Time and time again we see many people touting and preaching how evil, greedy, life destroying, child eating, "insert negative adjective here", as if capitalism is an entity of it's own. It's much the same way people subconsciously view guns. As if they ate animate objects that can fly off the table and do their evil deeds as they see fit.
Sounds funny doesn't it? Can you imagine a little piece of paper growing legs and walking over to slap a stranger walking down the street? It's pretty silly, isn't it?
Well, that's exactly the same kind of nonsense that's going to hold a person back from success on their own. It happens every day. A person following their passion begins to ride up the path of success and away from poverty, until they sabotage their own success because they consciously or subconsciously believe that accumulating and earning a stable and comfortable financial state, somehow makes them evil and lacking in compassion. It's as if the simple act of accepting monetary compensation for their hard work, automatically makes them greedy and unfit to participate in normal human activities, as if having financial success means they'll suddenly not be able to be with their family and friends, or enjoy activities they used to love before they had more money.
This is a conversation you're going to have to have with yourself and those around you. The level of success you are able to achieve as an entrepreneur or small business owner, hangs within the balance of your own mind and soul. If you're unable to rid yourself of the wealth paradox, you will only ever be able to become as successful as you allow yourself to be.
You might have already noticed this about yourself. Have you seen the signs?
Whenever you find yourself in a success streak, you suddenly mess something up, get really sick, procrastinate or miss something and end up back at square one..
Whenever you end up financially secure, you're suddenly very unhappy, or even depressed...
The more you take on, the more you stress out, even though you know you can handle it all, you still find yourself backing away from you're responsibilities, convincing yourself you don't have what it takes...
Any of these scenarios sound familiar?
If they do, then it's time to step back and recognize that capitalism is not a noun.
It's not a person, place or thing. It doesn't act on its own, it doesn't host emotions or negative properties. It is simply a word that describes the exchange of goods or services for compensation. And that compensation doesn't even have to be money, though we tend to prefer that. It could be an exchange for other good or services, advice or even just a hug. That part is up to you and not as important now. What is important, is that you come to terms with your current knowledge about capitalism and cultivate an awareness of capitalism that allows you to recognize that you can use it in any way you wish. It is but a simple tool. One you can use to shower that world in love and gratitude, if you so desire to =)
