The morning of the first day back to school after Christmas I tried saying I was sick. I didn’t want to go. But my mom said, “You’re fine. You have to go to school.” So I walked to school, head down, shoulders envy dreading the day. I knew all of my friends would talk about all of the amazing gifts they’d received over the holidays. And me…nothing. Or what felt like nothing. My one tiny token gift.

So I dreamt up all the things I wished I had gotten. I recited telling the story of being showered with presents and happiness.

I wanted to be just like them. To fit in. To have the privilege of money, toys and freedom and access to all the things I wanted. Living the life.

I vowed that one day I would have those things and that I would never say “I can’t afford it.”

When I was nineteen I started a summer job at a Financial Institution. I remember feeling way out of my league. The wealth and success of these people amazed me. They were having fun, enjoying life, traveling and shopping. I was sold.

I remember picking up some papers off the printer for my boss. It was a statement for a client and I stared at the number of 000’s on that statement. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. I counted them again. The statement read $12,643,000. That number was branded into my mind.

I let my mind wander for a minute of what I would do if I had that kind of money. The trips, the clothes, the freedom. Talk about living the life. You could have it all.

I remembered vowing to myself that I would never have to say “I can’t afford it.” And this is what that looked like.

That summer job turned into a long-term job and then into a career.

A few months in, I attended my first black tie fundraising gala. I walked in and couldn’t help but watch the ladies in their beautiful designer floor length gowns, blinding diamond jewelry and their partners in their tuxedos. I felt so out of place, but I knew I wanted to fit in.

We sat down for dinner. The centre pieces were these three foot tall arrangement dripping with beautiful white fragrant flowers and gold trim. I had never seen so many pieces of cutlery and wine glasses on a table, ever before. I was curious what they were all for but I didn’t want to ask. So I decided I would wait and watch to see.

I didn’t know which side was my side plate for bread. So I passed on the bread.

I didn’t know what fork to start with when the appetizer came, so I waited and watched for the others to lead the way.

I pretended to be just like them.

I wanted to be just like them.

I wanted to soak up listening to their conversations, hearing their stories so I could imagine it being my own.

Truthfully, at the time, I didn’t feel like I had much of anything to say to these people. Heck I couldn’t even have afforded the ticket to attend the event, but was so grateful to have been invited.

It came time for the live auction. I was scared to move my paddle and accidentally get stuck buying something I couldn’t afford. But there at my table, one lady in a black Armani gown was bidding on a private jet ride to some swanky resort in California where they would have their own private chef, butler and VIP spa service.

The bidding kept going higher and higher and this woman kept raising her paddle. The price went over $32,000 and I was dumbfounded.

I wanted to be living the life like her. It was fun. Easy. Full of freedom.

My boss and his wife were sitting beside me at the table and he leaned over and whispered that I could pick anything I wanted from the silent auction and he would buy it for me. My eyes lit up. It wasn’t the gift itself, but it was the feeling of freedom to have whatever I wanted. He cared enough to give me whatever I wanted. I accepted (despite some resistance).

This was my first taste of living the life and I was hooked. I realized it didn’t have to be hard.

I know if you’re reading this, maybe you’ve been doing business the hard way. Struggling to get ahead. Not sure how you’ll get your next paying clients. Feeling tight with money. Worrying day in and day out and it’s starting to take a toll on you and your family.

Maybe for you living the life is learning how to build a profitable business.

Figuring out what to do and when so that you can have a steady stream of clients and money coming in.

The freedom to live your life just the way you want.

Never have to say “I can’t afford it” again.

Buy the things you want.

Give back to causes you believe in.

Set an example for your children of what is possible for them.

Give back to those who have given so much to you.

Take time out to just have FUN.

Your ticket to living the life might just be a conversation away. Someone reaching out to you, giving you the golden ticket to make things easy on yourself.

Business wasn’t meant to be hard. It was meant to be fun. Filled with freedom and joy!

That’s what I want for you.

And I know it’s possible, for you!

It’s not a stretch. When you know what to do, when to do it and you have the belief that it’s possible for you, you too can be living the life..

If you’re ready for 6-figure freedom in your business within the next 12 months and you want to be surrounded and supported by others who are living the life then raise your hand high in the air and declare what is going to be rightfully yours this year.

Then click here and book in time to speak with me.

Success presents itself in the form of opportunities, but it’s up to you to accept those opportunities despite resistance.

When I accepted that gift from my boss, I took a stand for the life I knew I was meant to live. It was in that moment I stopped playing small and declared a new beginning of fun, freedom and living the life.

Now it’s your turn, will you accept your gift?

P.S. Are you ready to be living the life?

It starts today when you decide it’s for you. Because one moment, one conversation can be the very thing that changes your life. Own that. Believe in that and take a stand for what is rightfully yours.

Let’s connect here.