| Michael Angier is the founder and CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer) of
SuccessNet based in
South Burlington, Vermont USA. He’s a father, husband, writer, speaker,
entrepreneur, coach and student. He's also the creator of The World Class
Business™ Conference. |
I've
probably learned as much from my kids as I've taught them--maybe
more. I learned this particular lesson from my oldest son, Mike.
The year was 1994. Mike was in the
Marine Corp and home on a short leave. I was in the throws of buying
my first "real" computer. I'd been using personal
computers for over ten years, but I'd never gone online. We hadn't
bought a new computer since Windows debuted and we were still using
DOS.
Not being entirely sure how I was
going to put this new computer to good use, I was having a hard time
justifying the purchase. It felt like a big decision and at the time
it seemed like a big expense for our family. Nevertheless I still
had a feeling that it was the right thing to do.
We were shopping at an electronics
store, and I was showing Mike some of the different machines I was
considering. I explained the different features and tradeoffs that
were part of my decision.
I shared that I was about to buy one
that was close to what I wanted. It didn't have all the features of
the one I truly desired, but it was cheaper and I was going to save
a couple hundred bucks--it might have been even less than that.
Mike looked at me in kind of a
quizzical way and said, "Dad, get what you WANT!"
His perspective was refreshing. I was
agonizing over a fairly paltry amount of money--especially over the
two to four years I expected to own the computer.  My son, in his
wisdom, helped me give myself the permission to not settle for
something less.
When we settle, we're telling
ourselves we're not worth it. We're affirming a belief in lack
instead of abundance. We're saying we don't believe in ourselves
enough to have what we really want.
I bought the more expensive computer
and was happy I did. Given that I view my life from BEFORE being
online and AFTER being online, it was a profitable decision, too.
I firmly believe that the Universe
takes care of us about as well as we take care of ourselves. There's
something about feeling worthy that opens doors we never would have
even seen before.
For me, I know for a fact that as a
result of taking better care of myself, I've had a lot more to
give--and have given more--than I used to.
Certainly we can take this
"self-indulgence" to extremes, and I'm definitely not
advocating giving in to our every whim and fancy. Even now, I tend
to be a fairly conservative shopper and I rarely buy frivolous
things. When I trade up, I still buy computers about six months
behind the technology curve and save a fair amount doing so.
But I do treat myself a lot better
than I did before. I don't need a lot of "things" in my
life, but the things I do have, I want to be able to appreciate and
enjoy. I want to love having them.
That event and my son's statement
have stayed with me over the years. I often recall it when I'm not
being particularly kind or generous to myself. It was a good lesson.
--End--
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