I saw this Stephen Covey quote the other day that really inspired me:
“GOD wants you to
turn your MESS into your MESSage,
your TEST into your TESTimony,
your TRIal into your TRIumph,
from being VICTim into a VICTor.
GOD is GOOD… all the time!
Be a blessing to others,
make your loss become someone’s gain.”
In exasperation, have you ever wondered, “Why did I have to go thru all of this crap? Is there a greater purpose to it?”
I had the same thoughts going through my head as well in 2008-2009.
From 2006-2007, I enjoyed great financial prosperity. I went from broke at the beginning of 2005 to millionaire in 2006. Of course, the markets helped me get there a little faster. Nevertheless, it was a great period of prosperity for my family and I, especially as my financial business was starting to boom.
However, that all started coming to a halt after the summer of 2007 when I realized that all of my cash reserves was trapped in my home, and I was in the hole by over $15,000 each month.
Over the remaining months, I depleted my savings, maxed out my credit, frantically tried to get my business production up, and eventually started to default on my loans.
It seemed whatever efforts I made to earn more money or reduce my expenses were never enough.
Have you ever felt that way before?
It got so bad that even my wife wondered if she should take the kids and move out until I got things figured out. I don’t cry much, but there were definitely times that I would sob uncontrollably. This period of time was even tougher than a divorce I went through years earlier because I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, it seemed to be at its worst in May 2009 when we lost our $740,000 home just one week before our 4th child was born.
However, I had faith in the principle that there are NO accidents – everything happens for a reason. The question was “What am I supposed to learn from this?”
I went from feeling like a victim to feeling like there was a higher purpose for my suffering. I didn’t know what it was, but I had a suspicion that if I could get through that period of time, it would be of benefit to someone else.
In September 2008, I was awakened suddenly at 4am and couldn’t fall back asleep (I don’t think it was my 2 month old baby at the time, but it’s possible). I decided to go out for a run. While running, I could hear the words of one of my neighbors who lamented, “I would save money, but I don’t have any extra.”
Knowing that he was in a much better financial position than I was, I created that little conversation in my head of what I wanted to say to him. (Am I the only one that has these little debates with people in my head?)
As I started coming up with answers of creative ways I had found money at that time, I knew I was being inspired and needed to capture those ideas. I immediately ran home, and typed for 30 minutes straight. When finished, I realized I had something special…but didn’t know what to do with it.
Over the next year or so, I, along with the help of my friend, Dale Clarke, developed our cash flow process to help other entrepreneurs, just like ourselves, stop leaking money and have greater peace of mind, freedom, and prosperity.
Many began working in their businesses with more passion and abundance without the constant stress of money. It’s been such a blessing!
Over the last 5 1/2 years, over 500 of our clients have freed up over $60 Million that they have used to pay off their debt faster, invest in their businesses, and enjoy a better lifestyle with their families!!!
It’s so rewarding to see others profiting from the “problems” of our past. Wouldn’t you agree?
As you probably already figured out, the point of the story is this:
Dollars follow the value we create for others. We are given challenges to overcome SO WE CAN SERVE OTHERS.
We can financially prosper by helping others solve those same problems more quickly and effectively than they would on their own.
That’s huge isn’t it?
I believe God has BLESSED us with these experiences so we can be a blessing in others’ lives.
We have more compassion.
We have more wisdom.
And we can provide the understanding and shortcuts to help people move thru these challenges faster.
As I love to say, “My pain can become others’ gain.”
So ask yourself this $1 Million Question (literally):
“What problem or challenge have I overcome, or skill have I developed, that I can use to solve problems for others and bless their lives?”