Success isn’t just about working hard; it’s about the choices we make. In her enlightening book, “We Should All Be Millionaires,” Rachel Rodgers zeroes in on the crucial decisions that define our financial trajectory. Chapter 3, titled “Million Dollar Decisions,” is a profound reflection on how women, in particular, often falter when confronted with critical decisions. Here’s a summary for those eager to embrace a financially empowering mindset:
1. The Desire to Be Liked
Historically, our survival depended on our community. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places the need for belonging just after our physiological and safety requirements. This innate desire often manifests itself as women curbing their power to fit societal expectations. Peer-reviewed studies cited by Marianne Cooper, the lead researcher for Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, found that
high-achieving women experience social backlash because their very success and specifically the behaviors that created that success violates our expectations about how women are supposed to behave. Women are expected to be nice, warm, friendly, and nurturing. Thus, if a woman acts assertively Or competitively, if she pushes her team to perform, if she exhibits decisive and forceful leadership, she is deviating from the social script that dictates how she “should” behave. By violating beliefs about what women are like, successful women elicit pushback from others for being insufficiently feminine and too masculine. As descriptions like “Ice Queen,” and “Ballbuster” can attest, we are deeply uncomfortable . with powerful women.. In fact, we often don’t really like them.
Rodgers’ advice? Seek validation from a select group who cherish you for who you are, not a watered-down version.
2. The Influence of the Wrong Crowd
Who you spend your time with matters. According to research by Dr. David McClelland, up to 95% of our success or failure in life can be attributed to our peer group. If the circle you’re in consistently makes “Broke Ass Decisions,” chances are you will too. Rodgers underscores the value of surrounding oneself with positive influences who encourage Million Dollar Decisions. Negative naysayers can hinder growth, and it’s paramount to reassess those relationships.