Top Ten Money Drainers

In a 2010 global survey at major cities, the following top ten money drainers are:

#10 – Using ATM services which are not from your bank

#9 – Gambling and lottery

#8 – Buying coffee and snacks at gourmet cafes

#7 – Smoking

#6 – Impulsive shopping from catalogues, TV and product roadshows

#5 – Buying branded groceries

#4 – Eating out

#3 – Unused memberships (gym, holiday, direct selling, credit card, satellite or cable TV etc)

#2 – Credit card shopping (online shopping included)

#1 – Mobile phone

So next time you wonder where your money went, check the list.

Your EQ score is 44

It’s been a long time since I did a self-assessment test, and so here are the results of my EQ test.

Range 35 – 44:

You have slightly above average EQ – with room to grow!

You are likely sensitive to the emotional climate of the people around you – your peers, friends, family and key clients.

You are well aware of the effect your behavior has on others. Still, while you may be adept at tuning into others and their needs – you must remember your own! Don’t be afraid to honestly communicate these difficult needs and feelings. The world is well stocked with martyrs – it doesn’t need any more!

Think also about your passion for work (or whatever constitutes your main roles in life – manager of people, doer of tasks, ‘meeter’ of clients’ needs, etc). We spend countless hours in our given roles – sometimes without much joy or satisfaction. In the process we become tranquilized by the trivial. Sedated by the small details of life. Sure, the laundry needs doing, the groceries need getting, the kids need chauffeuring, the deadlines must be knocked off, but we also need to stop and remember what gives us great joy and meaning. If we fail to remind ourselves (on a regular basis), we risk becoming hostile and cynical. We lose our purpose. And this translates to a diminished ability to be effective, at ease and fulfilled.

Areas to work on:

Ask yourself: – What situations generally create tension and stress for you? How are you handling these situations? – What negative thoughts play over and over in your mind on a regular basis? Are these a true picture of reality? – Are you afraid to share your needs and feelings with others? Is it because you are taking care of everyone else – being a martyr – or acting ‘the strong, silent type’?

What 3 things give you the greatest meaning in your life? If you work on gaining clarity in these areas, you will move toward maximizing your full potential and finding greater effectiveness, happiness, and fulfillment in your life.

As William James said:

I have no doubt whatever that most people live, whether physically, intellectually, or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness… much like a man who, out of his whole body organism, should get into the habit of using and moving only his little finger…

We all have reservoirs of life to draw upon, of which we do not dream.