Financial security cannot be achieved merely through owning money. As we have seen, the type of “security” represented by money and goods is a false one.

You must learn how to use wealth wisely before you can know true financial security. To achieve greater prosperity learn how to use the gifts you now have; turn your talents into money; utilize the time you now waste to create something useful for the world. Instead of wishing for more and more, use the things you now have intelligently.

If you can turn your abilities into cash you will always be able to generate income. That is true financial security.

Your time, talents, and money are all interchangeable commodities. If you have a creative talent and do not use it, that talent will die. If you have money and do not circulate it or use it constructively, it will also stagnate and do no one any good.

Perhaps the assets you now have can be used to greater advantage than the large amount possessed by a more wealthy person. Money is valuable only when it is used creatively.

Here are the steps to achieving greater prosperity:

Find out your true heart’s desire, then never stop aiming all your efforts in that direction. Once you know what you want, make attaining your goal the focus of all you do.

Use the constructive power of your imagination to help you devise new ways for achieving financial security and greater success. Do not allow yourself to get locked in to old ideas—be open to new ways of reaching your goals. Focus on the goal, not the process.

Visualize yourself in the work you would like to do. This helps you obtain a concrete picture of what you are trying to attain.

Concentrate all the powers of your mind and all your energies in the direction of the success you desire. Remember that directed energy is more effective than scattered energy.

Learn to enjoy your work or find work that you can enjoy. If due to circumstances you can not do the work you love right now, learn to love the work you have. Look for the good in it.

Have a desire to share your gifts and talents with the world. Unselfish purpose will give you a stronger motivation for attaining your goal. Doing something “for the money” often results in little or no success, and no satisfaction.

Build your knowledge by studying and preparing yourself for success. However, do not feel that you have to wait until you know “everything” before you take action. That day will never come.

Adopt a positive attitude toward success. Your mental attitude will largely determine whether your life is a failure or a success.

Time is money, so use it wisely. Wasted time and energy can never be regained. You have twenty-four golden hours a day. Rather than spending time, invest eight hours in work, eight in sleep, and eight in study, relaxation and enjoyment.

Have respect for money and use it wisely. Do not expect to get something for nothing in life, and give full value for everything you receive.

Use your money to make more money, and to work for you. Most fortunes were not built by working for someone else. Go into a business at which you can excel and stay with it.

Live within your income. By decreasing your desires you can make your money go further, instead of increasing your desires so that you must make more money. We do not need many of the things we believe we do.

It is not all about the money. Do not neglect the mental and spiritual values of life. You can be happy with very little; but if your mind is torn with conflict, with feelings of guilt, all the money in the world will not make you happy.