More Money Is Just The Beginning...

When I was going through hypnosis training, I became familiar with the four levels of brain wave activity: Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta. 

Beta is an active, walking, talking brain wave.  I hope you're in it now.

Alpha is entry-level hypnosis, a semi-conscious state where the subconscious mind is easily accessed.  We go through alpha at least twice a day, when we are waking up and when we are going to sleep.  There are other times, and I'll talk about that shortly.

Theta is a deep hypnotic state and is created with very long slow arching brain waves.

Delta is post-turkey dinner, near tryptophan induced coma where Uncle Frank passes out in the Lazy Boy with his hand in his pants.  (Or something like that... I don't remember... think I was hypnotized at the time).

The other times you may find yourself in the Alpha brain wave are when you're driving and can't remember the majority of the trip, when you're staring at the television and the commercials are being beamed into your brain, and when you're listening to someone drone on in the seat next to you on an airplane flight to Boston... or at least, that's when I do.

If you've ever woken from one of these mental snooze trips, you realize that you went away and wonder what happened while you were gone.  It's as if your body and mind have gone on autopilot and left you to play hookie for awhile.

A friend of mine was recently laid off from his job at a very large, very (seemingly) stable company with almost no warning.  He made a comment to me that he'd have to take his life off of autopilot. 

Hmmm.  How many of us are living this way in a job that we think is secure, but may not be as safe as we believe?  Isn't it interesting that the idea of safety and security has been completely thrown on it's ear?  We used to take jobs at large companies because they offered us that sacred cow of security.  The pensions.  The bennies.  The free Post-it notes. (whoops, let that slip.)

Now more than ever, it's the people that are self-employed that have the tiger by the tail.  Sure, it's tough out there, but no tougher than going out and trying to find a high paying job in an economy that has shed those as if it were trying to win The Biggest Loser. 

It's forced (I'll say it again... FORCED) the folks who hadn't really thought about going at it on their own to do exactly that.  And I, for one, am THRILLED!  This economy is exactly what we needed.  We needed to get back to creativity, and less is more, and networking to help each other.  Let's get back to teaching our kids how to save and invest, then spend.  Let's all get back to becoming investor/consumers and not just consumers.

The autopilot has now been disengaged.  All passengers are encouraged to leave their seats, get in the Beta brain wave, and figure out a way to get this plane home. 

Rock on, America.  I know we can do it.