Several years ago, I was having coffee with a friend. She asked me how it was going with expanding my online presence. I hadn’t done it yet—not enough time, too busy with local clients, yadda, yadda, yadda. She said, “I know you really want to get online, and you said it’s important to you, but you haven’t done anything about it. What’s the real reason?”
I thought, “You BITCH, what do you know about my life?!?” and then I thought, “That bitch, she’s absolutely right.” I realized I wasn’t pissed at her, I was pissed at myself for slacking (and embarrassed that she noticed). I was pissed at myself for being reasonable…I didn’t have time because my life was full. But I really wanted this…so I needed to be a little UNreasonable (and yes, a little bitchy). Everything changed in that moment.
A Kick In The Ass
My friend was the kick I needed. She forced me to shift my persona–from mildly-interested-about-building-an-online-presence to I will not be denied. Once I saw myself as an online presence, I was able to prioritize it.
My friend challenged me. I knew in that moment I either needed to step up and GET IT DONE, or I needed to quietly retire that dream and move on.
So maybe your money story or entrepreneurial dream isn’t about gently processing; maybe it’s about realignment. Adopting a persona that inspires action. A persona that’s willing to be a little unreasonable to GET IT DONE.
Who Inspires You To Get It Done?
I’m never inspired by people who seem to have got it exactly right the first time, or who were blessed by functional, level-headed parents that taught them perfectly about money. Perfection bores me.
My role models are making it happen. Entrepreneurs. People who aren’t all-out famous yet, but aspire to greatness. They make no secret that they struggle. They are a little offbeat. A little rebellious. And they could totally handle themselves during the zombie apocalypse.
When it comes to forging their path, my role models don’t take the expected route. They rebel against the status quo. They believe that if the rules don’t fit, you rewrite the rules. For my role-model rebels, it’s easier to start a revolution than it is to conform to someone else’s idea of what they should be.
The rebel’s path doesn’t come without fear—and the rebel’s greatest fear is to be powerless or ineffectual around her money and life. But she knows she’ll do whatever it takes–disrupting the status quo, destroying what isn’t working, or shocking the system with new methods—to get her closer to her goals.
Are You A Money Rebel?
Money is a tool, and if you’re committed to bending it to your will and swinging it like a bad-ass ninja warrior, then you’re a
money rebel. Rebels inspire us to action.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of introspection…but right now, I see a need for a little less zen and a little more roller derby. You might need less thought and more DO in order to shake things up. If you’re processing money stuff, it doesn’t always have to be in stillness. Channel your inner Buffy and slay some money vampires.
Do you want to be a Money Rebel? Check to see if you resonate with these characteristics:
No excuses. Money rebels release all external circumstances as the reason they aren’t where they want to be. They know it’s up to them.
Don’t get hung up on mistakes. Money rebels figure out how to work through the shame, guilt and have forgiven themselves for screw-ups. Then they move on.
Acknowledge the darkness. With everything in life, there is duality. Just because you’ve conquered a dark period with money doesn’t mean now it’s all sunshine and unicorns. You just learn how to manage the darkness when it comes back.
Harness their anger. Anger is healthy, and sometimes even necessary for real change. Rather than feeling bad about their anger (and other inconvenient emotions), money rebels use it.
Fight for what they want. Money rebels might just be fighting themselves—their thoughts, insecurities and fears—but they never believe for a second that they will lose the fight.
Act before knowing. Money—and entrepreneurialism—is more like learning a sport than learning an academic subject. You have to jump in and try before you become an expert.
Know failure is temporary. In fighting for their dream, money rebels might get dirty, beaten down or completely knocked out. But then they get up again.
Are self reliant. Money rebels know that only YOU are the solution to your own problems, even if you haven’t figured out the “how” yet. Money rebels trust themselves.
Have a vision. Even during the rough times, money rebels know where they are going. Sometimes the vision is a 5 year plan and sometimes it’s only for the next 5 days. But they know clarity of direction is half the battle.
Maintain momentum. Forward motion is everything. Money rebels stay moving through all circumstance and environments.
Take measured risks. Money rebels know that their goals are going to require risk—maybe a risk of money, maybe a risk of time, maybe a risk of the status quo. But making a calculated risk is better than staying stuck.
Choose freedom over security. Money rebels know that security is an illusion. They are usually entrepreneurs that have built something that will sustain them long-term.
Protect their time. Money rebels know that the time they spend building their empire, expanding their freedom and vision are the most valuable hours of the day. And they protect those hours aggressively.
You see, being a money rebel isn’t reckless, although sometimes it can look that way. It’s about being absolutely in control of your financial life, on your own terms.
I’m going to be reaching out to some money rebels in the coming weeks and months, to tell their stories—and hopefully inspire others to lose the fear and move forward.
Who do you know who is a Money Rebel? Tell me below!
photo credit: markalston via photopin cc