Three Keys to Prosperity Article by: Jim Rohrbach

“And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” — The Beatles

As we approach the holidays, many people have become jaded about “the spirit of the season,” as they experience the crass commercialism that pervades in our society. If you’ve experienced a touch of “bah humbug!” during this time of year, I’ve got a “prescription” of three practices that will help you bring back the joy to your world. Below are the three keys to prosperity:

Generosity
Being generous is not necessarily about money — it’s about giving. So what kind of “love” can you generate (same root as generous) each day that doesn’t involve any cash outlay? Some examples: a compliment to a co-worker on a job well done, a gentle caress to your loved ones, and perhaps most importantly, a compassionate listening ear to a friend. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. It is all about showing empathy for others’ pain. And, what does that cost you? Answer: NADA! But this kind of deposit into another’s “emotional bank account” will pay you big dividends.

Gratitude
As I write these words (forgive my lack of sophistication — I always start with pen and paper), the morning sun is shining down on me as I sip my cup of coffee … and I took a moment to say, “Thank you!” Now … does that sound corny or lame to you? This is a habit I’ve developed — of regularly saying thanks in my life for all the good that comes my way. Because, if you think about it, there are an infinite number of things that are going RIGHT in the world right now, if we just take a moment to acknowledge our blessings: every breath we take, the food we eat, the friends we have, etc. How hard is it for you to say, “Thank you … I appreciate that” once in a while? Answer: NOT HARD. So why not start today?

Forgiveness
Finally, who are you angry with? GET OVER IT, for your own sake, not theirs. Because holding a grudge only hurts you, not the person you’re upset with. I was formerly a world-class grudge holder, expending a lot of emotional energy thinking bad thoughts about others I thought needed to live up to my expectations. Once I learned this was blocking me from moving forward, I quickly let go of this “grudgeenergy” so I could be free to put that energy to better use. So who do you need to forgive today? Don’t wait — it costs too much.

Keep in mind that prosperity is not an event — it’s an ongoing process. And, it has little to do with the size of your bank account. If you proactively engage in these three practices I’m recommending here on a daily basis, and make them habits, you’ll not only get into the spirit of the season — you’ll become prosperous in all the seasons of your life.

Success Skills Coach Jim Rohrbach, “The Personal Fitness Trainer for Your Business,” coaches business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals on growing their clientele. He has helped hundreds of individuals to achieve their goals since he developed his first coaching program in 1982. To arrange a Free Consultation with Jim, go to www.SuccessSkills.com.

All articles by Jim Rohrbach