By Nely Galan

What does it mean to be self-made? It’s not just about having money, but financial empowerment is where it begins. It means getting out of survival mode, where you are one problem away from catastrophe. It means changing your mindset from instant gratification to goal orientation. It means being able to sleep at night without worry. It means being rich in every way: rich in money, rich in family, rich in love, rich in time -being abundant!

If you don’t know where to start, go to your pain. Your pain is the gateway to your most authentic brand and success. No matter what you’ve been through, you can build a business from your pain, because you are the expert in it and you are not alone in your experience. First, you need to realize that there is no Prince Charming! No one is here to save us; you can’t sit around waiting for someone else to make success happen for you. You have to be the one to make it happen, and that starts with recognizing your gifts and your strengths. It means having a goal, honoring that goal and stating your intention to realize that goal. Don’t wait for magic to happen. To be chosen, you have to choose yourself first, so make it happen. You have to change your relationship with fear and failure- they need to become your best friends. When you fail, it’s because you are around the corner from your greatest success – get back on the horse! You need to be louder and braver because power is taken, not given and it is there for us. If you feel afraid, then act as if. Get into the mind and body of someone empowered, think to yourself what they would do or say in this moment and then do it! The big goal is to make money while we sleep, becoming self-made is a lifetime journey of mastery that we can all achieve.