Neuroscience

The Difference Between Men & Women…in Investing

For over 20 years, I’ve been baffled.

Sure, we women have become excellent dollar watchers and bargain hunters. But investors? Forget about it. We want to learn, but lack the confidence to act.

And here’s what’s really baffling. Once women enter in the market, we’re actually better investors than men.  Key findings in a recent article on The Motley Fool, (https://www.fool.com/research/women-in-investing-research/) show that “female investors earn better returns than men—up to 1% in some studies and, on average, women lost 2.5% of their stock portfolio value in 2015, while men lost 3.8%.”

But, women are still less confident than men in their investing ability. Only 9% of women think they make better investors than men according a Fidelity report.

The Secret to Financial Miracles (for proof it works, read till the very end)

(This was inspired by a discussion last week, in my online community, The Wealth Connection. I listened with awe to women who put this principle into practice and reported miraculous changes.)

You want to create financial miracles? Let me tell you how.

The secret is deceptively simple, incredibly powerful, yet can be so uncomfortable, many won’t want to do it.

But if you’re willing to try, and you’re consistent in your efforts, you’ll experience significant change, often within a very short time.

The secret is this: Stop telling your old story.

Stop talking about your life as it’s been: your flaws, your fears, your sorrows and distress. And start talking about the life you desire to create: who you want to be, what you want to do, how you want to feel, as if it’s already true.

“What you share you strengthen,” A Course in Miracles explains.

The Secret to $uccess No One Ever Talks About

I was mystified. It was 1994. I’d begun researching my first book, Prince Charming Isn’t Coming, by interviewing women who worked in the financial industry—investment advisors, mortgage brokers, bankers, etc.

After all, I assumed, financial professionals were the perfect candidates to illustrate the book’s theme: how women went from being ignorant to smart about money.

Believe me, I never expected how many would tell me: “I do this for a living, but my own finances are a mess!”

How could that be?? Decades later I discovered the reason.  In a word, Self-Efficacy, or rather the lack of it.

Self-efficacy—a psychological concept developed by the Stanford psychologist Albert Bandera—is the belief that I can do whatever I decide to do, trusting I’ll succeed no matter what.

It’s the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it, between being highly competent and feeling truly confident.

What is Wealth? (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)

I’ve been doing a lot of interviews lately. My latest book, Rewire for Wealth, made its debut last week.

The one question I’m asked most often is this: How do you define wealth? It’s a great question. And there’s a gazillion different responses. Most people will define wealth with a dollar figure that’s at least double what they currently have.

But I see it differently. Wealth is not an amount. It’s a mindset.

I know women worth millions who are financially insecure. I know many who have far less and consider themselves bountiful. Wealth without well-being is not the aim of my book or the work I do. Financial well-being means you’re in control of your money instead of being at its mercy.

A Grand Experiment in Mind Training (And A Gift to Support You)

I spent New Year’s Day mulling over goals. Normally, I come up with a fairly long list of things I want to accomplish over the next 12 months. This year, however, I decided on only one.

Neuroscience research has convinced me that this single goal is so astonishingly powerful, that if I stick to it—and I fully intend to—will produce profound changes in my life. And yours too if you care to join me.

My one goal for 2021 is: Whenever I notice I’m having a negative thought, I will immediately replace it with a loving one.

Words are powerful. Language literally shapes our brain.

Whatever you repeat often enough—whether the words are in your head or come out your and mouth, even if they are a lie—your brain will hold as truth, your words become self-fulfilling prophecies and your behavior will follow suit.

Case in point: How drastically different conversations are with high earners than with their lower paid peers.

Don’t just Resolve…Rewire!

The ritual begins the morning after Christmas. I wake up wondering about the coming year. As I write, 2021 looms before me like a blank canvas and I ask myself—how do I want to fill it?

Thus begins the Annual Writing of My New Year’s Resolutions. I suspect many of you may be doing the same.

Even if you don’t actually write them down, I imagine you contemplating what you want to achieve in the coming 12 months.

We do it even though we know that New Year’s Resolutions rarely work. In fact, 80% of us give up by the second week in February.

That’s why I’m doing it differently this year. I’ve discovered another way, a better way, to bring those Resolutions into reality. Don’t just Resolve…Rewire!

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The Immense Power of Shifting Your Perception

“There is another way of looking at the world.”  When I read those words in A Course in Miracles (ACIM), I had no idea what a game changer they would be for me.

I realize now, after studying neuroscience, the Course was telling me a profound, but simple, secret to creating miracles AND rewiring your brain.

The secret is this: whenever you’re upset, disturbed or challenged, say to yourself: “There must be another way of seeing this.” 

Then consciously and consistently change, or reframe, the way you interpret an event. It makes no difference if it’s true or not.

The moment you start telling yourself a new story, your brain’s wiring will change. And when your brain changes, your world changes miraculously.

Admittedly, reframing can be difficult. I’ve found three techniques that have helped me shift my perception—and, as I’ve only recently understood—reprogram my unhealthy beliefs and behaviors into much healthier ones (which, in itself, is a miracle).

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Why Your Brain Thinks You’re an Imposter

I clearly recall interviewing over 150 high earners for my book, Secrets of Six-Figure Women. I expected these women to be extremely confident. And they were indeed.

What I didn’t expect was how many struggled with crippling fear, chronic self-doubt and felt like a fraud, terrified others would find out—The Imposter Syndrome

That was exactly how I felt. But there was a difference between them and me at that time. They didn’t let fear and inadequacy stop them. Their courage inspired me.

In fact, after one of those interviews, I grabbed a blank piece of paper and wrote, in red crayon: “Do What You Fear. That’s How You Succeed.” I framed it and put it on a table across from my desk where it still stands today.

Now, decades later, I look at those words and realize I need to add a critical caveat: “But Don’t Forget to Rewire.”

Thank You!

Today, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m taking this opportunity to say Thank You…

…to all of you who are reading this blog, even if it’s the only time you ever do, I truly appreciate you reading it today.

…to everyone who’s ever written to tell me how my work has impacted your life, you have no idea how your words have impacted mine. In fact, your notes and emails are tucked in a box beside my desk.

…to anyone who’s bought my books and perhaps passed it onto a friend, this means more to me than you can ever know.

…to those of you who’ve joined my groups or signed up for coaching, I’m endlessly grateful you trusted me to guide you while teaching me to be a better guide.

…to my amazing team—Lynda Jo, Carney, Jayme & Ben—for taking care of all the details I abhor and for supporting me in such a deeply loving way. I really would be lost without each of you.

…to my ex who gambled away my inheritance and my father who wouldn’t lend me money, you taught me that, indeed, the obstacle is the path, leading me straight to my life’s purpose.

…to my wonderful financial team, because despite current events, my portfolio has more than doubled since I first found you.

…to McGraw Hill, the publisher who said yes to my latest book, when all the other said no.

…to my kids and grandkids who are coming to spend Thanksgiving with us. Truly, my cup runneth over.

…to my beloved husband who rarely lets a day pass without expressing his love, appreciation and support for me.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart…THANK YOU ALL!

I’d love to know who’d you like to thank this holiday season. Leave me a comment below.

Build Wealth—Even in Challenging Times!

Aspiring to wealth, these days, may feel like a ridiculous fantasy.  After all, we’re in the middle of a recession caused by an unprecedented pandemic.

But consider this. Historically, after every downturn, there are always those who manage to prosper over a period of time. Why not you? The question is ‘how?’

I believe, Thomas Stanley, in his bestselling book, The Millionaire Next Door, gives us the answer: “Before you can become a millionaire, you must learn to think like one.”

Here’s what’s crucial to understand. You don’t need a huge salary or a stingy lifestyle to accumulate wealth.

Meet Barbara Huson

When a devastating financial crisis rocked her world, Barbara Huson knew she had to get smart about money… and she did. Now, she wants to empower every women to take charge of their money and take charge of their lives! She’s doing just that with her best-selling books, life changing retreats and private financial coaching.

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