5 Deadly Mental Landmines That Can Destroy Your Financial Future And How To Escape Them!
You will hate me for pointing out all of it straight into your face but this is what separates you and your wildest dreams.
So, let’s begin.
Are you feeling sick and tired of being stuck in the never-ending cycle of poverty?
Do you desperately need to make your wildest dreams a reality?
Oh man, I feel you.
Well, what if I told you that your mind might be messing with you, and preventing you from getting the prosperous and fulfilling future you deserve?
It’s a thing called self-sabotage, and it’s more common than you might think.
As a PhD(c) in Astrophysics and a Data Engineer, I can tell that your subconsciousness is like the backend of your mind, constantly working in the background to process and control your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.
But here’s the silver lining: there’s a way to break free from those negative patterns and start living your best life.
So, let’s take the dive together and uncover the five sneaky lies you’ve been telling yourself, shall we?
Comfort
Firstly, are you under the impression that comfort is the ultimate goal in life?
Beep-boop. False!
In reality, growth requires stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking risks.
They say, “No pain, no gain!”
Well, they are right.
It’s just like what you may have read in the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” — most people only talk and dream about getting rich, but you’ve taken the initiative to make it happen.
That’s exactly what I’m talking about!
Step out of that comfort zone, because the path to wealth and happiness is waiting for you.
Who knows, maybe the next person you strike up a conversation with could lead to a new opportunity, or that raise you’re hesitant to ask for could end up being the best decision you make in a year.
The point is, don’t be afraid to take risks and go after what you want.
Just. Do. It!
Scarcity mindset
Oh, the dreaded scarcity mindset!
Have you ever found yourself thinking that there’s just not enough to go around?
I know I have.
And I’m here to tell you a better way to live.
It can be tempting to hold back and avoid investing in things like education, convinced that you can’t afford it.
But the truth is, that a scarcity mindset only leads to missed opportunities and anxiety.
That’s why I highly recommend reading ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, which emphasizes the importance of shifting your mindset from scarcity to abundance.
By investing in yourself and your education, you’ll open up a world of possibilities and set yourself up for success!
So don’t be afraid to take risks and break out of that scarcity mindset — the world is waiting for you.
For starters, you could begin practicing gratitude, which involves consciously focusing on the positive things in your life and being thankful for them.
So, take out that journal and start writing 5–10 points about what you’re grateful for. Every single day, ideally.
I don’t know your personal situation but I do know that there are a lot of things to be grateful for.
Once again, coming back to the point of conscious effort and mindfulness.
Instant gratification
Oh, this is a sweet one.
Are you someone who always reaches for the quick fix, rather than putting in the hard work for long-term success?
I get it — it’s tough to put in the time and effort when you’re not seeing results right away.
But here’s the thing: true success requires determination, consistency, and patience over time.
In the book ‘Outliers’, Malcolm Gladwell puts it very straight that it takes 10,000 hours of (dedicated) practice to really master a skill.
Btw, ‘Outliers’ is another book I highly suggest reading!
So don’t be discouraged if you don’t see instant results — keep putting in the work and you’ll get there!
Recently, I saw the interview of Giannis Antetokounmpo, a professional basketball player, where he adequately said,
‘You work towards a goal — it’s not a failure. It’s steps to success.’
Steps to success. That’s how life works.
Responsibility
Ding-dong!
It’s time to play the blame game.
Like what? Like I said the blame game.
Do you find yourself pointing fingers at others for your situation, instead of taking responsibility for your own choices?
We’ve all been there, but here’s the truth:
that victim mentality in the long run will only hold you back and prevent personal growth.
As the book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ puts it, it’s important to be proactive and take responsibility for your own actions.
Next time you catch yourself blaming others for your situation, remember that you have the power to take control and make positive changes in your life.
But also remember that nothing is black and white.
Take, for example, Mr. Putin’s invasion of my home country, Ukraine. This is a painful moment for me. Would I blame him for that?
Definitely. I would. Also, I would add everyone who is supporting this sh*t.
But before.
Now, I know better. I do better. So, not sure.
Since I decided to move forward and do things that I can do. Because it is my responsibility and no one else’s.
For now, I hope that things will work out for Ukraine and that Mr. P. will visit The Hague soon.
In any case, you do you.
Learning
Last, but certainly not least, are you someone who has given up on learning and growing, resigned to living a life of mediocrity?
Let me be clear — that’s never okay!
Continually seeking knowledge and personal and professional growth is crucial for success.
As the book ‘Secrets of Millionaire Mind’ emphasizes, you should never stop learning and striving to improve yourself:
The fastest way to get rich and stay rich is to work on developing you.
So keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and never stop learning new things, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
Hit that book, a podcast, or an (online) course on the topic you feel you’re missing and slowly feel up the gaps in knowledge.
Coming back to the above-mentioned instant gratification, the outcomes might not be fast but they will come, for sure.
Likely, even faster than you think. Although, likely, not immediately.
Summary
To recap, nobody can change their life in one day.
But one can change the mindset that will set up one’s success for a great life.
Remember to
- take responsibility for your choices,
- adopt an abundance mindset,
- invest for long-term success,
- step out of your comfort zone,
- and commit to continuous learning and growth.
These are the main points I want you to take with you.
It may not always be easy, but with determination and perseverance, you can accomplish great things.
So go out there and show the world what you’re made of — you got this!
I believe in you.
If you are interested in using AI to enhance productivity, save time and energy, and potentially earn some money, check out this list:
Contact
I recently started a YouTube channel where I talk about different topics, including data science and AI news, research, and life in general among others. It is a steep learning curve for me but I invite you to check it out here.
Never miss a story, join my mailing list!