Four years ago I was thrown off the high speed non-stop train to Moneyville.
Yeah, me….nice, polite, always follow the rules me.
I couldn’t believe it.
My life was pretty sweet back then. I had and did anything I wanted when I wanted and was virtually debt-free except for my mortgage and then – YANK!
I suddenly found my income cut in half year four years in a row.
Huh? What’s that about, I thought. I’m a top producer – what’s happening to me?
In the span of 4 years I went from being on top to treading water.
I just sold my home two weeks ago, and have downsized to a temporary location while I decide my next steps.
While I’m not alone, as this is happening to people throughout the country as well as those in the real estate industry, I’m still very upset about my new way of life, and angry – at myself that is.
The reason I’m angry is that it didn’t have to be this way.
No, I’m not saying that anything could have been different with the real estate bubble bursting – what I’m saying though is that for me things could have shook out differently.
You see I had a plan – a good plan, but the problem was – I didn’t follow it.
I’d planned to buy my home and remodel it and then sell it for a healthy profit within 3 to 5 years tops. Most remodels these days are eligible for a tax deduction anyway, and what could be better than free taxes and a newly renovated home? I’d done this before and enjoyed the process, but I made one deadly mistake along the way that put me on the down escalator – I became attached to my house.
After renovating, I was ready to put the house on the market.
Little did I know then, but July ’06 was about when the market peaked. At the same time many people I knew were telling me, “Why don’t you just stay in your home and enjoy it after doing all that work?” And, as the market grew quieter and quieter the people in my industry were saying: Just wait a bit – the market will come back; so I did. And the rest as they say is history.
The market didn’t come back, and I continued to lose value in my home, and my income continued to plummet.
All the while inside I kept hearing this voice say: Sell now – which I ignored.
Many of us continue to make the same mistakes over and over again? Why?
We refuse to listen to our intuition which is plugged into the Universe for a reason – our own good!
In my case, I’m an expert in intuition – which makes it that much more embarrassing to admit. I give accurate readings for others, but when it comes to myself I find that at times I ignore my intuition. Why is that? I guess ’cause somewhere along the line I was taught to give more credence to the opinions of others over my own intuitive voice (read my post: Do You Teach What You Need to Learn?)
This mistake has cost me a lot between the savings I spent and value I lost in my home waiting, so I had better learn this now because I can’t afford to repeat this mistake again.
Here’s how you can avoid the same pitfalls that pulled me down and rebuild your life:
1. Always listen to that little voice you hear inside. Always, always, always. Don’t listen to advice from others unless it resonates in your own gut. To jump-start your intuition read this post: INtuition: How to Recognize It.
2. Analyze your failure and learn from your mistakes. What signals did you miss that could have changed the outcome? In my case, I jumped into the mortgage biz 13 years ago in the middle of graduate school and ended up seduced by the money. Never, ever, ever follow the money – always follow your passion first and the money will follow! I can’t stress this one enough.
3. Take credit for what you did right. The last thing you want to do is tear your fragile ego to shreds right now. I was smart enough to have stashed away some nice savings that carried me through the last four years, so I didn’t have to panic. I also sold my house for more than I paid for it and managed to recoup some of what I’d put into it.
4. Breathe a sigh of relief that the worst is over. Once you’ve hit your “personal bottom” hopefully you can’t go anywhere but up from there. All is not lost as long as your still breathing and can think your way out of a paper bag. Sometimes the freedom that comes with hitting bottom is just the silver lining you need to start over. Know that you’re now free to reinvent yourself and your life.
5. Start dreaming – and let your dreams run wild. What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at? If you have to start over you might as well do something you’ll love and enjoy for a long time. If you’re not sure what your passion is read my new book, “The Intuition Principle: How to Attract the Life You Dream Of.”
6. Write a business plan for your life after you identify your passion. How will you get there in the next 6 months, year, 5 years? Under each heading write down the actions you need to take to accomplish your goal. Write this down on three index cards and review them each night before you fall asleep. Writing down your goals will increase the likelihood of your achieving it.
7. Get back in the saddle – pronto. The last thing you want to do is cower in fear of failing again. So what – big deal you failed. Who hasn’t? Plenty of successful people have failed – and then gone on to their greatest achievements. Read this post: If You’ve Never Failed – You Haven’t Tried Hard Enough to Succeed!
8. Make sure you create multiple streams of income next time. That was my biggest mistake. I had no other income to rely upon. While I had some income from freelance writing and readings I gave it wasn’t enough to sustain me. I won’t make this mistake again. For more great info on this topic visit Pat Flynn’s website: Smart Passive Income
9. Do not become attached to your investments/business, etc. Learn to separate your emotions from business decisions. It’s a lot easier to hear the right answer from within if you’re not “attached.” You’ll also be able to make a course-correction more quickly by taking the emotions out of it and thereby “lose” less time and money in the long run.
10. Find a way to work for yourself. This is huge. No one can take your job away if you find something that people need and offer it to them. It’s a risk, but one worth taking especially when you’re already down. You haven’t got anywhere to go but up – so that’s the best time to think about self-employment. For a great read on all the reasons to be self-employed read Kate Maren’s article from Escaping The 9 to 5.
11. Count your blessings! I’m talking about the “kiss the ground and say thanks for everything dear God” kind of gratitude! When you’re grateful for what you do have, no matter how little it appears to be – something miraculous happens within you. Your perception changes and you begin to see more things to be grateful for and as you do – the world opens up to you. When the world opens up miraculous opportunities arise.
So, be truly grateful for whatever you have left after being thrown from the money train and know that you can and will rebuild your life – and this time it will be better than ever because you’ve learned some valuable lessons the along the way.
Are you rebuilding your life from scratch? What happened? Where are you in the process and what steps did you take to get there?
If you’d like to learn more about intuition check out my books on Amazon (The Intuition Primer is a great book for beginners and it’s free to Amazon Prime members). At Barnes & Noble both online or at one of their stores.
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Comments
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Angela,
Thanks for republishing this as I was not in the blogging world at the time, but I WAS going through the exact same thing and still am. I find it “interesting” how many intuitives had a massive life change experience (finances usually, health sometimes) that cause us to completely re-evaluate everything and really dive into intuitive work full time.
I just had a call for work today that is about 1/3 of what I was making before, and it’s the first call in many months, coming up on a 2 year anniversary without “day job” work. It also crossed my mind that maybe we can’t sell the house because we’ll be staying in it (logic seems to have nothing to do with it).
Just as I was thinking about the job, a whole shower of events happened (including seeing this and something else you wrote about following your passion and the money will follow) that supported me continuing in the OTHER direction, with my plans, at A Clear Sign. So…there you go. “Everything happens for a reason and with God everything is possible.” Just never give up.
Hi Julie,
Wow, that’s fascinating! So we were going through the same thing at about the same time?
Geez, perhaps you’re right about not being able to sell the house because you need to stay.
There it makes sense to me.
Being without work for two years is probably the biggest sign that you’re supposed to “reinvent” yourself using your gifts and talents.
Keep on doing what you’re doing. Let go and go with the flow and you’ll get where you’re supposed to go.
In the last four years I’ve hit rock bottom in my marriage, my career and my finances. Like you, I was quite embarrassed by where I allowed my financial picture to fall given that I’m a finance executive and CPA. Like you, I do very well working with other people’s money but I have issues with my own.
Hitting rock bottom in all these areas showed me that I can live through my previously imagined worst case scenarios. My life turned around each time when I let go of the strangle-hold of control that I was pretending to have on people and situations. When I “gave up” and let go, the Universe swooped in and turned things around for me. I’ve since learned to be more open and go with the flow, following my intuition and being forever grateful for all the wonderful things that continue to show up in my life.
I feel your pain, Angela. I, too, have learned many lessons so that I won’t repeat the same experiences. Life is awesome now!!
Paige,
What a wonderful picture you paint of how marvelously the Universe works things out when we let go!
It’s like you have to take a leap of faith to find out that the Universe will always catch you.
Until you let go of trying to control everything – you won’t leap.
I’m so glad you “leaped” though!
Hi Angela,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. It certainly is very courageous of you to admit about not listening to your own intuition.
Your post cannot come at a better time. I am in the midst of doing some financial planning for myself and family too. I have been thinking that I need to remind myself more on what I do have rather than what I do not have and to practice more gratitude. So your tips are definitely great ones to follow!
I would like to think that you will be supported by the Universe somehow when you do the work that love and when you do work that supports the growth of others. I wish you much love and abundance.
Hugs,
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
I learned a big, big lesson from this! As I’ve said before this was one of those big “faux pas” that made me decide to start Powered by Intuition and decide to always always follow my intuition.
Thank you Evelyn for your friendship and support.
It has been awhile since, I last came on here. But Fascinating post Angela! Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom, take a few hits, to find out what really matters again. I think as we move forward in awareness as a planet, humanity will continue to go back to what matters again and allow their inner guidance to lead them!
Hi Baker,
How are you – well I hope?
I’m glad you found the post fascinating. It’s definitely easier to read than to live through – that I can tell you!
Luckily, I didn’t hit rock bottom – but I did get too close for my own comfort! Since I have a background in financial planning – luckily I knew it was time to get out before things got too bad.
Yes, it’s true though – all these material things don’t matter as much as being happy and enjoying your life. Listening to intuition is vital!
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting. It’s such a pleasure seeing you again Baker.
Hi Angela,
Wow! I’m so sorry for your loss, but bravo to you for offering these great take-away lessons from the ordeal.
As for me, after an exhausting cross-country move, a complicated pregnancy and sudden job loss, I experienced severe financial problems that culminated in the short-sale of our home a year and a half ago. Although initially I felt a lot of anger and disappointment, I can honestly say now that it was one of the best things that could have happened to us. Had the bottom not fallen out, I don’t know that I would have ever realized I wanted out of “debt prison” and to walk the path I’m on now, which is living much more simply and focusing on things that I consider a lot more important than the material stuff. It seems that the best lessons I’ve learned in my life have come from the biggest challenges I’ve faced, so I’m truly grateful for the mis-steps.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and reinforcing the importance of listening to that little voice that ALWAYS guides us to our greater good.
Tisha,
It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Powered by Intuition and to meet you today.
I’m so glad you found my post helpful and validating. I thank you for sharing your story here with us.
I so agree – had this not happened to me I wouldn’t have realized how I too was in a “debt prison.”
Now that I’m out I’m looking to live more simply and align with my passion. You can’t follow your bliss if you have an enormous mortgage payment every month – unless you’re lucky enough to be bankrolled by someone!
Thanks so for commenting and for emphasizing the importance of listening to your intuition!
Hi Angela,
I loved this article. However, I must say that I am not on the money train, I am still on the platform trying to catch it–or better said, I am running towards it. LOL. Your tips are timely for me. Listening to your intuition, not becoming emotionally invested in your business and working for yourself were the most helpful. I have been blogging for 8 months now, and would like to make a living online. Thanks for sharing this in such detail.
Hi Lisa,
I’m so glad you found the article helpful. Better that the train hasn’t pulled into the station than left though! lol!
I hope this helps you move toward your goal of making a living online Lisa. If there’s any way I can ever be of help to you please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
O wow, I have experienced all of these at one time or another, I wish I could have these experiences all the time, it would mean I was experiencing perfect harmony:) This is my first visit to your blog, I am really enjoying reading your posts, I am grateful for your insights thank you!
Hi Angie,
It’s a pleasure “meeting” you!
Ah – I think you meant to comment on my most recent post: Why We’re Hard Wired to Receive Information Intuitively?
I’m glad you read that one and – the one you’re commenting on.
Yes, if we were always tuned in – we would be experiencing perfect harmony….if only, right? We can dream though!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the posts and my site.
I look forward to speaking with you again.
Wow! How did you know that I needed to read this today!
Thanks so much for sharing your insight into some of the struggles we are all facing these days!
Michael
Hi Michael,
I’m so glad you found the post useful and helpful.
Please let me know if I can ever be of help to you in any way Michael.
We are all trying to find our way in this very different economy – that’s for sure!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting here.
Many of us made same mistakes for sure, it is just a matter of getting up again and making a new goal. Try to start a new plan. Find ways where you can at least start earning money. Decent amount will do at first then as time goes by, it will surely increase. Tightening the budget can also be a great help. Actually, its the most effective way for me to make all my dreams possible.
Hi Aaron,
Welcome to my blog.
Yes, from what I’ve been hearing many people have made the same mistakes.
And, you’re so right it is a matter of getting over it, making a new goal and moving on.
Tightening the budget – for sure! That has been a life saving strategy for me.
Thanks so much for stopping in and adding to the conversation here. It’s a pleasure “meeting” you.
This post definitely made me smile Ang, not because of what you went through but because you are being honest about it. It’s a rare treat for bloggers to be honest and show that not everything is a bed of roses for them, we all face challenges too and it also was very similar in nature in terms of challenges I’ve faced too. There is a sunrise after the sunset.
Thanks for sharing your amazing honest journey with us!
Amit x
Hi Amit,
Thanks so much. It was hard to reveal so much about my situation, but it wouldn’t have helped anyone if I left out the details.
I’ve been close to a nervous break down lately – seriously. I was doing so many things at once I thought I was going to collapse!
You never know how much time blogging takes until you’re knee deep in blog posts.
I knew when I read your latest post you would relate to my article.
There definitely is a sunrise after the sunset and I’m feeling better already.
It’s my pleasure to share with you Amit – and I hope things get better and better for you too!
Angela,
Sometimes, the tough things in life brings the best out of us and I can see that in you. Not only you are able to survive but you are providing an inspiration for many.
Having money saved up also helps. We are there too, so know how it feels. Take care, I know you will come out winner.
Hi Preeti,
I agree – and thank you for you vote of confidence Preeti! I’m so honored that you’d say that I’m providing inspiration.
That makes it all worthwhile.
Oh yes, having money saved up – saved me this last year. Having my income going down didn’t really pose a huge problem until this year. I’m a background in financial planning so at least I followed my financial plan and saved money!
I hope things get better for you too Preeti, but I know that you are doing your best as well. You are already a winner in my eyes!
Grreat advice. I can certainly use some inspiration about now. Like you I teach but don’t practice. Time to get back on track. Thanks!
Hi Rosemarie,
Yes, time to get back on track for sure. Things have got to get better!
An amazing and very personal post, Angela, I am so sorry you had such a rough ride. I knew you recently sold your home but no idea it came with so much story behind it. These lessons are different from many others and very good reference. I love the one about follow your intuition, naturally – and I have never regretted following it even if I can’t explain it to anyone including myself. I wish you the best and hope things turn around for you in 2011!! Here for support as you know.
Hi Farnoosh,
Thanks so much for your support. I only revealed so much of my story as I knew it would help others. I was quite hesitant about it though as it is so personal and I’m a private person when it comes to financial matters.
Yes, intuition was the key here. I’ve finally learned that it is always right and to listen to it and trust it regardless of what other people say!
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Hi Angela,
Thank you for writing this, The topic of your post is so close to my heart and one I really admire you for sharing this. Yes we are rebuilding from scratch and you might just see me sharing my story too.
The so called safe property option seems to often backfire and as you say we all need to have a plan- then work that plan- something I have avoided for a while.
No 10 being grateful and being aware of the abundance in my life has been crucial to me moving forward.
thank you
love
Suzie
Hi Suzie,
You’re rebuilding too? I feel for you and wish you all the best my friend.
Yeah, had I worked the plan I created from the moment I bought the house things would have been quite different.
Being grateful and aware of all the abundance in our lives is soo important – and does as you say move us forward.
Thanks so much for adding to the conversation here Suzie.
Great lessons and tips! Listening to our inner voice is key. We must be true to our intuition. The wonderful thing about your experience is that you now have another opportunity to embrace the lessons provided and not have to live through them again. Love and wisdom to you.
Hi Mark,
I’m glad you found the lesson and tips helpful.
You just said a mouthful Mark: we must be true to our intuition – yes indeed!
I agree – now I can live the rest of my life and having learned these lessons say with conviction, “Been there and NOT doing that again!”
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting Mark.
Angela, I’m sorry you had to go through all that turmoil…I’ve lost money in the past, first to my ex-husband, then to a wrong investment, and I know how it feels. And yes, we should always listen to our intuition, but somehow sometimes we all forget.
My husband and I are working on the multiple incomes stream – totally agree on that too!
Thanks for sharing your story, it’s very inspiring. I’m sure your future will be much brighter 🙂
Hi Cristina,
Thank you so much. Losing money is definitely not an experience I’d recommend to anyone.
Yes, from now on – I will not ignore mine – I did hear it loud and clear, but chose to listen to other people’s opinions instead.
I’m so glad to hear that you and your husband are working on multiple streams of income – that’s awesome!
I’m glad you felt inspired. Yes, I do believe my future will be much brighter too. Thanks again Cristina.
Wow Angela! This is a superlative article. I love your honesty and wisdom. We have to be able to look objectively at our past mis-takes to make a successful re-take. There is nothing to add to this wonderful article… but just know we live in a world of polarity. How would we experience the vision: ‘SOARING HIGH’ if you did not have a glimpse of ‘TUMBLING LOW’?
Thanks Rob! What a wonderful idea – yes, how would we know the difference if things were always good? We need the contrast to internalize the difference. Thanks for that imagery. I do believe that now I’m going to be on the way up again!
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting.
What I love about this post Angela is it helps people know that they are not alone – not just them who has gone through or going through it. At the start of this year I lost five figures and most of my spare money on a big self-help project that I knew inside has become bigger and not like what I originally intended. I never listened to my inner self because I never trusted myself and got persuaded to plough more and more money into it.
Why do we only learn when it’s too late? Now I love blogging but it’s been a costly set up and my funds have virtually gone but, this time, my instinct is to keep on as things are changing fast now. I hope I am truly listening and your post has challenged me to double check that. I appreciate your intuitive honesty – we are all too human somewhere after all. I wish you all the luck in the world.
Hi John,
Thanks so much for your heartfelt understanding and encouragement.
I’m so sorry you had to lose so much financially as well.
But, I appreciate your sharing what’s happened to you with the self-help project.
We all make mistakes and it’s good to know we’re not alone in that.
I’m glad to know that my post has initiated your double checking on whether your truly listening.
Thanks so much for the good wishes – I wish the same for you too!
Hey Angela,
I know what you mean about not listening to your intuition. Been there, done that. Still…here’s the thing, as I see it. You didn’t listen for a reason. You had reasons, and that’s OK. Maybe…just maybe…your intuition was telling you to hold off for some reason. Maybe Stevie didn’t want to move. You never know. Sure, things could have been different but they weren’t. It is what it is. Rejoice! You have this day 🙂
Hi Leah,
I never thought of that….perhaps Stevie didn’t want to move? Hmm.
It’s true – it is what it is. I’m really okay with all of it – I honestly feel that what I’ve learned is far greater than what I’ve lost and will serve me better in the future anyway.
Yes, my optimistic Sag sister – I have this day! Thank you!!!
Good thing I have that Sag optimism! If I didn’t, well I’d probably be in a straightjacket by now lol. Oh and if you want to move south, I have a pretty big house that needs a roommate. I promise, first month’s rent and I fix all the plumbing 😀 Second month, the roof…haha (well at least a patch 🙂
Hey Leah,
Yes, me too – re: the straight jacket! lol –
Thanks so much for the offer. I love it down by you. Philli’s a great little city.
You never know what the Universe has in store for us – so, I’ll keep your lovely offer in my back pocket!
Angela,
What a candid and heartfelt post! I resonate with your pains because my husband and I were also in the remodeling business and “missed the boat.” But, I can also feel your strength and energy from what you have learned through this experience. The points about multiple streams of income, working for yourself and counting your blessings ring so true! I’d like to also add, be flexible and open to opportunities, because one thing that has helped me psychologically has been “hope”.
Wishing you much success and happiness!
Hi Jenny,
Oh, I’m so sorry to here that Jenny. Yes, timing is everything in life, that’s for sure.
I love that – be flexible and open to opportunities – excellent point. Thank you.
I do think that being free of the house will allow me to concentrate more on blogging which is what I really want to do – so it’s all working out!
Thanks so much for the good wishes Jenny! I really and truly appreciate it.
Hi Angela,
Thank you for sharing such a candid and personal story with us so that we can learn from it. I truly appreciate it. Like you I also chose a career in finance although it was clearly not for me.
1. I fully agree with you that we should always listen to our intuition. I love to divine regularly with the I-Ching because I might miss things out if I relied solely on my intuition alone. After I have worked through my problems from all angles I have a better understanding of the situation and I know clearly what I should or shouldn’t do given the times and circumstances. This always makes it easier for me to do what I have to do whether I like it or not.
2. Our mistakes are lessons that we have to learn in life. They help us to grow and prevent future disasters from happening. If we can learn from these lessons early, we will have a huge store of wisdom to draw upon in life.
8. Having multiple streams of income is always prudent. It helps you to diversify and makes you less vulnerable if something should happen to one stream.
Thank you for this great post! 🙂
Irving aka the Vizier
Hi Han,
Thanks so much for sharing these pearls of wisdom with us.
I used to use the I Ching years ago – hmm, maybe I need to look into that again.
Yes, we certainly do need to learn some lessons the “hard way” so that we will have a store of wisdom to draw from in the future.
Multiple streams of income – so important. I’m not going to get “caught” again with out that.
Thanks so much for adding to the conversation here.
Angela,
One time I regreat not listening to my inner voice was when it told me to join Alist bloggers in the beginning.
I am sorry for your loss and know that all is well. I love what Patti said about how she is planning to live each day to the fullest now. Love that!
Don’t be too hard on yourself…like Katie says, “Life knocks us down.” And “all is well.” I KNOW that too. Thanks for sharing your story. There are pieces we can all relate too. And if there is anything I can do for you let me know! xo
Hi Tess,
A-List Bloggers has been a great source of information and way to network, but you don’t need that – you know so many bloggers and are doing so well with your blog! I thought you recently joined? I rarely have the time to visit the forums anymore.
Thanks for much Tess. I’m really fine about it – honest. I know I’ll make up what I lost and more over time. Now, I can do so many more things since I don’t have to worry about keeping up that big house – it really did liberate me as Aileen said in her comment.
I appreciate your sympathies and your offer to help. I think I actually came across way harder in the post than I really am to drive the points home. I believe everything happens for a reason. I ignored my intuition, but perhaps it was all meant to shake out this way? I’m looking for that silver lining – it’s out there!
I’m an eternal optimist – I always have been, so it’s gonna be okay! Thanks so much Tess, you’re a gem!
I’m still kind of in shock from reading your post…synchronistic, as I have lately been being urged to move from a house I moved into only one year ago. I know it is the right thing to do, but I’m still trying to convince my husband.
While I don’t want to believe the “little voice”, I know it is always right…
Guess I’ll go home tonight and make re-newed efforts with him!!!
Kara
Hi Kara,
Mmm, very interesting Kara. Well, I hope my post serves a catalyst for you to trust your well-developed intuitive voice!
Yes, our intuition is always right on the “money” so to speak.
I’m pulling for you that you get through to him!
Let me know what happens, okay?
Angela, Your story reminds us how very possible it is to re-build our lives when things such as our finances crumble. It can feel like a devastating experience and when I think of the amount that I lost I just want to crawl under a rock and hide – yet I know, I must accept it and continue to move forward.
When we feel like we made a mistake, it can feel hard tot rust ourself and our intuition – at least for me – and I need to keep embracing courage to trust my intuition even when I’m afraid. It is wise to be cautious and it’s wise to take necessary risks – ultimately intuition is our best guide – and it takes a certain strength to listen to it when we’d rather not.
I am so happy you were able to sell your home and and liberate yourself to begin again. I have complete faith you will re-build and be better than ever.
I love all of your 11 tips – # 8, 9 & 10 speak the loudest to me right now and I’m listening!!!!
Thank you for sharing your story!
Aileen,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve also had a financial loss as well. It’s definitely a set back, but I’m grateful as it could have been worse.
I still have a roof over my head and what ever else I need right now to keep on moving forward – many other people are worse off than me. I consider myself lucky.
You’re so right it does take courage to listen to your intuition when you’d rather not – what a great way to put that.
I also feel lucky that I got a buyer for my home in only 4 months – that’s not bad these days.
Thanks for having faith in me too – all votes of confidence are accepted!
Glad you love the tips too.
Thank you so much for stopping in and commenting. How’s practice going with The Nutcracker?
Life is like driving a car in the fog. If you stop, the whole journey is pointless because you will not reach the goal. If you drive too fast – you will make an accident. Sometimes we make a mistake and make an accident.
This is the same in life. Sometimes we do not listen to our intuition. Sometimes we even sabotage ourselves consciously. But then you learn something new and return to the road. It happened to me more times than you can imagine. 😀
Frankly, I’m very glad for you Angela. Not because you were thrown off the high speed non-stop train to Moneyville. But because you learned a valuable lessons that will be your best assistants in further growth!
Thank you for sharing this story with us!
Marko,
How did you get so wise! I love the analogy about the fog.
Yes, I did learn many valuable lessons: #1 being not to listen to the opinion of others – they usually don’t have a clue anymore than I do!
The outcome of this lesson is to listen to myself and trust that my instincts are correct.
Thank you Marko – you’re right – these are valuable lessons that will further assist me in my growth, for sure!
It’s my pleasure to share my “bumps in the road” with you.
Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment too.
Angela – what a heart driven message this was. I felt the “humble” in your words and felt the passion in your strive to help others rebuild and avoid a similar outcome as you experienced.
[side note]The thing that I love about your style is that you are credible. You establish credibility based on your own experience; good and bads. For me, the reader – this allows me to fully connect.
Now my comment – I too was in the real estate business, on the finance side, but got out in 2007. In late 2006 I told myself that if things didn’t pick up during the 1st quarter of 07, that I would maneuverer my way out of the situation, to a more favorable one. 2007 hit, and my indecision lead to procrastination right about the same time I started noticing a decrease in income.
All turned out fine for me, but I really scared myself in my inaction to execute my plan B. But, that small scare made me step my game up and realize that my inactions, can hurt more than me…I have kids! I actually channel motivation from that very experience still to this day.
Sounds like you have 11 chapter introductions to build a book from!
Hi Jk,
Thanks so much for validating my advice! I don’t give advice in anything unless I can say I’ve really done this, or been there, etc. And, even then – none of us can really be experts in anything as we’re always learning, or at least we should be.
Good for you for getting out of the mortgage biz when you did, even if you did procrastinate for a while. The real estate industry is affecting all of us. The first time home buyer’s credit did help though – too bad it wasn’t extended. What are you doing now?
Hmm, I hadn’t thought it that way, but you’re right – I guess this could lead to a book sometime down the road!
Thanks Jk!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Angela! While we all have our financial trials and tribulations, it’s good to see and hear it from a trusted friend. There are so many voices suggesting what course of action we should take (or not take), that it’s often hard to figure out which voice is our own! I think it’s time for me to go back and re-read some of those previous posts you’ve hilighted for us!
Thanks, and keep that chin up!
🙂
Hi Jane,
I’m glad to know you trust my advice. I’ve learned these lessons the hard way – that’s for sure!
I will keep my chin up – thanks for the encouragement.
Thanks so much for coming by and adding to the conversation here Jane.
Thanks for this, Angela. It’s proven very timely. I’m currently at a point where I’m having to accept that “following the rules” isn’t working. Actually starting off a new business doing what I love and terrified right now. This is just the thing I needed for that little dose of courage and reminder of why I’m doing this.
Hi Karen,
I’m so happy to hear that the post was timely for you and might give you that boost you need to do what you need to do.
I wish you the best of luck with your new business. What’s the business about? Please let me know if I can be of help to you in anyway.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
Amazing life lessons, Angela. I feel for you. Nothing you did was wrong, it was just life. Life can knock us down, but the best part of your story is how you rose from the ashes and came out stronger and wiser … and how you generously shared your story so that others can learn from it. Beautiful.
Hi Katie,
Thanks so much. I do feel as if I’ve risen from the ashes, as you put it, and I am stronger and wiser for sure.
I’m glad to share my story as long as it’s helpful to others.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
Great insights Angela! I love this post – it’s so true!! Sorry you’ve had to go through and I know you know that you’re not alone. My own parents are struggling, too. I’m going to send this on to them. Great job hanging in and making such a success of your website.
Hi Betsy,
Thank you – and thank you for your good wishes!
I’ve had a rough few years, but I’m still standing and plan on going nowhere but up – up – up now!
I hope that things will improve for your parents as well.
Thanks so much for coming by Betsy!
Angela- this is so powerful! Thanks for sharing something so personal to help others.
I love the 3 index card idea…I’m going to implement that!
Boy that voice inside is powerful, but I know I haven’t always listened.
How many times have we had love go wrong and we admitted to ourselves in hindsight that there were “signs” and we really knew inside….
…Or a business deal (or home business)- you just “felt” it was wrong……
Yes, multiple streams of income for sure…although I will admit I didn’t think this way 3-4 years ago, but we must definitely be flexible and be able to change with the times.
Crazy times we live in!
Hi Carolee,
I’m glad you’re finding the post helpful. I must admit I was hesitant about “baring all” here, but I thought if I’m to help people they really need to understand the backstory.
Multiple streams of income for sure! I’m thinking my next house is going to be a 2 family for that very reason.
Yes, so true. I “knew” I shouldn’t have married my ex-husband, but I did it anyway and it was disastrous! Or a business deal, or associating with a particular person. There are signs and feelings that we get that we absolutely ignore – and that’s my mission here at Powered by Intuition to share how to follow these signs and stay on the “high” road!
Crazy times – but we are up to the challenge, right!
Thanks so much for visiting and sharing here Carolee.
Hello Angela,
What profound lessons you have learned. Thanks for baring it all and giving this great advice on how to rebuild. Please don’t be angry at yourself! We all make mistakes sometimes. It seems to me that listening to one’s intuition is like exercising a muscle – it takes time and repeated practice to grow strong. It’s more our habit not to listen. So I fully understand.
I did rebuild my life at one point and I think letting go of attachments is one of the strongest lessons in a transition.
Thank you as always for your genuine heartfelt writing. You can see the title of my current post matches your experience perfectly!
Hi Sandra,
Yes, I have had the lessons “seared” into me now like a brand and will wear them for the rest of my life. Thank goodness I’m also a trained financial planner – so I never lived above my means with a lot of debt and knew how to save money, but my “means” just dried up due to the economic downturn in the real estate market.
I agree – listening to one’s intuition is like developing a muscle. In my case – I over-developed the one that worked in readings for others, but under-developed the one for myself! To be honest though, I do hear my intuition frequently for myself as well – it’s just that this was such a blatant and huge mistake financially that it overshadows all the times I’ve been “right-on” with my intuition. But, I guess that’s human nature.
I’m glad to hear that you rebuilt your life once though. I think learning to detach from material possessions is one of the hardest lessons for we humans, after all we are living in a material world – for the moment anyway.
I love your writing and will swing by to read your post in a few moments.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting Sandra. It’s always a pleasure to see you here.
Hi Angela,
Gee! Sorry to hear what you’ve gone through… Although you seem to have a wonderful attitude about it, and are sharing what you’ve learned as well.
I had to add that my husband and I went from “being on top to treading water” (as you put it) too, but overnight. We found out not only had our retirement and savings been stolen, but that the gov’t agency that is supposed to insure us is changing the rules in this case and we are getting squat. (This is being appealed in the courts.)
As an intuitive, I don’t like admitting I didn’t see it coming. But I will say that the day we found out about it, I absolutely knew beyond a doubt that everything is fine. Now, what exactly that means, is yet to be seen, but it was such a strong feeling/knowing I do find comfort in it.
I think there are blessings in every situation (that’s what my latest post is about! For some reason commentluv never works for me on your site. I hope it’s okay if I put my post link http://lightspiritedbeing.com/2010/11/20-questions-to-turn-hardships-into-blessings/ since it’s related.) For example, I’d have never found blogging and discovered my love of writing if not for the fact that I need to come out of retirement to earn a living again.
However, I am not going to follow all the rules this time and save like we were taught, and like we did all our lives only to have it disappear right when we were about to finally benefit. Nosirree. I am living much more for today. And that is more than enough.
Thank you again, Angela! Great post, as always.
Hi Patti,
I’m so sorry to hear about what happened with all your retirement funds. I don’t blame you for being upset. To have them stolen and then not be able to get help from the court system is just terrible. I think your intuition is right though – you’ll be just fine and perhaps because of your new attitude of living for today – even better than before. I do believe in silver linings – everything that happens is for our good – ultimately. It’s just up to us to expect and then look for the silver lining in everything that happens. For me – selling my beloved house has freed me to start over – which I love. I’m not weighed down by the house any longer, so I can live anywhere and do anything I want now – it’s very exciting to me!
I’m sorry Comment Luv doesn’t work for you here. That happens to me on some sites too. I’m glad you put your link in and I shall go over and read your post directly! Thanks so much for visiting and adding to the conversation here Patti.