QUOTE: "Until one is released, step by step or all at once, from the roots of fear-based thinking, no amount of Mo-ney will give prosperity. This is fact..." - Anonymous

Even though I'm totally unplugged from what's going on in the world, by choice, stuff is still trickling in. You see, I've made a conscious choice for years not to listen to the news, read the papers or listen to talk radio. It's not just that I'm a very sensitive person and I react to negative stuff more deeply than others seem to, it's that I don't like what it does to my mindset. Somehow, I seem to focus on the bad news and then it affects everything else in my life. Some people have told me in the past years that my "unplugging" is foolish, that I'm missing out on what's going on in the world, or that I'm na?ve, thinking that if I don't hear it, it doesn't exist.

Well, in a way, that's true for me. If I don't know about it, then it can't affect me. And so, while the rest of the world seems to be spiraling in a big mess of fear, worry and doubt, I'm oblivious to it, in a good way. Because my mind isn't tainted with this "stuff", I'm continuing to prosper, we continue to grow, and more abundance is flowing into my life in every area. And I wish more people would do what I do. Here's why.

You have to understand that the news media is only interested in one thing, and one thing only: Advertising do11ars (I know, I used to work in advertising.) The more people are tuned in to their show or read their publication, the higher they can charge their advertisers. And to artificially grow the numbers, the media has to do ANYTHING it can to get your attention. And FEAR is the best way to get someone's attention, and to get them to keep coming back for more, for "fear" of missing something important.

When you understand this, you get clear that there's a lot of hype out there, and it's all plugging in to what I call the "collective fear". And when you're in fear, you cannot be prosperous, no matter how much money you have. Why? Because prosperity is a state of mind. Let me say that again: When you're in fear, you cannot be prosperous. Here's something I read recently in a channeled text:

"Until one is released, step by step or all at once, from the roots of fear-based thinking, no amount of Money will give prosperity. This is fact..."

Listen, I get that fear is a biggie. It's easy to get sucked in. I know a few people right now who are gripped with fear. They're holding on so tight to their mo-ney, that they're "white-knuckling" it through life. They are absolutely miserable. And you know what? They actually have plenty of mo-ney in the bank! But because they have fear, it doesn't matter. Because prosperity is a state of mind.

For the past several years, I have made a point to set aside some time for myself during the holidays in order to reflect on the past year, and determine my goals for the coming year.  I make a bullet point document, and break everything down into several categories:

• ME - What are my goals for personal development? What will I do to better my health and become more self-aware?  Typically this is New Year resolution type stuff... go to the gym 2x a week, become better at admitting fault, break a bad habit...etc..etc..
• FRIENDS - With whom do I surround myself? I generally list out all of my close friends, describe our current relationship, and what I will do to bring better harmony.  The important key is to ensure there are mutual benefits.. if there are not, why am I in this relationship.  What type of new friendships will I make?
  
• LOVE - Where does my love life stand?  Am I in a relationship that I feel has potential?  How will I better the relationship, or make sure intentions are clear?  Am I ready for a relationship?
• BUSINESS / MONEY - What am I doing? What are my goals?  How much will I make this year and how am I going to do it?
  
• GIVING - What do I contribute to society? What will I do to contribute more?
  
• PASSION - What am I most passionate about?  How will I nurture that passion?  How do I let it guide my life?
  

I have found this to be a wonderful exercise for focusing both personal and entrepreneurial goals.  You should complete an "Annual Outlook" for yourself using at least the above categories, and prepare one for your business using similar categories (Overall Goals, Clients, Employees, Revenues, Community Contribution,  Mission and Purpose).