Archive for the ‘Books and CD’s’ Category

We touched on boundaries in Chapter Three. Having a strong sense of self and knowing what type of treatment you will or will not accept from others makes a difference in the personal power you give away to your crabs. Do you let people get away with saying negative things to you or about you? Do you stand up for yourself in the face of conflict?

By now you should be all too aware that it isn’t just what is holding you back, it’s who, and some can be your nearest and dearest. What you may also not be willing to see yet is that the biggest crab in your bucket may be you!

Family, Co-Workers, Employer I hate to say it, but family members can be big crabs. They want you to live the life they have envisioned for you. I can’t tell you how many people I counsel who are in their fifties and still trying to please parents who are in their eighties! Do you have to wait until your parents are dead to decide that you want a different life? No way! Don’t let other people’s fears put limits on your desires. It’s your choice whether you’re going to let them do that or not.

If you employer isn’t on the same page you are, that can also derail the fulfillment of your dreams. I recently gave a seminar at a wonderfully progressive advertising agency. I was amazed to find out how well this company had aligned its corporate goals with those of its employees by using a team approach. This company has an annual profit-sharing plan that’s paid in cash — which, by the way, very few companies do today. This is really smart. Why? What do most employees want? You got it, cash! The company also takes a more holistic approach to employee performance. Each month, management hosts a “Lunch and Learn” seminar to help employees deal with personal, career, family and financial issues. A successful company is one in which everyone has a stake from top to bottom, and bottom to the top. I believe companies that add value to their employees’ lives will also, in the long run be far more profitable than their counterparts.

You may think you’re all set for retirement, but there are nuances to planning for your future that should not be overlooked. For example, the boomers have done a good job building up their retirement plans and other assets, but now that they’re shifting to another phase of life, they need to plan for lower return assumptions and longer life expectancy. They face the risk of losing their purchasing power over time due to inflation and longevity. The fastest-growing portion of our population is 85 and older. These folks must make sure they’re accounting for lack of purchasing power due to inflation. Prices are going to go up. That’s just the way it is. Soon you’re going to hear someone say, “I used to buy a candy bar for a dollar and now it’s ten bucks!”