Broke-A$$ Brotha Tip #6: 'As a Man Thinketh, So Is He'

This blog likes to share tips with y'all about ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses ... we call them Broke-A$$ Brotha Tips. They are good for Sistas too!

Sometimes a Broke-A$$ Brotha needs to watch the conversation taking place alone or in the company of others.

'As a man thinketh, so is he.' ~ Proverbs 23:7

Few of us make the connection between that Bible verse and our financial well-being. What we think about money affects our financial well-being!  And our vocabulary is often filled with stinkin' thinkin' in terms of words, statements and opinions that detract from our financial well-being.

Here are some examples:

1. "I am broke." - Well, not really. Your resources are just not sufficient to meet your current needs or wants. Proper management of money represents opportunities to get your financial house in order.
2. "I can't afford that." - This statement is a mantra of hopelessness. Even if you are in debt or your finances are such that the amount of funds needed are not currently availalbe, choose to speak words of hope about your finances. If you properly plan and establish priorities in your finances, you can afford whatever you need. Gabby Douglas' mother proved this to the world when she financed the training necessary to train her daughter well enough to win double gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

3. "I'm a day late and a dollar short." - This statement implies either that you procrastinated or lacked planning ... and neither is good when talking about money. On the other hand, this statement is on-target if you choose not to plan, save and invest. Isn't it time for you to erase that statement from your vocabulary? If so, then simply make the choice to plan, to save, and to invest.
4. "Saving for a rainy day." - Take the negativity out of saving. Instead of saving for a rainy day, perhaps it is time for us to save for opportunities. Emergencies are merely challenges that test our financial and spiritual growth. Even when emergencies arise, start look forward to how you will grow as a result of the challenge.
5. "Saving for retirement." - Stop saving for retirement and begin saving for a redirection of life activities. People you know are retiring at 40, 45 and 50 years young ... and they usually start new careers or businesses. Start looking at retirement as a change in life activities -- an opportunity to pursue other goals.

'The poor man and the rich man do not play together' ~ African proverb