Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Houston Business Attorney Helps You to Deal With Media-Driven Money Hysteria

By: Kim Hegwood, Houston Business Attorney

With all of the news about spiraling federal debt, it is natural that Americans are taking a hard look at their own situation, and it sometimes leads to worry--even for those who are relatively secure.
 
Interestingly, my clients who have MORE cash in the bank often worry more! Funny, right? But it is normal human nature....
 
You see, under all guidelines and measures, my finances are very solid. I have got a thriving Houston estate and business planning  firm which is more secure than most people's jobs. I work with numbers and am very good at taming balance sheets.
 
Yet, I still sometimes worry about money.
 
After a lengthy time of thinking, discussion and some more thoughts into the matter, below are a  few techniques I have settled on which can help us ALL reduce our worries over money.
 
1. Realize that It Is Exaggerated - Worry is a funny feeling - it seems to exaggerate any problem. While there are certainly many people who actually run out of money, those are usually not the people that tend to worry.
 
 2. Spend the Same Time Making Money Instead - If you are going to spend time worrying about money, why not use that time and get a side job instead? Maybe start a website (or two, or three). I know it is easier said than done, but the more you work at it, the easier it gets.
 
3. Confidence - Part of the reason why we worry about money is because of the lack of confidence in our own abilities to earn an income. How can we boost our confidence you ask? Confidence comes from success, and success starts from taking action. So try a few low-risk entrepreneurial ventures. If they bomb, see it as a laboratory: learn from it and try again.

But never (never) allow it to touch your identity as a person.
 
4. The workplace plays a big role in worry. Are your colleagues encouraging? Is your boss supportive? If not, then do something about it. Don't get into the thinking of "I can't find another job". Yes you can -- especially if you HAVE a job right now. If you got this job, you can get another one!
 
5. Worrying is Actually Good - A little, measured worrying is actually healthy for us. It is what drives us to be better. It is what turns our energy switch to the "On" position. The right way to deal with it is to channel it into your work ethic, and your desire to be better.
 
How Do You Deal with It?
 
Of course, what I listed above is just the tip of the iceberg. How do you deal with worrying about the lack of money? Or do you? What has worked for you? I would be interested to hear.