Money Games

When it comes to money, people get serious very quickly. "Put your money where your mouth is" implies that if you're serious about something, "pony up" the money and follow through.

I often watch business owners get excited about a business idea, goal or fantasy vacation and then immediately give up the thought when they think about the cost to implement. Dreams shattered merely by thinking a thought about money!

With all the seriousness and weight we put on the topic of money, it's amazing how this attitude doesn't make us any smarter about the way we spend and make money in our professional and personal life.

I've observed very intelligent people leaving money on the table by under- or over-pricing their products and services based on their emotions and thoughts born from a lack perspective about money.

So how do you balance your values, strategy and emotions so that you can profit and build your wealth? By turning it into a game!

Even if you don't like board games, card games, video games or charades, there is always an abundance of games to choose from that are fun and increase your wealth.

When I was flat broke -- and, yes, I didn't have the pot to do that in, either -- I decided to play a game to annihilate my debt. Nothing else had worked and I was ready to change my attitude. I made a spreadsheet of my debt and monthly expenses.

Next, I focused on paying more than the minimum on each bill. There were some other rules I made to keep the structure exciting, based on my personality.

The game worked. I stuck with it because it felt empowering and fun! Yes, fun! And nine months later I was debt free. The game produced real world results while transforming my emotional relationship with debt.

I also created games for myself to increase my savings accounts. Again, I designed the game to win, knowing what works with my values and behavior style. I used advice from a long time friend and financial advisor to know how much and where to invest my money. I satisfied my emotional and mental well-being. And I pumped up my savings at the fastest rate I'd ever experienced because the game held my focus.

Games that improve your wealth setpoint cause you to be committed in a way that inspires, rather than putting constraining structures around you that begin to feel like punishment.

One game does not fit all. Your game must be designed to fully support your desired end results, values, behavior style and be able to keep your money gremlins afar.

Here's how you start.

1. Paint the picture of what it looks like when you win. 2. Choose a start and end date to the game.

2. Choose a start and end date to the game.

3. Create rules that inspire you to stick with it.

4. Choose an accountability partner if that will give you strength (or better yet, someone who wants to play with you!).

5. Structure the game in a way that you'll be able to see every tiny bit of progress.

6. Be willing to stick with the game for the sake of something grander in your life.

Here are some topics that impact your wealth that you could use to create a game to see an increase in income, joy and freedom.

1. Pay off debt.

2. Increase monthly or yearly profits.

3. Increase profits for a specific product or service.

4. Work less, while maintaining your profits or even increasing them.

5. Increase your number of ideal clients and customers.

6. Raise your prices (I used a game to successfully more than double my coaching fees in one month!).
7. Increase productivity with your team.

Remember, if the game isn't fun, you need to create new rules or a new game. Make sure your desired outcome is juicy and inspired or no game will yield results.

In this kind of game there are no losers. This is a journey of personal transformation where you make steady progress and win by making shifts in your inner and outer game.