LESSON

The Power to Say *No* to the Wrong Money

And get great things.

“If something is not a “hell, YEAH!”, then it’s a “no!”― James Altucher.

I felt illuminated when I got my first 10 bucks from my writing on Medium the first month.

I wonder why I hadn’t the same feeling when I used to make four hundred at night working in a restaurant business. The difference is pretty significant if you think about money and the fact that there are bills to pay.

But if you think about the feeling, there is no way of comparison between both. I was delighted with those ten bucks that I got from my articles. It was unforgettable. Comparable with the feeling when I was a kid, and my father used to give me a piece of chocolate for my good behavior.

“If money could buy us happiness then some of the richest people on earth would be more than one million times happier!”― Avijeet Das

If you’re sincere and conscious, I am sure you’re agreed with it. It’s a totally different feeling when you do something that you know can give some value to a one-person rather than work to get money to pay for your bills.

Most people are aware of it,, but no one is willing to pay the price and decide to change.They are happy to get a weekly paycheck. Some of them ask:

Why should I change if everything is ok?

The truth is that is difficult to step out of the comfort zone. It’s amazing there; you know everything, there is no uncertainty, everything seems under control. But you don’t realize that nothing grows there; you are stuck if you don’t decide to move on.

The thing is, if you decide to step out from there, you will realize that you can do incredible things. There is a price to pay, but for a fulfilling life is worthy.

Research in Harvard Business Review May, 2011 shows that people who make progress every day toward something they care about report being satisfied and fulfilled.

Sooner or later, you will realize that the wrong money leads you to mediocrity. And you won’t tolerate mediocrity.

If you want great things, be ready to say no to almost everything

“NO” is a complete sentence. It does not require an explanation to follow. You can truly answer someone’s request with a simple No.”― Sharon E. Rainey

There are certain times when everything is good in life; you are making good money. I used to feel it.

I live in NY; I was making good money and traveling to visit my country and my wife’s country Peru and Rusia once a year. Spending a considerable amount of money in each country.

And when I came back to NY, I got my routine back; I used to feel anxious and started to wonder, why?

Unconsciously, I was saying yes to the wrong things.

I was in mediocrity, just living with the money I was making. being comfortable with my nice life in a nice apartment and traveling twice a year, going to the restaurant to eat whatever I wanted and trying to be happy with it. But I didn't recognize that I was empty deep inside.

Keeping my life in the same way, I would never really make any meaningful progress towards what really matters.

I was unaware that merely good things prevent you from achieving a truly great life. I realize that the wrong money keeps you in mediocrity.

Most people don’t have the patience or poise to pass on merely good opportunities and wait for a truly great one.

The results to say No to almost everything

“Learn to say “no” to the good and the advantageous, in order to receive the best.”― Sunday Adelaja

When I started this year,, I promised myself to say no to all the things that would trigger my attention unless they are aligned with my goals in life.

I’m not able anymore to waste my time. I don’t regret of things I did in my past bad or good things; it is just part of the evolution as a person. I learned from them.

But now, I started to say no to things that I used to do before:

• I said to negative people who are not supporting my goals in life.
• I said no to watch a meaninfuless movie every night before sleep. Instead of make a plan for the next day ahead.
• I said no to be with my phone when I was supposed to spend time with my daughters.
• I said no sleep after 11 pm.
• I said no to waste my time anymore doing activities that don't bring me closer to my life goalslife goals.

Saying no to jobs to get money and mediocre life. Instead, focus on activities that will help to get my goals faster.

Do everything to get financial freedom, owning a personal business, and traveling the world while helping people become successful. Now, anything that doesn’t help me get there is the wrong kind of money.

The power to start living a fulfilling life

“Don’t be defined by someone else’s standards, have your own definition of success.” — Duke Matlock

I like to see idols and people who achieve success in life. I’m glad to learn from them.

But people I admire the most are not the richest, the prettiest, the famous, or the most intelligent. People that I admire the most are the ones who:

Whatever they say, think and the most important “whatever they do” is extremely aligned with their values.

That’s why in life, your choices are decisiveness. They deterninate your destiny. If you make mediocre choices, you’ll get mediocre results. Stop making excuses for your limiting behavior.

If you want to change your life, you need to stop sabotaging yourself by making poor choices that keep you in that lazy comfort zone.

Why most people will not change a Thing

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”― Leo Tolstoy

I always wonder people who read a post like this think and analyze or forget a second after.

The truth is most people don't take seriously these things. They just read and say ok another more article. They are unaware they can change their life.

Most people don't believe that everyone must have a purpose in life. They don't live, they just exist and that is depressing.

Look, I got it. I am still learning and struggling every day.

I am conscious that it is not easy. But the eagerness to get the life that I want beats the resilience I have every day.

So why will most people read this and not change a thing?

Because change is hard, most people see the price tag for success and back up sheepishly.

In Conclusion

It’s hard to change from ordinary to extraordinary. But there is nothing easy in life if it’s really valuable. The question is :

How much you really want to change your life, for a meaningful one?

Suppose you say yes and decide to do it. If you are commit and willing to pay the price sooner or later you will get it without hesitation.

Nurture the confidence to say no to the wrong money and accept the one which will get you closer to your goals. Sound excess to say that in these times, but it’s not.

The decision is in yours hands.

If you want more stories like this or different topics, let me know here!

Godofredo Rojas is a writer, chef, and constant learner from Peru. He studied in Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru. He moved to New York in March 2011. You can find him on Facebook and Twitter.