What Does Your Dream Really Look Like?

One of the wealth mindset principles that many a self-help guru holds in high esteem is this:

Get super clear about your dreams and goals. 

It seems simple, but not everyone has the kind of clarity the gurus speak of. If you want your goals to become a reality, allow yourself to dream a fully formed vision of what you deem "success."

Note: Your version of success is most likely not what the mainstream deems success. Mainstream success involves 50-plus hours a week toiling away in corporate America, two fancy cars and an expensive mortgage. This does not have to be your version of success.

If you aren't crystal clear about your dreams and goals, try this:

1. Allow yourself to dream, without judgement. Dream about things you've never allowed yourself to, because you were being too practical, people told you it was a bad idea or you simply didn't think you were capable of accomplishing it.
2. Even if you don't know how you will accomplish it, continue to shape your dream. This part of the process is supposed to be fun. Do not allow negative possibilities. There is room for that, but not just yet.
3. After your dream is fully formed, find the holes. Where are you likely to run into road blocks? If your dream is bigger than your problem -- and it should be if it's a true calling -- then you will find solutions to every obstacle ... eventually.
4. You can't think of all possible scenarios. Don't let not having everything figured out stop you from moving forward with your dream. You will figure it out along the way. You were not born knowing how to feed yourself. Neither were any of the great men and women who have risen to acclaimed heights.

Notes on 'Super Rich,' by Russell Simmons

I'll admit the title of Russell Simmons' "Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All" enticed me to crack the cover. Yet I learned in the introduction, it's not about gaining material riches. Instead, this book is about being rich in spirit. Sounds pretty cheesy at first, but Simmons explains that being rich in spirit leads to material wealth.

In this book, Simmons extols the benefits of yoga, veganism and Transcendental meditation (TM), the latter of which he gives an introductory course.

Key wealth mindset points I took from this book are as follows:

• No matter what your job, do it with joyful, eager and service-centered mindset. How well you do your current job often determines your success later in life. 
• Wealth does not bring happiness. Those hold too tightly to the trappings of their riches are often seduced by excesses, be it drugs, alcohol, women or flamboyant spending. The result is not happiness, but disillusionment and emptiness. 
• Take time to clear your mind through meditation, prayer, yoga, jogging, creating art or simply becoming engrossed in your work. Simmons writes that of all of these practices, meditation has had a most profound effect on him and his business life. Clearing the mind brings us closer to our higher self. In other words, it brings us closer to god. This is where our inspired ideas come from. It's a wellspring of brilliance that we cannot tap on our own with mind chatter. 
• Don't chase money. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. You must do what you love for the sheer enjoyment of it -- not for the outcome. 
• Give your talents to the world for free. When people sense you want nothing more than to serve the world through your remarkable offerings, they will be moths to your flame. Give your products, services, talents and art without expecting compensation.