It’s important that we cultivate a sense of gratitude for everything good that exists in our lives NOW.  Where affirmations speak into the future you plan to create, gratitude is about being thankful for what is currently so.  In her wonderful book, Zero to Zillionaire, Chellie Campbell suggests, “Thank whatever Higher Power you believe in for all that you have.  Gratitude is the only thing that studies have proven increases happiness.”

We get more of what we focus on.  If you start consciously paying attention to your thoughts, it may surprise and frighten you to realize how much time you spend thinking about everything that is wrong in your life and your business, and beating yourself up for everything you should have done differently.  What might happen if you started taking time every day to focus on what is good, what you have done right, what you love about who you are and what you have?  Personal growth expert, Anthony Robbins, suggests starting everyday with a gratitude exercise.  This may not come easily at first.  You can focus the exercise by “working from the inside out”, either speaking out loud or silently to yourself as follows.  First, state all of the things you are grateful for, focusing only on yourself.  “I am thankful for my health.”  “I am grateful for my commitment to regular exercise.”  “I am grateful for my beautiful singing voice.” (Or your ability to paint, or your work ethic, or your intellect – whatever you feel are positive traits you have.)  Really take the time to think of everything you can.  Perhaps you are a brilliant mediator.  Do you consistently strive for and achieve high levels of integrity and honesty.  Are you kind, a loving mother, a good friend?

Now you are going to expand your circle of gratitude.  Move outwards to your family and close friends.  Perhaps you are grateful for all your parents did to raise you, or the health and happiness of your brothers and sisters.  Do you have friends that are always there for you – who love you – and make you laugh?  Continue the exercise, just growing the circle wider and wider to encompass everything for which you give thanks in the sphere of your business, then your community, followed by society and even the world.

The fact is, if you do this exercise genuinely, not making things up, but sincerely looking at all that is good, it is literally impossible to come away without feeling happy, positive and truly energized.  Imagine what would be different if you truly made the commitment to start your day, every day, this way.

We can all find things to be grateful for.  Once you get started, the floodgates will open and you’ll discover that having an “attitude of gratitude” can actually become a natural state.  And from that state – absolutely anything is possible! At http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com we’ll help you create the lasting mindset and space of gratitude to support your ongoing growth as an entrepreneur.

Now think about your financial goals.  You want to create success in your small business, build wealth and enjoy prosperity in your life.  You plan to save some money and learn how to invest and create multiple streams of income.  What type of people are you around day after day?  Are they trying to gain wealth and prosperity like you, or are they like those people who hang out in front of the television eating junk and complaining about their lot in life?  In other words, are you associating with fellow entrepreneurs and other individuals who just talk about changing their financial life or are you associating with people who are doing something to make it happen?

Of course we are not suggesting that you dump all your friends and run out to find new ones.  Our close relationships are based on far more than simple wealth and financial criteria.  However, what we are suggesting is that in order to build success in your small business you must start expanding your circle of friends and acquaintances.  Find the entrepreneurs who are living the kind of life you want, the people who are trying to build their wealth, and get to know them.

There is a common theory that if you make a list of the five people you spend the most time with and take an average of their income, the resulting figure will be fairly close to your own earnings.  This ties directly into Step 8 of The Prosperity System – surround yourself with other wealth builders – and is part of what makes this step so important.  If you are making the choice to focus on improving your finances, it will be a far easier journey if you have other people in your life that are doing the same and who will support and encourage you on the journey.

So how do you meet these people?  Make a list of some networking groups and associations that you can join.  Think about people that you would like to meet and join the groups they are a part of.  If you are interested in learning about a particular type of investing, participate in a financial seminar or join a group that focuses on that.  As you meet new people, don’t be afraid to talk about what you are up to in your life and business.  Share your goals and ambitions.  Opportunity will not find you if you stay silent.

Part of what makes the process of building financial stability and independence less scary is that you do not have to do it alone.  Being a part of a community of other like-minded individuals will help bring you to a new level personally, professionally, and financially.  Open yourself up to new associations and friendships so that these new relationships can help feed your ambition.  It’s just like having a friend with whom to go to the gym.  It adds extra incentive to keep moving forward and achieve your goals.

Visit http://www.AbundanceBoundSystem.com and join a community of entrepreneurs committed to creating wealth and prosperity. Then build the life and business you want with their support and encouragement.

However, it is true that the first step to creating significant positive changes in your business finances, is honestly examining and shifting some of your deep seated, negative attitudes towards money.  Your financial conditioning is something that you must begin to self-manage, be aware of and correct the rest of your life. This isn’t something that you can check the box and say – I’m done, I’ve arrived. Your psychology will always impact your decision making process along your wealth building journey.

I encourage you to take the time to actually write down some of the beliefs you have about money.  Honestly examine the list and ask yourself which beliefs continue to sabotage you.  Now, make a second list of what you would like your thinking about money to be.  Start carrying those lists with you.  Stop yourself when you find your mind on a thought from the first list and make a conscious decision to shift that thought to one of your new, empowering beliefs.

We believe that with the right tools, all entrepreneurs can be successful. Our mission as a company is to give you the clear action steps you need to build success as a small business owner.  Visit us at http://www.abundanceboundsystem.com for some ideas that will get you started. Accept the responsibility for changing your negative attitudes about money. By doing so, you’ll gradually reduce the mental blocks that are keeping you from consistently and powerfully doing the work to create the financial stability and profitability you so richly deserve.