When you find life has knocked you on your ass, then you must "pick yourself up," not from a standing position to a state of levitation, but from a sitting position--a stagnant, vulnerable position--to a ready, standing one.

Perhaps I never balked at the verb choice since I grew up where people say, "I'm gonna learn ya (teach you) somethin'," "Bring (take) this over there," and a whole slew of other grammatical ironies. Or maybe I overlooked the verb choice because I lived in a culture of resiliency and "sticky to-ity." Either way, we were always picking ourselves up off our rumps and going again.

Boots are the footwear of the worker, and usually the worker of dirty jobs--jobs that involve snow, manure, mud, scrap material, etc. Putting on appropriate attire, especially footwear, is the first step in recognizing and accepting the tasks ahead. This is metaphorically owning your attitude and must foremost be done. Your attitude is always in your control, and the control force for everything you do.

As Facing the Giants, one of my kids' favorite movies, says, "Your attitude is like the aroma of your heart; if your attitude stinks, then it means your heart is not right." No one can change your attitude. This part you must do for yourself, and everything hinges from it. Your actions, your environment, and the company you keep will certainly be reflections of your attitude and gratifications of your beliefs. Wouldn't you rather they were productive and empowering?!

Show yourself compassion, make an honest self-assessment, and improve what "little" things you can.

• Are you doing the little, daily things that correlate with success?
• Are you seeking guidance from your God?
• Are you nourishing your important relationships?
• Are you properly sleeping, eating, and exercising?
• Are you planning your time and budgeting your money affectively?
• Are you honoring your commitments?
• Are you regularly investing in self-growth?
• Do you have a support team around you to help you where you are weak?
• Are you living in congruence with your values?

That one is pretty straight forward. Work is God's gift and the vehicle of change. Work is the only way we learn, create, invent, sell, organize, produce, manage, or love anything and everything. If you answered "no" to any of the questions above, that is where your work begins.

I do recognize that, for those who see the bootstrap meaning as I do, if feels implied that this should be a solo event. To that I say, "Work and life are not intended to be a solitary experiences!" Humans have always created more products and ideas when we learn from, collaborate with, and connect with each other. Not to mention that those who regularly give and receive help are happier and live longer.

If you are trying to work alone at things you struggle with, then you will continue to struggle and possibly exacerbate the weakness. In their book Boundaries, Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend say, "Do-it-yourself people will often fall back into a cognitive (focusing on information or data) or will-power approach simply because it's not as [costly] or as risky. Though we can certainly understand their dilemma, they're heading toward another quick-fix dead end. Symptomatic relief--trying to solve a problem by dealing only with the symptoms--generally leads to more symptoms."

"What?!" you ask.

They are saying that in many situations, DIYing your fix in order to save face, money, time, etc., only makes the problem grow. This is the definition of dysfunctional. Do you recall the scene from Disney's Cars where Lightening McQueen is lost in the dark? He drives as fast as he can even after dragging a statue that is ripping up the road behind him. And then he pushes as hard as he can even after getting caught up in the power line that then shoots him backward with all the force he was resisting.

When dealing with financial struggles, efforts to treat symptoms with free health care or stimulus checks are not going to fix perpetual problems. Borrowing money from family to meet your debt payments won't solve your problem.

If you sit with your shoeless feet on the curb, soaking in impossibilities while hoping someone else will provide the solution to your challenge, then you will wait your whole life. Increased grit may not be your solution either; sometimes pushing harder only breaks more things. We need a pattern change and new perspective. Albert Einstein, a genius, stated, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." So what is the solution?

The most effective fix is to, first, own your attitude and your actions. Then go to work with a competent guide who can give you a new perspective and help you break the process down into achievable steps. Maybe your guide is a powerful book--I have definately read some life-changing ones--or a wise, experienced friend.

No one can pull on your work boots for you. But if you are ready, I can help you dust yourself off and go to work. Wisely.

I can help you change the way you approach your finances and, consequently, your life--forever. No more missed payments. No more money fights or avoidance. No more robbing tomorrow to pay for today. No more shame! You can experience an abundant life and you don't have to live on beans and rice to get there. The sooner you start, the greater the life you can make.

If this post resonates with you, share it with your friends!
If you would like to get started on your path to abundance, then schedule a consultation now.
If you would like to request a topic for me to cover via blog or Youtube video, send me a message.

I am on a mission to help you live abundantly through the mastery of your money. What can I help you accomplish today?