You Have the Means to Flourish. Here’s the Mindset.

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We often think, “I have the mindset. Now, only if I had the means.” In this way, we interpret barriers not as expectable and beatable but as qualified excuses to give up or procrastinate. Because of a lack of resources, just 8 percent of people achieve their goals. What we often don’t realize is, we’ve had the means or resources all along but lacked the mindset.

Hindsight in Hindsight

You might’ve found yourself saying, “If I knew then what I know now…” What you’re essentially saying is, if I had the knowledge I have now at an earlier point, I would’ve made better, more impactful decisions. Seven continents can be filled with people basking in that exact sentiment. Dr. Ruth Gotian Ed.D., M. S. says, “A staggering 92 percent of people never achieve their goals.” That brings us to mindset. How do you become one of the 8 percent to achieve their goals?

If you’d come across a million dollars at the age of ten, would you have made the same decisions as the sixteen-year-old you? What about the thirty-year-old you? Depending on the time in your life, your short-term goals and mentality were different. You can’t imagine buying a new pair of shoes every other week now that you pay rent, but the younger you might’ve had a pristine collection.

Either way, at your age now, you are better equipped to manage large sums of money. You wouldn’t blow half your million on a luxury car and New York condo or clothes and shoes. You’d probably invest some, buy a modest house and a decent car, but your primary focus would be on turning that million into more money. You didn’t think this way back then.

Therefore, you become one of the 8 percent by developing a disciplined mindset which you have unconsciously been doing. Every time you chose to buy a printer or laptop over designer bags, you took a step closer to achieving the millionaire mindset. In your younger years, you didn’t have the disciplined mindset of a millionaire, but you’ve always had the tools.

A Different View

If you wanted to be an artist, you likely started out doodling on scratch paper and advanced to sketching faces within a few minutes. Still, drawing is only a hobby, until you structure a business around it. This could look like starting a website, an Etsy account or opening a brick and mortar. Each requires a different level of involvement and investment, but they all require effort.

An artist doesn’t need to open a gallery or break the bank to make sales. The procrastinator mindset is what suggests otherwise. Plenty of artists make a living by selling online, at art shows or through other channels. They didn’t let the lack of “startup” funds stop them from making their dream tangible. They used their cellphones and the various apps available to everyone to make it happen. That in mind, you have to ask yourself, what tools do I have, and how do I use them?

Major Tools

The most powerful tool you have is your cellphone. Other than the occasional selfie spree, you can use it to open e-commerce businesses, brokerage accounts to trade securities or hire AI agents to do some of your busy business work for you. The point is, use your phone to its maximum financial potential. It’s an exquisite tool, and so are some people, in a good way.

Although we don’t think of it this way, your network is a tool. It is a living, breathing ecosystem of people from all walks of your life. They say it comes down to who you know, and this holds more truth than we often admit. So, who do you know, and how can they help you? Put your network to work. And also use all the free tools you need and have access to.

Whether you’re making YouTube videos, recording podcasts or starting a traditional brick-and-mortar, there are free AI tools that can reduce your workload. Some are able to make videos you can use as promotional materials or content in your YouTube videos. Or you can use them to edit your a/v.

The point is, you have free tools available to you, and you should put them to use. If you need access to more tools or resources, Upskillist.com has created a list of fifteen excellent resources here. Use it to find tools that can help take you to the next level.

The Takeaway

You’ve always had the tools, but you developed the disciplined, millionaire mindset from life experience. You wouldn’t blow your hard-earned money on senseless items that don’t accumulate in value. You’d do more like invest or create a business. Start now with what you have. Couple those tools with your disciplined mindset, and do the good work you’ve always been capable of.

FOLLOW the author Jermaine Reed, MFA on X @Jermaine Reed, MFA for his controversial but real hot takes.