Passion Struck with John R. Miles
5 Inspiring Ways to Build the Power of Psychological Wealth | EP 540
Fri, 29 Nov 2024
This holiday season, we’re shifting the focus from what’s under the tree to what’s happening in our hearts. Inspired by The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, in episode 540, I explore the concept of psychological wealth—the emotional and relational richness that defines a fulfilling life.Psychological wealth isn’t about money or possessions. It’s about cultivating gratitude, building meaningful relationships, and finding joy in life’s simple moments. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of gratitude and redefine what it means to live a truly rich life.Link to the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/5-ways-to-build-psychological-wealth/Call to Action: This holiday season, challenge yourself to redefine what it means to be rich. Embrace the five practices of psychological wealth—shift your perspective, strengthen connections, practice kindness, find purpose, and commit to growth. Let gratitude and connection guide you to a life filled with true wealth.If you found value in this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a review to help spread the message of intentional living. Let’s grow our hearts “three sizes” together!In this episode, you will learn: What psychological wealth is and how it differs from material wealth. How gratitude can shift your perspective and enhance emotional well-being. The dangers of tying happiness to material possessions and how to break free. Actionable ways to build psychological wealth through connection, kindness, and purpose. How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas serves as a metaphor for transforming psychological poverty into richness. Actionable Practices to Cultivate Psychological Wealth: Shift your perspective: Find joy in everyday moments. Strengthen your connections: Nurture meaningful relationships. Practice radical kindness: Respond to challenges with goodwill. Find purpose beyond possessions: Focus on meaningful experiences. Commit to personal growth: Invest in continuous learning and self-improvement. Sponsors: Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.” Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Get your free online visit at hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK. Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSION. For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Join the Passion Struck Community! Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here.Speaking Engagements & Workshops Are you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter Packs With over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.Catch More of Passion Struck: Check My solo episode on 5 Proven Ways to Overcome Emotional Fatigue Catch My Episode with Naseem Rochette’s Brave Journey of Paying It Forward Watch my interview with Jason Silver on How to Use What You Have to Get What You Desire Can't miss my episode with Susan Grau on How Our Life Experiences Shape Our Souls My solo episode on Rebuilding After a Hurricane: My Story of Loss and Recovery If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles and on Instagram at @John_R_Miles. Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel here and to our YouTube Clips Channel here. For more insights and resources, visit John’s website.Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapter 1: What does true wealth mean?
Coming up next on PassionStruck, as Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season filled with shopping sprees and Black Friday deals, have you stopped to think about what true wealth really means? It's not about what you own, but how you connect with others and experience joy. In last week's episode, we uncovered the healing power of gratitude and its ability to shift our perspectives.
Chapter 2: How can gratitude transform your life?
Now we're diving deeper into gratitude's transformative power, how it can lead to greater happiness, strong relationships, and a sense of fulfillment that far exceeds anything money can buy. From mindful connections to simple acts of kindness, discover how to nurture your psychological wealth and thrive as the year winds down. Are you ready to redefine what it truly means to be rich?
Tune in as we explore how gratitude can change your life this season and beyond. Welcome to Passion Struck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles, and on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you.
Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself. If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes.
Now let's go out there and become passion struck. Hey, passion struck fam. Welcome to episode 540 of the passion struck podcast. Thank you so much for having me. Olympic gold medalist, inductee into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, and champion of resilience.
Heather shared her incredible insights on the power of mindset, how to break through self-imposed limits, and how small shifts in thinking can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Her approach to overcoming challenges and achieving personal excellence is truly inspiring. You don't want to miss it.
Then, on Thanksgiving Day, I spoke with Dr. Josh Axe, founder of Ancient Nutrition and one of the leading voices in natural health. Dr. Axe delivered practical strategies to break through limiting beliefs and become who you were born to be. His expertise is invaluable for anyone striving to live healthier and more intentionally.
And if you haven't already, I highly recommend going back to listen to these episodes. They're packed with insights and actionable advice that will help you embrace resilience Prioritize your health and live with greater purpose. For those diving into the podcast for the first time, or if you want to introduce this to a friend or a family member, check out our episode starter packs.
With over 540 episodes, we've curated playlists on themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth to make it easier to find the perfect episode for you. Visit passionstruck.com starter packs or explore them on Spotify. And don't forget, if you're looking for exclusive content and tools to apply these lessons to your life, sign up for my Live Intentionally newsletter.
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Chapter 3: What is psychological wealth?
Gratitude is a key turning point in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and it's where his story shifts from psychological poverty to true wealth. Determined to ruin Christmas, the Grinch hatches a plan. On Christmas Eve, dressed as Santa, and with his loyal dog Max in tow, he sneaks into Whoville to steal everything associated with the holiday. Presents, decorations, even the feast.
He loads his sleigh with all the stolen items, but planning to dump them on a mountaintop. But then, something remarkable happens. As dawn breaks, the Grinch hears the Who singing, their voices filled with joy despite their losses. It stops him dead in his tracks. This moment forces the Grinch to realize that their happiness doesn't come from material things.
It comes from their sense of community, togetherness, and gratitude. His attempt to steal Christmas backfires spectacularly. but in the best possible way. Instead of leaving the Who's devastated, he witnesses their unbreakable spirit. They find joy in their connection to one another, and it's this realization that triggers a profound transformation in the Grinch.
As his heart grows three sizes, it symbolizes a shift in his emotional capacity. he begins to experience the intangible richness of psychological wealth. He feels the warmth of belonging, the purpose of giving, and the joy of connection. This is where the Grinch's true growth lies, not in what he has, but in how he feels and relates to others. The Grinch's story reminds us of an essential truth.
Psychological wealth isn't about the size of your cave or the number of presents under your tree. It's about the size of your heart, the depth of your connections, and your capacity for joy and gratitude. As we navigate our own holiday season, let's take a cue from the Grinch's Journey.
Instead of focusing on acquiring more, let's invest in our relationships, nurture gratitude, and seek out meaningful experiences. In doing so, we might just find our own hearts growing a few sizes and discover a richness in life we never imagined. Let's take this transformation one step further.
The Grinch's Journey not only teaches us the power of gratitude and connection, but also highlights a key lesson about our relationship with material wealth. Think about the Grinch's cave overflowing with stolen presents, decorations, and gadgets. It's not just a hiding place. It's a perfect metaphor for how many of us get caught up in the relentless pursuit of more.
Like the Grinch before his epiphany, we've been conditioned to believe that happiness is tied to what we own. But just as his cave couldn't fill the void in his heart, neither can material success bring us lasting joy. Here's the danger. Overattaching to material wealth comes with a profound emotional cost.
We work longer hours, take on more debt and push ourselves to exhaustion, all while feeling like we're still falling short. Anxiety, burnout and chronic stress become the price we pay for a lifestyle driven by accumulation. It's a cycle we've all seen, and maybe even experienced. The excitement of getting that new car, landing the promotion, or upgrading our home. But soon after, the thrill fades.
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Chapter 4: How does The Grinch illustrate psychological poverty?
when he witnesses the Who singing joyously, even after losing their material possessions, that he begins to understand the true essence of community and connection. This idea ties directly into the holiday season. Thanksgiving, for example, serves as a poignant reminder of the wealth found in relationships.
As we gather with loved ones, it's the shared laughter, the moments of understanding, and the simple reassurance of being there for one another that makes those times precious. Financial wealth may provide opportunities, but it's the strength of our relationships that gives those experiences meaning. Yet so many of us overlook this truth.
Instead, we focus on accumulating things, believing it will bring lasting happiness. Consider these startling statistics. 70% of Americans report feeling stressed about financial pressures. The average household carries over $6,000 in credit card debt. Holiday spending alone often increases personal debt by 25% to 30%. This relentless cycle of spending leaves many of us burned out and disconnected.
Like the Grinch, we've become conditioned to believe that happiness comes from acquiring things, but hedonic adaptation tells us otherwise. The thrill of a new gadget or a lavish holiday quickly fades while the stress of financial pressure lingers. The Grinch's transformation shows us another path. When he finally opens himself up to vulnerability and connection, his life changes profoundly.
Neuroscience even backs this up. When we bond with others, our brains release oxytocin, the bonding hormone, which fosters trust and closeness. These are the elements that were missing in the Grinch's life until he chose to embrace connection and community.
Ultimately, the most successful and fulfilling lives are built not on the accumulation of material wealth, but on the strength of our relationships. The Grinch's story reminds us that happiness is found in love, community, and shared experiences. As we reflect on our own lives this holiday season,
Let's take the opportunity to nurture our own relationships, appreciate the support they offer, and embrace the profound richness they bring. Now that we've explored the role of relationships in building psychological wealth, let's dive into how psychological wealth transforms life's challenges.
When the Grinch's plan to steal Christmas fails, he's initially unable to cope with the Who's unexpected joy. His narrow focus on material possessions, and in his case, the destruction of them, leaves him emotionally unprepared for the resilience and gratitude that the Who's display.
It's only when he experiences connection, gratitude, and a sense of purpose that he begins to understand and transform. People who practice gratitude regularly, like the Who's singing despite their loss, demonstrate an incredible ability to find silver linings even in the face of adversity.
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Chapter 5: What lessons can we learn from The Grinch's transformation?
The Grinch's transformation is a testament to the enduring strength of psychological wealth and the profound growth it makes possible. As we've seen throughout today's episode, psychological wealth is what truly sustains us through life's challenges. Now, let's shift from understanding psychological wealth to building it in our own lives. Inspired by The Grinch's journey, here are
are five actionable practices you can use to cultivate greater fulfillment and resilience this holiday season and beyond. As I've discussed today, the Grinch's transformation begins when he witnesses the who's joy despite the loss of the material possessions. This pivotal moment teaches us that true wealth lies in our perspective, not in our possessions.
So here's an actionable idea, the Grinch Challenge. For one week, commit to finding joy in situations you typically find frustrating. When stuck in traffic, appreciate the extra time to listen to a podcast. When plans fall through, see it as an opportunity for spontaneity. At the end of each day, reflect on how this shift in perspective affected your mood and interactions.
The impact of this is that this practice trains your brain to seek positivity, build resilience, and emotional wealth that can sustain you through life's ups and downs. Second, cultivate community connection. As we've shown today, the Grinch's heart grows when he's welcomed into the Hughes community, showing that genuine connections are the foundation of psychological wealth.
So here's an actionable idea. Whoville gatherings. Organize monthly community potlucks where neighbors bring dishes and share stories. Create a skill exchange where community members teach each other something new. The goal is to foster the kind of inclusive, supportive community that transformed the Grinch.
The impact of this is that strong community ties provide a safety net during tough times and a source of joy during good ones. significantly boosting overall well-being and resilience. The third thing that we can do is to practice radical kindness. The Who's kindness towards the Grinch, even after his attempt to ruin their holiday, demonstrates the transformative power of unconditional goodwill.
So here's an actionable idea. The three times rule. Commit to responding with kindness in situations where you'd normally react negatively. Do this three times more than feels natural. If someone cuts you off in traffic instead of honking, wish them a safe journey. If a colleague is curt, respond with warmth. Here's the impact.
This practice not only improves your relationships, but also rewires your brain to default to kindness, reducing stress and increasing your own happiness. The fourth actionable practice that we can undertake is to find purpose beyond possessions. The Grinch's revelation that maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store is a powerful reminder to seek meaning beyond material wealth.
So here's an actionable idea. The Gift Presents Project. Instead of buying gifts, create personalized presents vouchers for loved ones. These could be promises to spend quality time together, like a nature walk, a home-cooked meal, or simply an afternoon of undivided attention. Here's the important impact from doing this.
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Chapter 6: How to build connections and cultivate gratitude?
And if you know someone who could benefit from today's message, share this episode with them. Together, we can spread the gift of transformation and purpose. I'm also passionate about taking these lessons beyond the podcast, whether it's through keynote speeches, workshops, or corporate events.
I'd love to bring this message of resilience, connection, and psychological wealth to your team or community. Learn more about how we can partner by visiting johnrmiles.com slash speaking. You can find links to everything we discussed today in today's episode in the show notes at passionstruck.com. And don't forget to watch the video version of this episode on your YouTube channel.
While you're there, subscribe so you never miss a moment of inspiration. Also, be sure to check out our sponsors and exclusive deals at passionstruck.com. Supporting those who support the show makes all the difference. Before we wrap up, next time on Passion Struck, I'm joined by Cody Sanchez, author of Main Street Millionaire, How to Make Extraordinary Wealth by Buying Ordinary Businesses.
In this eye-opening conversation, Cody reveals the secrets to creating financial freedom and living with purpose. through the power of ownership, we dive into a rich framework, the surprising wealth hidden in boring industries, and how you can join the movement to take back control from corporate giants.
Whether you're ready to take the leap into small business ownership or simply looking to rethink your financial future, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
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Chapter 7: What is the impact of relationships on happiness?
We have a real aging demographic shift that we've seen all around the world and is starting to accelerate as this baby boomer generation, the youngest of which are now starting to retire. And this generation is the big predominant owner of small businesses. And there's two things going on with that. That means that you have a ton of supply, right?
So always good to buy something at a discount if there's a big supply. The problem though is most of these owners don't know how to sell their business. They don't know how to prep their business for sale. They don't know that their business is even sellable, and they certainly don't know how to price it.
And so we have to educate the populace in how to train business owners to think about transferring their businesses so everybody gets a fair price and a fair exchange.
Thank you for spending your time with me today. Your commitment to living a life of purpose and impact inspires me, and I hope this episode has added value to your journey. Remember, the fee for the show is simple. If you found value here, share it with someone else who might benefit. Let's keep living what we learn. Until next time, live life passion-struck.