“…your comfort zone is your failure zone – to get anywhere worth going in life, you’ve got to learn to reach beyond it to what I call your achievement zone. Today, the majority are so overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear that they’re unable to see or respond to the opportunities for positive change that are literally all around them. Confusion and fear keep us trapped in our comfort zone indefinitely while incredible opportunities pass us by.”
Having just finished reading an integrity-driven, truth-revealing book of such meaning and merit, it was challenging to select a lead quote. Some 250 pages, and a dozen chapters, I dog-eared, made notes and underlined myriad sentences. But this one really stands out for me, because in it I see part of my former self and financial situation. And I see many others, about whom I care deeply.
CRASHPROOF PROSPERITY – Becoming Wealthy in the Age of Risk, by Kip Herriage, is essential reading for every thoughtful, engaged person living today, who is capable of reading. Admittedly, this is a strong and sweeping statement. Perhaps I should qualify it by saying anyone, that is, who has money and would like to keep it or increase it; or who doesn’t have money yet needs, wants or would like it; or anyone who has concerns about their financial future; or who tends to use money on a fairly regular basis and hopes to continue being able to do so.
The author of this remarkable book which is destined to challenge assumptions and change attitudes is the CEO and co-founder of Wealth Masters International (WMI), and he was a former Vice President & Money Manager for top Wall Street investment firms for 15 years. In his book Kip explains that at one point he realized that “the game was rigged” and states, “That’s when I finally realized that I wasn’t put on this earth to serve Wall Street – and that maybe I had some gifts that were meant for a higher purpose.”
I have had the privilege of hearing Kip speak on several occasions, and have been blessed with several opportunities to personally speak with him. Both he and Karl Bessey, President and co-founder of WMI, are highly personable men of deep integrity. They started WMI, the world’s premiere wealth creation community, in 2005 with a mission to help others become self-reliant and create lives of wealth, health and wisdom. They’ve created a company where motivated individuals can become educated; and through WMI’s business opportunity, we are given all the tools and training necessary to acquire life-changing information, experience live events and learn proven strategies in order to eliminate debt, build true wealth (which is physical, mental, and spiritual, as well as material), and protect their assets for generations to come.
Having immersed myself in a whole new world of learning, there are a couple of things I now know for sure: this isn’t my father’s world we’re living in; most of what I was taught to believe is obsolete at best, and at times decidedly dangerous to my financial health; and those who do not pay close attention to what is happening economically and who do not take informed, decisive action could end up in a world of hurt. And most likely will.
Locally, nationally, and globally we are facing never before seen, and clearly unsustainable, levels of public, private and corporate debt. We have an administration and a Federal Reserve that are hell-bent on printing more and more fiat currency, virtually guaranteeing hyperinflation and ensuring the continued devaluation of the dollar. What is happening in our economy and around the world is unprecedented in its severity, scope and magnitude. And this is absolutely no time to sit back, do nothing and hope for the best. Denial is not a river in Egypt: it is a powerful psychological mechanism that, if operative within you with regard to the economy, needs to be confronted and overcome. The most important thing to remember is that we do have choices; and as Kip reminds us, doing nothing is a choice.
Having lost nearly all of my retirement in the stock market, a while back I was in a cold sweat about my financial future. I had been snuggly entrenched in my comfort zone, entrusting my hard earned money to so-called “experts” who did not have my best interest at heart. I finally realized that I had better get out of my comfort zone and take matters into my own hands – fast. While I had achieved a degree of success and great satisfaction throughout my career as an employee, always lived comfortably and, as I was taught – invested in the stock market through payroll deduction – that turned out to be a bad approach for retirement planning. Mainly because when it came to my investments, I deferred to the “experts” and delegated too much authority to “my advisors.” My remaining in that “comfort zone” for so many years nearly resulted in financial ruin.
Joining WMI has changed all of that I now enjoy investing and thankfully my portfolio looks markedly different than before. Today I have a very different understanding of money, currency and assets; about what money is (and what it is not); and how it works. Becoming a mid-life entrepreneur has been not only a blessing, it is also a blast!
“Some people fold under pressure. Others focus. You have a choice today – which kind of person do you want to be?”
In his book, Kip gives us history, analysis, interpretation, rich market content, and step by step strategies. He gives the benefit of his vast experience regarding the economy, money, currency, policy and the implications and “unintended consequences” of various decisions and actions. Fortunately, he also gives us integrity-driven counsel on how to not only survive, but prosper in the midst of our economic situation, and how to prepare and position ourselves for what most likely lies ahead.
I can’t help but share with you a few lines from the stirring and well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, by John Newton, given that it came to mind several times while reading this powerful book. As Kip states, we’ve got to learn to reach beyond where we are. We need to learn, begin to see things differently, to make informed choices, and take decisive action. Learning about the economy, economic policy, fiat currency, the value of gold and silver, and coming to see my own situation in light of this learning is reminiscent of Newton’s song. Because much like my indelible, life-transforming Damascus road conversion experience, this knowledge jolted me out of my comfort zone, caused a paradigm shift in my thinking about money, re-ordered my priorities, enlightened me and continues to immeasurably enrich my life.
…I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
I was blind or truly unaware and uninformed about many things monetary. Then, as I began to learn and to “see,” I was very fearful. The implications of what is happening can be truly frightening. And yet it was that very same knowledge or “grace” which shook me to my core that also “relieved” my fears. That is to say, the learning that gave me a frightful wake-up call also contains within it the newfound wherewithal to see the opportunities, the actions I can take, and the solutions which are also present. With crisis comes great opportunity. I find it fascinating and remarkable that in Chinese, the word or character for “crisis” and “opportunity” is the same. It is only how the word is used in context that determines its meaning. It’s your future, which will you choose? Will you be caught in this monetary crisis or seize the monumental opportunity?
A point that Kip has made several times in his book, his various articles and when I have seen him speak is that it is essential to think like a “contrarian.” To not be lulled into accepting the misinformation of the mainstream media, or be mislead because of the ubiquitous ‘conflicts of interest’ in seemingly every area of our lives today. Kip stresses the importance of researching, learning, understanding and doing our own due diligence. To not be like the masses who are being blindly influenced by ‘special interests’ whose only specialty is self-interest.
“Entrepreneurs are willing to think independently, take informed risks and enjoy the rewards that come from living close to the edge.”
What I have come to realize and appreciate is that for most of my 50+ years on this planet, I have tried to do the right thing, I’ve worked hard and cared deeply, and yet in many financial matters have trusted others more than I have trusted myself. This journey of new learning has taught me, among many other things, that no one else cares as much about my financial situation as I do (or need to). If you only read one book this year, make it CRASHPROOF PROSPERITY – Becoming Wealthy in the Age of Risk, by Kip Herriage . I believe you’ll have your eyes opened, get shook up, and then, hopefully will make the choice to take integrity-driven, informed action to position yourself and your family for what surely looms ahead. It is clear that Kip’s passion and commitment is to educate and empower others; and he has the knowledge, heart, expertise and track record to continue to do it impressively. The information is there, and the choice is ours to make.
For more about WMI & my story please visit http://bit.ly/LindaComptonMasterConsultant
