I have heard that if you want to be rich, you have to be committed to it unreservedly. Okay, I guess I get it. I think everyone wants to be rich, right? It is probably the level of commitment that separates the rich from…well, everyone else. I have spent the last several years trying so hard to get to that place. I have told myself I am committed…yada, yada, yada. Yet, I keep feeling like the harder I try, the further away I get from “it”. What was I doing wrong?

That is why these last couple of weeks has been such an experience for me. I think I finally get it!! Yes, I want to be rich, who doesn’t? But it is not about that. I was committing myself to the wrong thing if I wanted to be rich. It is not about the money. Okay, the money is an enormous bonus. But, I need to make a priority list when it comes to commitment. If I want to be rich in the truest sense of the word, I need this to be my priority list:

1.Me! – I need to be number one. As a mother of three young boys, this is very difficult to admit. Moms understand we tend to put everyone else in front of us. Then, if there is anything left over, we might use it on ourselves. Admit it…more than likely we will find someone else to use it on though.

2.My husband – Over 10 years ago I swore before God and all of my family and friends that I would love this man in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, etc. Here I am several years later, not taking care of myself or him. He always seemed to be second to last on my list (I was last if you were wondering). God bless him, he still loves me and takes care of me as if I am the only person in his world. I now need to return the favor.

3.My boys – I have to admit, they might have moved down a couple of notches. But, before you throw me under the bus, follow me. I have always put them above me or my husband. But, then there was not much of either of us to give to them. Now, if my husband and I are taking care of ourselves first, there will be so much more to give to them. So, they really do win!

4.My extended family & friends – Without them, I don’t know where I would be today. I have family and friends that have supported me and loved me throughout my whole life. I also have friends that don’t have as many years under their belt, but they have sure made up for it in lifting me as they climb the mountain with me. To all of my girlfriends out there…you know who you are!

5.My clients – I have to admit, I have some of the best clients in the world. Many of them have come to me knowing the enormous commitment I have for my family. They understand why my office hours are what they are and they support it. They don’t mind getting a call the morning of their appointment to reschedule because I have a sick child. They understand the value I bring to every hour of mine they pay for.

I am sure there is more I am missing, but you get the point. I am so thankful for all that I have and all those people in my life. From this day forth, I promise I am committed to you in the order noted above. With that said, I am now the richest woman in the world.