Every time we celebrate a harvest holiday, I’m reminded that the concept of “abundance” has been getting a bad rap. Too many well-meaning advisors have encouraged us to spend money we don’t have.
As a certified scrooge, I’m a great believer in the value of saving money and having the luxury to say “No thanks” to jobs. That’s what I call “career abundance.” You don’t need any great mystical concepts or spiritual orientations.
However, when you feel abundant, you make better decisions. You operate from strength. You make fewer “dumb” mistakes (the kind that are often described as shooting yourself in the foot). You feel happier, so you have less stress and you stay healthier.
Most important, you retain perspective. You don’t go into panic mode with every ripple in the rumor mill. You know you’ll be fine no matter what happens.
Here are three of my favorite scrooge-y ways to cultivate career abundance:
1. Vote for your values every time to make a purchase.
Patronize stores and products that support your values.
For example, I like to support stores that offer healthy food and services that show up on time. I go out of my way (often literally) to avoid rudeness and arbitrary policies. I buy from companies that want my business.
2. Choose value over cost.
Buying cheap often ends up costing more, in everything from coats to coaching. I have to admit I like outdoor stores like Eddie Bauer because their products last forever. I’m trying not to think how long I’ve owned my parka, which originally forced a stretch of my scrooge consciousness – probably as long as I’ve been owned by my senior cat.
And I’ve learned to bite the bullet and buy services that really deliver value. After wasting money for resources that didn’t deliver Internet marketing, I compiled my own list. Click here for my rave reviews.
3. Speak out (carefully).
Reforming your own workplace rarely happens unless (a) you were brought in as a change agent or (b) you own the company. But you can change the world by writing to consumer agencies and complaint departments.
Letters to your elected officials (if your country’s culture and laws allow) can be a great source of abundance. And I recommend reporting questionable practices to your state’s Attorney General. Be reasonable: as a business person myself I wouldn’t want to harm someone who just made an innocent mistake.
But often we have more power than we think…and that’s a good reason to feel abundant all year around.
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