym, pool, masseuse etc'

'Because you don't have to work?'

'Because you are immaculately groomed'

'Because you used to be an Accountant'

'Because you say so'

All of these answers are subjective and none prove that Gill was qualified to talk about wealth. In fact she used to say that being an Accountant had been a distinct disadvantage! But everyone had paid to be there, so something about Gill had made them trust her skills and her knowledge.

They believed that she could teach IT (whatever IT was) to them.

What does wealth mean for me, personally?
When I looked at this question, I realised that it was the fingernails for me. Anyone who could spend that much time (or money if you are paying a manicurist!) doing their nails, had to be wealthy. And I figured that if Gill had made it herself, then she could show me how.

So what else makes me feel wealthy? My vision of wealth involves me living in an old house, beautifully decorated in light warm colours, surrounded by dark wood antiques listening to classical music. It is clean and very, very tidy. My hair is nice, my nails are immaculate, my clothes are ironed. I work because I love it but I don't have to go anywhere particularly unless I travel business class and stay in nice hotels. I can pick the kids up from school but I don't have to do the housework. There is always enough of everything - I never run out of food, toiletries, makeup. I have bubbles in my bath every time. I don't rush.

It's interesting how many elements in there have nothing to do with actually being wealthy. And interestingly, I was almost punishing myself for not being more successful, by being too frugal with stuff like bubble bath.

So here's how I fake it, till I make it.
I listen to classical music in the car. I buy two of everything until I always have a reserve of one in the cupboard. I have re-arranged my day so that I don't have appointments after 3pm and make sure I have time to get everywhere without rushing (instead of making like the Tardis in Dr Who). I insist on things being tidy around me and loved moving into the hotel so that my wonderful cleaner looks after my surroundings. I say 'no' to speaking engagements unless I travel by car and stay overnight so that I don't end up driving, miserable and alone, for hours on end. And do you know something? It worked. I feel wealthier already.

So how could you fake it till you make it?
Imagine yourself, ten years on, and you have made it. What specifically are you enjoying about being wealthy? What little treats do you enjoy that you didn't before? How could you NOW, at little extra cost, make yourself feel wealthy and worth it?

 

© Nicola Caincross of The Money Gym 2008. No content to be reproduced without written approval of the author.

Nicola is a Wealth Coach, Author, Publisher and Speaker, and the Director of The Money Gym.

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