Robert Kiyosaki's Top Ten

“People should create luck and not wait around for it. “

- Robert Kiyosaki

Ever imagined what is in the edge of success? Nice house, beautiful wife, lovely children, latest car, cool appliances and gadgets, and a high position in a big company but then suddenly the company you’re working went bankrupt and you lost your job with a family to feed, house and car to be paid. Then ever imagined you not ever worrying anything like it? Many people work very hard but they never seem to earn enough. Money will not solve anything; it will even get most people into more debt. Money is not the problem here, it’s the use of money.

So what’s the secret? Financial intelligence to have financial independence or freedom. Robert Kiyosaki, an eighth grade dropout entrepreneur and investor is one of the most financial literary activist and commentators today. His book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” is rated as one of the best personal finance books of all times and in it he details many ways to achieve financial freedom.

Here it goes…

1. Decide and Start Today

Don’t depend your whole life working to put a little money in your pocket and a bunch on someone else’s. Decide to leave the rat race and start to work not on a job but on people to put money on your pocket. Understand that every decision you make today will impact your life tomorrow. Get out of your comfort zone and recognize opportunities.

2. Be Financially Literate

Kiyosaki says, “Intelligence solves problems and produces money. Money w/o financial intelligence is money soon gone.” You should know the difference between an asset (something that puts money in your pocket) and liability (something which takes money out of your pocket). Evaluate your finances. He says that being ignorant gets you bullied whereas being informed translates into “you have a fighting chance.” You don’t have to go to school for that, you can read references or consult mentors who can guide you.

3. Budget

Budgeting and living within its limitations may be hard especially when you’re used to uncontrollable spending. This is a crucial and important activity. It gives you a sense of accountability. It gives you the input you need to manage your income and control your expenses.

4. Simplify

Life is becoming more complex nowadays with all the shiny temptations around which can blurr your financial goal. So learn to simplify your life free from all those clutters. Do not follow the crowd and be the crowd.

5. Debts are a No-no

Debts dry you up and hinder you from financial freedom. It is one of the leading causes of financial insecurities. You should bear in mind and make it your passion to be debt-free.

6. Pay Yourself First

Even if short of cash, you must pay yourself first. Pay yourself with cash flow, people and personal time. Cash flow like emergency funds or saving; people like spending time with your family and; personal time - yourself.

7. Be Generous

As commonly known, “the more you give the more you receive.” It is not accounting-wise; it’s just how nature works. “Teach and you shall receive. There are powers in his world that are much smarter than we are. You can get there on your own. But it’s easier with the help of the powers that be. All you need to be is generous with what you have and the powers will be generous to you” says Kiyosaki.

8. Have a Clear Purpose

Why do you want to earn more? Because I don’t want to work my entire life or I want to have a control over how I decide to spend my time or I want to support my parents financially who worked hard their entire life. Make it clear and focus on it. It’s when you have them that keeps you going and motivates you to live and enjoy the life you long to live.

9. Learn. Learn. Learn.

Learning is not a goal, it’s an ongoing process. Never stop learning. Continue to ask questions and absorb new ideas. This is how you grow. Keep the learning curve alive.

10. Network Marketing

The low startup cost of setting up a network marketing company is a great advantage. It is very hard to start a big business without a huge investment and time. It gives you time to build your business skills and transforms you into a business person easily. It supplies you with a residual income. So you make money while you sleep and travel.

Financial freedom is not an easy journey but with faith, determination, discipline, courage, love for family and life, the journey can be a less rough one. Be ready to change your life. Kiyosaki says, “Before you can transform your wallet from poor to rich, you've got to transform your spirit from poor to rich. Luxuries are experienced when they are outward manifestations of intelligent investing and asset building.” So be ready to be financially free and live those luxuries.