How Do You Play the Prosperity Game?
Have you ever played the Prosperity Game? I play it periodically when I am feeling out of sorts financially or feeling the urge to grow. And this morning I was inspired to look at it from a new direction.
Basically, the game is played by picking an amount of virtual money to spend each day. You can spend it on yourself, on your business or anything else you choose. I started with a penny which was challenging because very little costs a penny these days.
Once you pick a starting amount, it doubles every day – and you have to spend all the money each day. What I quickly found the first time I played is that the virtual amount you can spend on “things” you need and want personally is quickly satisfied.
So perhaps you create a business and grow it with the virtual resources you have at your fingertips. At another point, you may find that you want to contribute to the well-being of others. Once you have received everything you desire, where can you spend it? More businesses, more contributing and you may find you experience joy in helping others.
This morning, the question I am pondering is: How much do you have to have before you are comfortable giving to others?
The question emerges from a T. Harv Eker class I listened to yesterday. He was addressing the internal conflict many of us feel between making lots of money and our concept of being spiritual. We want to pursue our dreams, serve the world, and make a difference, yet we cannot justify charging for our services. If you cannot charge, you cannot afford to continue the work. If you cannot continue the work, then your dreams flounder, you do not serve the world or make a difference. And, in fact, if your thoughts about money are seriously negative, you become part of the problem. “You become a taker rather than a giver.”
If you knew that you receive money (income) in direct proportion to the value or service you give others, but felt that you could not continue to provide that service if you did not have the financial wherewithal to do so, what would happen? What would you do? Eker suggests that you get comfortable with charging for your services and satisfy your spiritual side by contributing to others in some way. Find a way to balance your income. He tells a wonderful story of someone who charged for services 4 days per week, and donated those same services 2 days per week to those who could not afford to pay for what they desperately needed.
And so the question: At what point are you comfortable giving to others? Or vice versa, at what point are you uncomfortable giving to others?
Would you be willing to play a version of the prosperity game designed to expand your comfort zone when considering when you can give? This time we will start with a penny, a real penny. I’d like you to donate a penny to someone or something today. Toss a penny into the tip cup on someone’s counter. Feel okay? If not, do it again tomorrow. Is it harming you in any way? Get comfortable with giving a penny.
As soon as you are comfortable, double it. Put in 2 pennies and keep doubling the amount you give as long as you feel comfortable spending real money in this way. You can change the beneficiary at any time you wish. And when the amount starts to have a real impact on your finances, you can switch to donating time, services or stuff. And when even that amount no longer feels possible, organize a way to raise the next level of resources for someone, perhaps a crowdfunder platform. As soon as you reach it, double the giving goal once again. Keep donating to the causes that call to you, the ones that give you joy in the giving and the ones that make you feel the way you want to feel when you have enough to pursue your dreams and live the lifestyle you desire.
It is said that when you appreciate your life now, more of what you appreciate comes to you. Your dreams take off. Your goal to be of service and make a real difference in the world can be fulfilled. May your giving be your way of showing appreciation for all that blesses you and may even more blessings follow. Try it and let me know what you experience.
To a more abundant life,
Susan