#212 – Is the tragic chorus in your head still intoning its litany?

Money Ghosts, part 2

ACT II

Scene 3 (Cont.)

The tragic chorus of Ghosts recruited by the Ego continue to lure the Hero (you) into inaction with their tricks. The more the Hero (you) listens, the more loudly the Ghosts declaim.

GHOST OF CLINGING TO USELESS POSSESSIONS

(Flipping before you the yellowed pages of the photo album where your memories are safely kept, a shy tear about to drop from its glassy eye)

But if you let go of what your daddy said more than 40 years ago, won't he be sad that you no longer listen to him? And remember how your mommy stroked your hair when you were six, saying "poor little thing?" Those were the good times!

GHOST OF EXERTION/EXHAUSTION

(Dressed in its new gym outfit, sweatband and all, jumping up and down, an electrolyte bottle in its hand)

Come on, come on, come on! Move your butt and start doing. Apply to 500 jobs today and another 500 tomorrow – that's the only way to achieve your goals. Reach out to your contacts asking for leads. Write your morning pages, the newsletter, and the dailies on Purple Space. Ah, and post on LinkedIn. Oof! Oh, wait. Now you're wiped.

GHOST OF PHYSICAL AILMENTS

(Lifting a hand to your forehead to check your temperature)

Ok, now. Come sit down. Is that a headache? And your fingers hurt? Poor little thing, come here.

GHOST OF GIVE OUR TIME AWAY

(Handing you four manuscripts by friends, two acquaintances' resumes, and one LinkedIn profile to review – for free)

Here – learn from what other people are doing. It's also generous to make a priority of your friends' endeavors – yours can always wait. Wait forever, for that matter.

GHOST OF UNDERVALUING/UNDERCHARGING

(Dressed in black like a Spanish widow, its kerchief-wrapped head tilted, begging without begging for some leftovers at the food market)

Humility is all that matters in business. Charging high rates/asking for a high salary is bragging. Let others tell you what your work's worth by paying you what they want – it's classier.

GHOST OF NOT FOLLOWING UP

(Stuffing its chubby face with bon-bons, its meaty fingers sticky with chocolate and toffee)

Oooh, right! You reached out to all your contacts and applied to 1,000 jobs in two days. How embarrassing. Better stay mum – hopefully they'll forget.

GHOST OF STABILITY BOREDOM

(Pressing the alarm button in the smoke detector in your home office)

This job you got is boring! It's too easy for you. You need to "grow," do something more challenging.

# # #

When will you take the spotlight off the Money Ghosts chanting in your head?

Love,

Carolina