We got freedom from the Brits in 1947, however we still have not got freedom from poverty, hunger…etc. This brings me to the greatest freedom ever. The greatest freedom ever is something which all of us have – and most of us do not use it well. It is the freedom to choose our attitude.

We can choose what we tell that little voice in our head. At the first sign of trouble this inner voice tells us about the worst things that can happen to us. “This Corona….and the world will end” or “YesBank is just the beginning..the next bank is…………and the world will end”. The advantage of being financially free (with a reasonably well managed portfolio, may I add) is that you can “kill” the negative thoughts. Just “shut up” is a good message to the internal voice. I am sure even the most optimistic public personality have had their share of problems. Kapil Sharma who has makes everyone laugh went through a depression – and even now he looks overweight and has his stories of drinking. Deepika Padukone went through her relationships and flirted with depression. We have seen cricketers go through depression.

How does one handle NEGATIVITY? Well, it can’t be easy. Even though I am not looking for work, when I send a proposal and it does not get the desired response, I do go through pangs. I keep wondering –

a) am I becoming irrelevant

b) is my pricing wrong

c)am I not able to convey the advantages of my training…

the usual pangs of a salesman / entrepreneur – both hats I refuse to wear!

I find lots of offers for “use” or “mis-use” of my blog. One blog post (and 2 tweets) was offering me Rs. 100,000 (55k after agency commission) – but hey I was looking for training, not “selling” space on www.subramoney.com !

Do I need a constant pat in the back – with money earned, trainings done, book sales, dividend received (aka portfolio performance). Is it about the cash or is it about “using money as a scorecard” which I am doing?

Such thoughts keep worrying you also? I am sure it worries the best amongst us. Self doubt gets worse as you climb higher – the more you think you do not deserve it. A fund manager with a US $ 1 Million (year does not matter, but that was his bonus) has to be gently nudged that this is the country where you can see kids scavenging for money. This is the same country where I think Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini are more inspiring than the 2% and 20% fee charging Hedge fund manager with a pathetic track record !!

What do I do?
I have created a Mission statement wherein I want to reach a million people on a yearly basis to urge them to do their basic financial stuff right. Get an index fund, credit card, term insurance, do retirement planning, write a will,…

Once I have that, then the assignments become less relevant. Blogging, publishing books, appearing on television – I must thank Cnbc, Cnbc awaaz, Zee business, ETMoney, ….for inviting me over the past 15 odd years. I must also thank ET, Indian Express, Money Today, India Today, Motleyfool.com, MoneyControl, for allowing me to write for them. They have helped www.subramoney.com reach this level of reaching out to more than 1.5 million page views a year.

Yes, financial freedom has this benefit – of asking the negative voice inside you to “just shut up” after you send a proposal. I know one good month will be followed by one “not so good month” – and hey the money for expenses is already in the kitty right?

Depending on the response I may do some more such “non financial, but motivational kinda posts.