How Come I'm Not Rich? 10 Excuses

There are many definitions of wealth and success. And by many measures, I'm a very wealthy woman. But on a dollar-for-dollar basis, I'm not as wealthy as I could be.


"Why aren't you rich?" That's the question (from Day # 75) in Year To Success by Bo Bennett. Here are a few of his theories and common excuses:

*No. 1. We don't really want wealth.

*No. 2. We're clueless about building wealth. (Lack of knowledge).

*No. 3. Some of us secretly believe that wealth is evil. (Poverty is noble!)

• No. 4. Lack of time



• No. 5. Destiny: We're fated to be poor. (Family history or personal karma limit our bank account and lifestyle.)



• No. 6. Constant failure. We're trying. We're trying.



• No. 7. Fenced in by bills. Day-to-day concerns preempt long-term dreams of wealth.



• No. 8. Waiting, hoping "for the right opportunity."



• No. 9. Faith in a future inheritance, the lottery or some other sudden windfall of wealth.



• No. 10 Hoping to marry a rich partner.

Obviously, those are all poor excuses. To get past the excuse-making stage, Bennett recommends that we write down our personal alibis and examine our real reasons for staying in a financial pit. Next brainstorm for ways to solve our money problems. Here are a few possible solutions: Do we need to take a course on finance or improve our workplace skills? Do we need to visit a financial planner or start an emergency fund? Should we get a part-time job or start a side business? Those are a few questions and solutions to consider.

For example, my own list includes excuses: No. 4 lack of time; No. 7 day-to-day responsibilities; and No. 8 waiting for golden opportunities.

My insights: Disorganization and poor planning are the culprits. With better planning, I can meet the financial pressures of day-t0-day living and still have time to work on long-term projects that offer handsome payoffs.

My Action Plan includes:

1) Better organization.

2) Elimination of procrastination.

3) Setting aside daily blocks of time for long-term projects and personal development.

4) More exercise and relaxation. Workouts and meditation increase my mental focus and decision-making abilities.

Likewise, with better planning, I don't have to wait for golden opportunities or pray for large blocks of free time. With an organized plan and daily goals, I can balance long-term wealth building projects, with short-term actitivities that provide an immediate pay-back to cover bills.