Charlie-Down-the-Block
Charlie-Down-the-Block is not necessarily a man but is the generic name I give all those people who ALWAYS know better than you, who know just what you should do at any given moment about just about anything. Just tell them about a new idea, a new venture, a different way of doing things and they are right there telling you that you are wrong. Charlie lives in a right and wrong world where there is a wrong way and then there is Charlie's way. The Charlies of the world give advice whether or not they are asked for it. Charlies say things like, "You are doing the wrong thing," "That will never work!" or "Who do you think you are, anyhow!" We all have had this person in our lives. Sometimes they are a relative or well-meaning friend. Just the same they can squash a good idea or business decision no matter what the facts are or how logical a move it seems.
When money is the subject, what to do with it and how to use it, Charlie's expertise grows proportional to your fears. You are especially prone to Charlie's negative advice if you have ever made a mistake with money. This means most people over the age of 16 who have ever bought something they regret, lost money on an investment or loaned money to a friend who never paid them back or --- the list goes on. These mistakes plus the traditional "should(s)" about money give Charlie plenty of ammunition even if he doesn't know a thing about money, your life or life plans.
Charlie is expert at instilling fear. Symptoms of too much Charlie include second-guessing yourself and/or stopping or hesitating to move forward even if it makes sense to you. Charlie(s) hide out everywhere so it makes sense to take him out of the closet; admitting to yourself that sometimes Charlie even lives within you. The method for letting go of the internal Charlie is different than having a plan for dealing with the external Charlie. But handling the external Charlie quiets the inner Charlie voice.
One of the best ways to deal with Charlie-Down-the-Block is to hold tight to precious new ideas, changes and plans like they were a newborn baby. There was a time when an infant was not exposed to other people and their germs until it was strong enough to resist infection. The analogy is that exposing your infant financial plans or business decision or idea to Charlie can give it the negative disease that he spreads.
If exposed to Charlie, the following suggestions can help to reduce symptons:
- Listen politely, but at a distance, knowing it is just one person's opinion.
- Sort out fact from negative fiction before deciding how much of Charlie's advice is reasonable for your situation.
- Check in with your negtive beliefs to make sure Charlie is just not just saying out loud what your internal negative Charlie is telling you.
Call for Journey Stories
Journey to Wealth & Wisdom, Second Edition
I thought I finished my book forever four years ago. Now four years later, I have greatly increased my wisdom and knowledge on the complexities of money. Focusing on small business owners, as their advisor and coach, has given me a new perspective about creating wealth. I have come to believe that owning your own business is the only real job security.
Are you a business owner who has a winning story to tell?
In the second edition of my book, I will be including your success stories and connecting them with the Seven Secret Agreements for Financial Success. Please send your success story to me at my e-mail address, marilyn@wealthyu.com.
Joyous Prosperity,
Marilyn August,
Business Advisor/Wealth Coach
* Agreement #6 of the Seven Secret Agreements for Financial Success.
