Category Archives: Mindset

It’s time to start reflecting on who you are, who you want to become and how that corresponds with what you value. The answers might not be as obvious as you think.

How Who You Are Is Reflected Through Your Values

“Of course I know who I am,” a lot of people will respond when asked if they know who they are. Then they’ll rattle off a list that includes their name, where they’re from, their occupation, their ethnicity; the list can go on and on. Yet, we are more than our title, heritage or role, right? So, maybe most of us aren’t answer that question right. Maybe you need to reflect more on who you are.

Most of us already have a pretty good idea about the sum experience of our lives:

• What we’ve been taught
• How we’ve come along so far
• How we generally tend to operate

Maybe a better question than “Who are you” is, “Who do you want to be?”

A post shared by Harv Eker (@thttps://www.harveker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/lesson-I-learned-from-my-dad-harv-eker-and-son-1.jpg) on Jan 6, 2017 at 8:19pm PST

You are always being who you are—whatever that is at the moment—but at the same time you’re also always becoming. It’s easy to say, “I am (fill in the blank),” and we can think this with complete conviction. However, just because someone says they are—for example—a good friend doesn’t necessarily make it so. But who wouldn’t want to become a better friend?

Current pressures and challenges can affect even those with greater awareness of themselves. Sometimes, how we respond to these challenges can surprise us, like showing great compassion and humanity to others in the face of unspeakable tragedy (think the outpouring of support for the Haiti tragedy), even though those same people might not otherwise appear on our radar at all.

Other times, we might be disappointed because we think of ourselves as open-minded, only to find out that we aren’t what we think we are all the time. Considering life’s uncertainties, there really is no way to be absolutely sure of how we will respond to what life gives us.

When it comes down to it, who you are really is:

• What you value the most
• How your value reflects in what you do
• Where your energy and resources are directed on a regular basis

I’m not talking about the value of material things like cars, houses, or the latest gadgets. I mean what you value as in honesty, self-respect, respect for others, kindness—qualities that have no price because their impact can’t be measured.

The Real Reason You May Not Be As Successful As You’d Like To Be https://t.co/nGfyoBD9It pic.twitter.com/zkgyEpbSRK

— T. Harv Eker (@T_Harv_Eker) January 11, 2017

So instead of thinking in terms of who you are, perhaps a more practical way of looking at the question is who do you want to become. We probably aren’t going to be exactly who we want to be in every moment of life. Anybody who’s experienced fear or anger can attest to that. Nobody wants to be fearful, but we’d all like to be courageous.

Who you want to be is really what makes you who you are now. When you’re striving for something, you’re acting—you’re doing. And what you do makes you more of who you will become later down the line. There is no distinction between the present and the future. It’s always happening now through your values and your actions, from building your sense of character to building a strong financial foundation.

Exercise: Who You Are and Who You Want To Become

Put yourself in the hot seat and ask the tough questions:

• What qualities do you really want to enact no matter what the situation, no matter what goal you’re trying to reach? Compassion? Bravery? Simplicity? Faith? Good humor?

Whatever these qualities you admire or cherish the most, these are the principles that make you who you are, if you hold to them consistently. Share the qualities you want to enact most in the comments.

In Being and Purpose Part 2, we’ll look at taking the next step in being by exploring the notion of purpose.

This article has been updated for relevancy and accuracy. Its original publish date was 01/21/10.

What is your purpose in life? The big questions can be difficult to think about and hard to answer, but they’re essential to discovering our purpose and being.

Addressing The Big Questions: What Is Your Purpose In Life?

In my last blog, we took a look at the idea of being. We also discussed how who you are reflects in what you value the most, and how that influences your actions. If you value courage, everything you do will reflect that, from being honest even though it may be hard, to taking steps toward your financial freedom.

So, now you know what your principles are. They’re those qualities that will inform everything you do, taking you from where you are to wherever you want to be. Now, what’s next?

A post shared by Harv Eker (@thttps://www.harveker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/lesson-I-learned-from-my-dad-harv-eker-and-son-1.jpg) on Dec 2, 2016 at 8:51am PST

There’s nobody—and I mean nobody, ever—who hasn’t asked themselves the BIG question: What am I doing here? What’s my purpose?

Some schools of thought say—I believe, correctly—that we’re born into this life with a purpose, a reason for being. But considering that just about everything in nature has a specific purpose for existing, and we are part of nature, it’s not a stretch to accept that every individual has a specific purpose, as well.

A lot of people believe in purpose, but most have a hard time figuring out what that is for them. No doubt there have been a rare few individuals who have received or recognized within themselves a kind of unmistakable calling. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa immediately come to mind.

But that’s usually not how it works for the rest of us. You can wait and wait for a sign that may or may not ever come. What would you rather do if you’re unsure of your purpose: let life pass by or choose your purpose yourself? The upside to these deeper questions is that we are the ones who get to decide how we are best suited to serve ourselves, others and life itself.

My definition of success is quite simple: living your purpose. https://t.co/YtHyOxedUM pic.twitter.com/nceR40ABOS

— T. Harv Eker (@T_Harv_Eker) December 1, 2016

However random it may seem, though, finding our individual purpose is actually easier than one might think. We each have unique abilities, inherent talents and strengths. Also, different subjects and activities interest us and make us happy. We all have varying experiences and issues from which we’ve learned, and every one of us has a different way in which we can use these traits to serve and also feel fulfillment. It’s through these factors that we can all choose a purpose.

But that doesn’t mean we’re locked into any one way of how to go about living our purpose. For example, if your purpose is to teach, you may literally teach in a school, or become a writer and speaker. The vehicle isn’t as important as recognizing yourself as a teacher no matter what you do.

Once you have purpose, you will have two essential elements for a truly happy life—money and meaning! You’ll do more of what you’re good at, attracting people who have a need or want for your particular talents. In this way, you will become ‘rich’ in every sense of the word.

Exercise: Discover Your Individual Purpose

1. List your unique abilities, talents, strengths, interests and passions.
2. Choose an overall purpose for your life. For some people, it may take hours to think it through; for others it may take days or longer.
3. Once you’ve honestly assessed yourself, clarify your purpose by writing it down.
4. Choose an initial vehicle with which you can serve people that is in alignment with your purpose.

Begin living your life with meaning today. Share with me in the comments. What is your purpose?

This article has been updated for relevancy and accuracy. It’s original publish date was 01/29/10.

Personal growth is only possible once you realize you are bigger than your problems. Learn how to tackle each obstacle one day at a time.

The Path To Personal Growth And Tackling Challenges

If you think having more money means you’ll have fewer problems, then think twice about wanting to be a millionaire. Problems and obstacles don’t stop, you just get a new set of them.

Wealth and poverty aren’t distinguishable when it comes to problems, or, as I like to think of them, challenges. There are times when challenges are considerate, significant, and maybe even scary, and there are other times when we’re really just making a mountain out of a molehill.

Whether it’s overcoming a mountain of debt or making tough investment choices, it could seem daunting to take on these decisions and commit to following through toward personal growth.

Really, though, we all need to thank our lucky stars for mountains that seem to be in our way. Why, because I’m a glutton for punishment? No, because personally it was the only way for me to find out for myself one of the most important ideas most millionaires share in common: you have to be bigger than any problem you can ever face.

In other words, you have to think big! That’s so easy to hear, and nod your head, and say, “Well, yeah, of course.” Understanding it, knowing it, and living it, though, are different.

The truth is few people “think” big and even fewer “play” big. Why? Because “big” often means big responsibilities, big hassles and big problems. They look at that “bigness” and shrink rather than considering the possibilities for personal growth. They’re smaller than their problems. They back away from challenges. Ironically, they back themselves into the biggest problem of all … being broke, or close to it.

The Secret To Personal Growth And Success: Grow Yourself Bigger Than Your Problems

Imagine a “Level 2” person looking at a “Level 5” problem. Does this problem appear to be big or small? From a Level 2 perspective, a Level 5 problem would seem HUGE. How would it look to, say, a “Level 8” person? The same problem would seem small. To a “Level 10” person? NO problem at all. It’s just an everyday occurrence, like brushing your teeth.

It’s not a special skill that separates rich from poor, but a simple yet profound understanding—if you’re breathing, you will always have situations that aren’t perfect. Therefore, the size of the problem is never the problem. It’s always the size of you and whether or not you want to commit to personal growth!

A post shared by Harv Eker (@thttps://www.harveker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/lesson-I-learned-from-my-dad-harv-eker-and-son-1.jpg) on May 1, 2017 at 12:46pm PDT

If you can handle bigger problems, you can handle:

• More customers
• Bigger business 
• Greater responsibilities
• More money
• Greater wealth

Your income can only grow to the extent that you commit to your own personal growth!

Exercise: Grow Yourself Bigger

1. Commit to growing yourself:
   • Do not avoid problems
   • Do not complain about problems
   • Don’t let them bother you.
   • Refer to them as “challenges” or “situations”
2. Let go of the emotion and drama you create when you don’t get what you want.
3. Learn to stay present and handle one situation at a time with an open mind and an open heart.
4. Trust yourself and in the universe that everything will work out in the end.

I want to hear from you, so make sure you leave a comment and tell me your thoughts on personal growth so you can handle bigger problems.

This article has been updated for relevancy and accuracy. It’s original publish date was 02/06/10.