Sometime last year, I received an email from a public relations firm in California asking me if I would like to review a book on money that was about to be published. An interesting fact immediately caught my attention — the author, Hill Harper, was one of the stars on the popular television show, CSI:NY.
“Why on earth,” I thought to myself, “would this actor guy be writing a book about money?” Intrigued with the concept, I eagerly awaited my advance copy of Harper’s book, The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place
When I received the package, a release from the publisher revealed that Harper’s story was produced during a challenging period in his life. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, he went on a cross-country train ride to come to terms with his illness. During the trip, he got a deeper understanding about the true meaning of life, and these revelations birthed The Wealth Cure.
Reading the author blurb on the jacket, I was quite impressed to discover that Harper was an established New York Times best-selling author, had acted in major films such as Spike Lee’s He Got Game, and attained two graduate degrees including one from Harvard Law School. But what could this perennial overachiever teach the world about money?
The wealth disease
Harper shares that he had first decided to write about personal finance because many people were struggling with money issues, and he wanted to understand the topic better. Although he admits that most persons would probably like to be “infected with a wealth virus” instead of being cured of a wealth problem, he declares that we have developed an unhealthy relationship with money.
Many people are addicted to the ‘bling’ culture of excess, Harper explains, as they yearn for money and the superficial manifestations of wealth. As a result of this craving, several money problems develop such as today’s epidemic dependence on debt. “We make irrational and often destructive choices because we have given money and its pursuit too much value,” he asserts.
Harper’s initial money book idea took a different turn after his health crisis surfaced. Once he realised that physical challenges and financial problems could both be solved by getting a proper diagnosis, considering different treatment options, selecting the right treatment plan and maintaining well-being to thrive and survive, he formulated the concept of the wealth cure.
Finding your wealth factors
During the long train journey from Los Angeles to Chicago, Harper had plenty of time to deal with his own fears surrounding his illness, and he became very introspective about the real value of wealth. “Cancer, an unwelcome visitor, can quickly remind us that each moment is more valuable than we thought,” he reminisces. “True wealth does not simply mean having money in the bank.”
“So many of us want to be rich by having a lot of money,” Harper declares, “yet there is a much easier way to have true and lasting wealth.” Implementing a wealth cure to be free, fulfilled and happy should be your primary financial goal. He recommends that we create a list of ‘wealth factors’ which are elements of life which provide us with a deep enduring sense of well-being.
First, you need to “define happiness for you and you alone,” and focus on the things that are truly important to you. Factors such as spending time with family and friends, having a meaningful relationship, and gaining recognition at work are some possible examples. If you are able to attain these wealth factors, Harper concludes, then you can attain true wealth with or without money.
A sensitive interpretation of wealth
Harper’s easy conversational style provides important money lessons and inspirational guidance without being preachy or self-righteous. Along his journey, Harper reflects on various aspects of his past and shares stories of his friends’ and travelling companions’ experiences with money. Through it all, he creates a road map highlighting many of the key principles of financial success.
While you’ll get a good overview of the direction you need to take on your own wealth journey, The Wealth Cure is a little short on details about the prescription for success. I suggest that you take notes about the areas that Harper mentions such as budgeting, savings, debt control, goal setting, and investing and follow up with specialist financial advice to create a workable action plan.
I’ll leave you with one of his quotes that is a favourite of mine: “The type of bet that more of us need to make is betting on ourselves. I want you to bet on your dreams. Bet on your goals. Bet on the vision you have for your life. Bet on your passion. When you place those types of bets by putting money toward the pursuit of what is in your heart, it is not only a good bet, it is an investment.”
Copyright © 2012 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.
Originally published in The Daily Observer, March 15, 2012
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Cherryl is a money coach and business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com and www.financiallysmart.org. Contact Cherryl