It was the election that started too early, lasted too long and ended with a country that is clearly divided.
Between Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Russian hackers and an array of supporting characters, the 2016 presidential election played out like a comedy turned tragedy turned mystery. By the time it was over, everyone seemed sick and tired of the drama.
But it's already time to cast another vote—one for yourself.
On a day-to-day basis, the person sitting in the Oval Office really doesn't have that much to do with your success. Sure, the president might be the leader of the free world, but you make all the important decisions about what happens in your sphere.
That's why you need to cast a vote in favor of yourself this year, take control of your destiny and impose your will on your ability to live a prosperous life. Here's how:
1) Get (and stay) healthy
There is nothing more important than your health. Without it, nothing else matters. Not social status, professional accomplishments or wealth. In fact, without your health, you're not likely to hold on to your wealth for very long.
According to a study reported on by Bloomberg, many seniors will spend nearly a quarter-million dollars on healthcare costs after they retire. That can take a serious bite out of your ability to live a long, prosperous life.
Thankfully, you can partially control your healthcare costs by making the executive decision to get (and stay) healthy. Start today by eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep and keeping your stress levels as low as possible.
2) Love what you do—and do it for a long time
If you're like many Americans, you are likely looking forward to retirement. But what if you loved your job so much you didn't want to call it quits? What if you wanted to work for as long as possible? Imagine the possibilities.
Finding a job you love allows you to earn more money, build more wealth and get more out of life.
If you retire at 65 (the arbitrary age determined during the Great Depression), all of your experience, knowledge and skill simply goes away. You don't benefit from it and neither does the country's economy. On the other hand, if you keep working by starting a post-retirement business or finding a way to monetize a hobby you enjoy, you keep earning money, and the country benefits from your gifts.
3) Build a bigger war chest
You may not be the commander-in-chief, but that doesn't mean you won't have battles to fight as you get older.
Healthcare costs, investment opportunities, emergencies and your ability to knock things off your bucket list will all require a significant war chest. So start building a bigger one today by increasing the amount of money you're saving.
The bigger your war chest, the better prepared you'll be for life's battles down the road.
4) Acquire assets
If you are serious about building wealth and prosperity, you have got to be serious about owning things. Wealth is all about control, and owning things gives you the maximum amount of control.
In order to become wealthy, you need to be in control of your destiny by acquiring assets—things that cannot fire you, lapse or impose their will on you.
If you own a business, you cannot be fired. If you invest in whole life insurance, it will not lapse. If you own a home, no landlord can raise your rent.
Start taking control of your destiny by beginning to acquire assets.
5) Eschew entitlements
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, WIC and Lifeline. These are just a few of the "safety nets" the federal government makes available to Americans in need.
In reality, most are entitlement programs, and you should not count on them to help you build a bright financial future.
Sure, if you need them in a pinch or an emergency, you should certainly take advantage of them. But building them into your plan for practicing prosperity economics isn't prudent. In fact, it could be downright dangerous—especially if you are relying on Social Security, which may or may not be around by the time you retire.
Instead, eschew entitlements by ensuring that you will never need them. Work hard, save your money and build wealth by acquiring assets. Take responsibility for yourself and you will never have to rely on others to take care of you.
6) Practice prosperity economics
If you are like many Americans, you are probably following financial advice that has been passed down from generation to generation: Invest your money and your future in mutual funds.
This advice has been repeated as gospel for years, and it has been saddling people with fees, future taxes and penalties for decades when they needed their money for emergencies or investment opportunities.
Thankfully, there is a better way.
Practicing prosperity economics involves saving, putting your money in places where it remains accessible and working to actively accumulate wealth. It allows you to leverage your savings to create multiple forms of cash flow, maximize the returns you receive on your money, and be ready for emergencies and opportunities alike.
7) Lead
Regardless of who you voted for (or did not vote for) during the last presidential election, each candidate's willingness to step up and lead demonstrates a lesson.
Without leaders, nothing constructive would ever be created.
Now is your time to lead.
Your future self is counting on you to create a brighter future. So cast a vote for yourself, and then get (and stay) healthy, love what you do, build a bigger war chest, acquire assets, eschew entitlements, and practice prosperity economics.
These are the things leaders do—even if they don't sit behind the desk in the Oval Office.
Sent from the Land of Possibilities!
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