Redefining Wealth with Patrice Washington

Faith Cannot Be Your Financial Crutch

“We don’t have the time to be irresponsible with our finances.”
There’s one thing that truly breaks my heart - and that’s when people use their faith as a crutch.
I’m going to get real with you today, and it may turn you off. That’s ok. Maybe you’re not ready to hear this, but I know a lot of people listening are.
You need to stop relying solely on your beliefs to get you out of your financial problems as if you have no power to do better.
If you dig yourself into a hole, that’s your responsibility - not God’s.
The Lord helps those who help themselves.
I’m not saying God won’t help you at all, but I am saying you can’t expect a pile of money to fall from the sky and suddenly all of your financial burdens will be over.
Right now, I’m reminded of a joke I heard before:
There was a flood, and a woman got caught up in it. As the waters pushed her down a river bank, she was able to grab onto a tree and use all her might to keep from being dragged along.
She prayed to the Lord, “Jesus, please save me. I don’t want to die here today.” She was overwhelmed with a spiritual feeling and knew that Jesus would come save her.
After a few moments a helicopter came and flew up to her.
She told them to go away and said “I don’t need your help. Jesus is going to save me!”
The helicopter left, and eventually the woman lost her strength. The water took her away and she drowned.
When she got up to heaven she sees Jesus, and asked him, “Jesus, why didn’t you save me?”
Jesus looked at her and said, “I sent you a helicopter. What more did you want?”
The point is that if God does send you a miracle, it may be in the form of fellow man. That means you should always seek out guidance and help from others.
Don’t wait until you’re drowning in your finances to seek help. Never be afraid to find a financial advisor.
And if you are starting to drown, grab that help right now.
In the end, it’s only you who can change your financial situation. God gave you the free will to be in charge of your own numbers.
Do you want to make him proud?
On this episode of the Redefining Wealth Podcast, I wanted to dive into the importance of self accountability and your personal finances. So download this episode today to learn how you can stop using your faith as a crutch, and be a better steward of your finances.
“You are the CEO of your life.”
3 Ways You Can Take Control of Your Finances
Know Your Numbers
Accept Help When Needed
Nurture What You Do Know
The Cliff Notes:
People are not always ready to hear certain information.
Faith can be interpreted to glorify being broke.
There is a personal responsibility that comes with personal finance.
Anything used as a temporary, and oftentimes inappropriate support or substitute is a crutch.
Plenty of able bodied people use faith as a financial crutch.
It’s an insult to spend money you don’t have, then pray for your bills to be paid.
You have to know what goes in and what comes out.
Open your Excel sheet, don’t call on the Lord!
Praying doesn’t mean set it and forget it.
Miracles can come from man.
It’s our responsibility to give God something to bless.
Don’t be afraid to sit down with professionals and bare it all.
It’s never too soon to get a financial advisor.
Who do you need on your team right now?
All of the things that you don’t know about money are just stories you’ve told yourself.
Change the way you speak, and it will change your life.
Do NOT let your faith be a crutch.
Give God something to bless.
“Wake up every day with the feeling that you are ready, willing, and able to manage your money.”

Charreah Jackson: Go Hard AND Go Home

“Being willing to give up something good for something great requires trust that something better is always coming”
There’s a common misconception in our society, especially with women, that you have to choose between your work or a relationship.
There are women who report being passed up for a job that required travel because it was assumed that that wouldn’t be appropriate for her marriage. There are other women who despite outperforming their counterparts are axed during mandatory lay-offs because big engagement rings signaled they would be okay.
It’s crazy to think of what we go through as women. This whole ring thing can get complicated. A big ring can earn you respect in the workplace or it can also be your downfall.
My guest today is on a mission to prove that it is possible to overcome these stereotypes. You can do so by treating yourself the way you want to be treated.
Let people know you are a person of power, by respecting yourself. When you respect your time, others will learn to respect it, as well.
And this lesson goes both ways, in both your personal and business life.
Take the time to treat your personal life like a business. Schedule things you love, and block off time for it like you would any business meeting.
Just like you wouldn’t be late for a lunch appointment with a big client, don’t be late for your dinner appointment with your spouse.
This will not only help you achieve harmony in your work and business life, but it’ll make you more productive and present in both.
If you know you can’t work late, you’re going to work harder during the day to make sure you meet all of your deadlines. At the same time, by scheduling time for those around you and treating it like you would a business meeting you’re going to appreciate the time and be more present.
To dive more into this, I interviewed author of the new book Boss Bride (and one of my good girlfriends) Charreah K. Jackson.
Charreach is an international speaker, coach and ESSENCE Senior Editor, empowering the brand's global audience of 13 million. Her informed point-of-view has been featured on CNN, The CW, ABC News, Fortune and TIME.
This is an episode any woman in business NEEDS to listen to, so download it now.
“Life doesn’t have to be ‘either/or.’ Always give yourself the option of ‘AND’.”
The Cliff Notes:
Anyone at any age can be a boss bride.
Make vows for you to be the woman that you want to be.
You are judged based on your relationship status at work.
Life doesn’t have to full of “ORs.” Always give yourself the option of an ‘AND.’
After you go hard, you have to go home.
It’s making informed choices that give you life by looking inside first, then out.
Look for signs you aren’t taking care of yourself with the SOSelfcare signs.
Your personal life won’t take care of itself - you need to plan it out just as much as your business life.
I was tired of giving my leftovers to the things I love most.
Every woman you see who is really powerful, makes sure that her “NO!” and “WHY” are strong.
Our expansion often comes with an exit.
Love is not a passive thing.
You have to treat yourself the way you want others to treat you.
Our dreams live outside of our comfort zone.
“One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to honor how sacred and special your time is.”

Vision Doesn’t Need Validation

“If God gave you the vision, he’ll give you the provision.”
Have you ever had an idea or a dream that you thought was so great, you couldn’t keep it off your mind? Then you went to share it with someone you really care about, and they didn’t see what you see?
Did it crush you? Make you doubt yourself? Stop your vision right in its tracks?
I know you’ve been there. We all have.
But you can’t let other people hold you back from your vision. It’s YOUR vision, not theirs. You can’t expect others to support everything you do.
And you can’t expect to live your life by pleasing others. If I lived my life the way my father saw it, I would be a lawyer right now. Maybe successfully, but I highly doubt fulfilled.
I respect those who do that kind of work, but that’s not me.
Live life for you, because it’s your life.
If you feel like you’re being pulled toward something. If it’s all you can think about, and you feel excited to do it when you wake up in the morning - that’s all you need.
The only confirmation and validation you need comes from within you.
I understand you can’t do it alone, and you will need coaches or mentors to help. So surround yourself with people who do support your vision, but accept that not everyone will.
It’s ok. They have their own vision, and it probably doesn’t align with yours.
On this episode of the Redefining Wealth Podcast, I wanted to dive further into why you don’t need validation from others.
There are plenty of great people who didn’t get validation. In fact, the greatest people often were shot down early on in their careers.
And what made them great is that they didn’t stop. They pushed forward with their vision, because they knew the world needed it despite the naysayers.
So download this episode to learn how you can let go of that need for validation, and chase your purpose with the support of the only person that matters - you.
“People know when they are not capable of going with you to the next level.” - Marshawn Evans
The Cliff Notes:
Validation is for parking, not dreams.
Don’t let other people add fire to your fears.
The responsibility to carry a vision relies on you and you alone.
It’s hard to explain an empire state of mind to someone with an employee state of mind.
You can’t expect everyone to see and cheer on your vision.
If you feel called to do it, your calling is your confirmation.
Some people let their fears get in the way of your dreams.
You can’t expect other people to have the capacity to hold your vision for you.
Most people can barely hold on to their own vision.
If everyone around you had the same vision, there would be too much competition.
When someone disagrees with your vision, thank them for sharing and move on to new resources.
All ideas need some work, so be flexible.
Give yourself permission to let go of any validation you think you needed.
“You can not spend your life trying to fit into someone else’s expectations.”

Debt Will Determine Your Destiny

“Debt will force you to make choices rooted in fear as opposed to faith.”
As many of you know, I have been traveling around the country speaking. My favorite part is using the opportunity to meet and speak to every single person who attends a session with me.
I love hearing what you take away, and what is really important to you.
That’s why I decided to make this episode, continuing last week’s discussion on accountability. Chances are you need to take more accountability about the debt in your life.
Many people have myths about debt that are hindering them from reaching their greatest goals. In the end, these myths are preventing them walking into their destiny.
I want you to understand the role of debt in your life. Really understand how it’s holding you back from fulfilling your true purpose.
When your decisions about where you work, who you work for, where you live, what you eat, and everything else is decided by how much money you have to put towards your debt each month - you’re not really free.
In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Your debt is limiting your ability to choose.
You won’t be able to live the life you want as long as you have debt.
And let me make it clear, all debt is bad. Even debt you are leveraging to own things like a house is still bad because thinking that they’re good will never motivate you to get out of debt.
Download this episode today to hear why you need to handle your debt, and what you can do about it to be able to live your life in choice.
3 Myths About Debt:
Debt is not stopping me from anything.
I have good debt.
Everyone has debt.
“Your Attitude about anything will determine your success with it.”
The Cliff Notes:
When you become your best self, money is a byproduct.
There are many myths about debt.
Don’t let debt stop you from living the life you truly desire.
When you are burdened by debt it takes away your freedom to choose.
Anything you accept as ok, you are going to allow to persist.
A lot of people fill their void by getting more stuff, adding to their debt.
If every decision you make is about paying off debt, you’re chasing money.
There is no such thing as good debt.
It should always be your goal to be debt free so you can have more choices.
Credit scores only matter if you plan on having debt.
Just because everyone has debt, doesn’t mean you need to as well.
“Rationalizing is how we ration out lies.”

Abundance Requires Accountability

“Accountability is the secret sauce for abundance.”
How many times do you find yourself starting a project, but never able to cross the finish line?
Maybe you get 80% of the way there. You can see the finish line, but then you stop. You let other things get in the way.
You’re not alone. Everyone has that problem.
The way you fix that is by having more accountability in your life.
Sometimes you need someone by your side to share your progress with. Someone to give you that push across the finish line.
I’m going to give you a big tip: make sure it’s someone outside of your house.
Your partner is going to be one of the first people to show you sympathy when you don’t feel like doing something.
As much as I love my husband, I know if I rely on him to hold my accountable I won’t get things done. It’s not his fault though, I know just the right face to make to get his pity.
That’s why I have a friend I check in with regularly, Brandi Harvey.
Brandi’s not afraid to push me harder, and she’s not as willing to let me off the hook when I don’t meet my deadlines. And I return the favor.
But not every situation calls for accountability from an outside source. Your actions, your decision, all come from personal accountability.
It’s such an important topic, I felt I needed to five into a full episode on it.
On this episode of Redefining Wealth, I discuss how accountability is the secret sauce to success. Without it no one would get anything done, and it’s what really serves as a moral guideline in this world where people are obsessed with bad behaviors.
Download this episode today and learn how you can use accountability to get the success and wealth you want in every area of your life and truly feel fulfilled
“Clarity is what you need to build your prosperity.”
The Cliff Notes:
Financial mismanagement comes from a lack of fulfillment.
Wealth is about well being.
There will always be something that holds you back from crossing that finish line.
Sometimes it’s because of fear.
Other times it’s because you don’t have accountability.
No one creates long lasting success in a bubble.
We were created for companionship with others.
Create a support system that won’t allow you to get in your own way.
Find an accountability partner that is out of your house.
We have a false upbringing of “Don’t tell other people your business.”
You do need to be accountable to yourself.
Our society indulges in the bad behaviors of others.
How you are feeling today should not change your character.
There is nothing worse than breaking a promise to yourself.
Be accountable to the vision, not the process to get there.
Are you operating with a spirit of accountability to your creator?
We all have a calling to make an impact to the masses.
Are you just studying the principals of your sacred text, or are you practicing them?
Give up the possibility of a better past.
Don’t compromise your integrity to be liked.
You’re childhood is over, don’t subscribe to what you learned then.
“You always represent more than just yourself.”

Ask Patrice Anything: Earn More Money Edition

“There’s only so much coupon cutting and budgeting you can do.”
The last time I took questions from you guys I had such an overwhelming response!
I felt it was hard to choose questions to answer, and I saw a common theme that I wasn’t able to address last time: earning more money.
Cutting coupons and pinching pennies might help a little, but it will never make you a millionaire.
In the amount of time you spend clipping out vouchers just to save $50 you probably could have used your passion and purpose to make $500.
Since I know what it’s like to go from rags to riches multiple times in my life, I wanted to give you some advice from what I’ve learned along the way.
I hand picked some of the best questions about earning more money for this episode, ranging from finding a financial advisor, to starting a podcast, to becoming a speaker and so much more.
Download this episode to learn how you stop budgeting and start earning.
“Don’t be moved by coaches that can only flash material possessions.”
Questions You Asked:
When should I start working with a financial advisor? (4:40)
What is your opinion on virtual mentors? (8:25)
How do I get started doing my own podcast? (13:20)
How can I sell my self published book? (20:05)
What routes can I take to become a speaker? (26:05)
How did you scale your business so you could serve more fully? (29:55)
How do you incorporate self compassion? (35:40)
The Cliff Notes:
Shift your mindset to focus on how you can earn more.
There’s no need to wait on a financial advisor.
It’s important to talk to someone who knows how to help you get to your goals.
You want to find a financial advisor you can have a personal relationship with.
Be willing to work with people virtually.
It’s not realistic to have a mentor you can talk to every day.
Don’t be distracted by a “coach's” fame and material possessions.
For podcasting, quality is the most important thing.
You should, absolutely, have a website even if it’s just a hobby right now.
If you are self publishing, sometimes you just need a new marketing strategy.
Reach out to people and send out samples to people - it’s an investment.
You can’t think of yourself as just an author, you have to think of yourself as a marketer.
Don’t hold back from getting media coaching.
You need to create opportunities to speak.
There’s a difference between your clients and your audience.
Know what you need to say no to so you are clear on what to say yes to.
Self compassion is knowing when your grace has run out.
Recognize your weaknesses and when things aren’t going how you planned.
Be willing to be flexible and know the world will now end.
Be truthful with people - you don’t need to make excuses.
“You don’t need gimmicks and tricks to earn more money.”

Malene Rix: You Get What You Negotiate

“Make it a habit to show the world what you do and what you dream about.” - Malene Rix
Most people have a really hard time negotiating. In fact, a lot of people give up before they even try.
I can understand why, especially if you’re a woman. Our society, sadly, still doesn’t respect and accept a woman negotiating on her own behalf.
There is hope, though! You can make negotiations much easier on yourself and the other party in a few simple ways.
The first way is to show your value every day. That doesn’t mean brag, show off, or be annoying. It just means strategically share and plant the seeds of your results and show your worth on an ongoing basis.
These little success stories will make it easier to negotiate later on, and the person you are negotiating with will be more likely to say “Yes!” with way less convincing.
Secondly, you need to believe in it. Your whole heart needs to be in the fact that you are valuable enough to get what you want and that there is real value in the results you bring.
The energy you create from the excitement about what you are bringing to the table will make a huge impact.
The last thing I’ll discuss here (and if you want a lot more insight, you better download this episode) is that you can’t be afraid of the “No.” Nos will come. It’s apart of the game of negotiation. Accept it, be ready for it, but set your heart in the yes.
To dive deeper into the power of negotiating, and the best ways to get what you want out of the, I have a very special guest: Malene Rix
Melane has worked as a negotiation advisor and trainer for the past 15 years.
She’s based in Copenhagen, Denmark and she’s worked with a huge number of both private and public sector clients ranging from ministries, municipalities, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the EU Commission to global corporations and management associations and unions.
Her focus has been on advising and teaching many different types of professionals, both employees and management.
Download this episode today, because you never know when you’ll have to negotiate next.
“Negotiation is a tool to create change in a better way.” - Malene Rix
The Cliff Notes:
The more you have a personal connection to what you are negotiating for, the more vulnerable you are.
If there wasn’t a no, there wouldn’t be a negotiation. There would just be an agreement.
It’s ok to be worried about negotiating.
Promote your worth on a daily basis.
There’s a price tag associated with your shine.
Make sure you show your results to help plant the seeds.
You have to make it as easy as possible for someone to give you what you want.
Both parties need to get something positive out of a negotiation.
In negotiation, we all have a need to get something.
You need to rediscover who you are.
Start small if you’re not sure about the direction of your reinvention.
You can’t think your way to a better life, you need to go test things.
When you start to change, people will react.
Being valuable in your own eyes will make others see the value in you.
You have to be prepared to fail.
“We need to believe it before we can ask anyone else to believe it.” - Malene Rix

Mikki Taylor: You Can Keep Your Makeover

“Character is your billboard.” - Miki Taylor
This week we’re continuing the You Deserve More series in acknowledgment of Women’s Equal Pay Day. Each year, I lead thousands of women through 20 principles that help them use their God-given gifts to earn more money. (Learn more at iwillearnmore.com)
Today, I see so many people doing things just for the attention.
Women dress the part they think others want to see. They do the make over to try and make everyone else happy.
How many times have you seen Instagram posts of someone getting all dolled up, but they had nowhere to go?
When you really connect with these people, they are empty. They are uncomfortable, and in the end people just walk all over them.
You need to be you.
Be unapologetically you.
Wear the things you want to wear, not what you think you should wear. If you like bright colors, wear it with pride.
Having that confidence to be true to yourself will show the world you respect yourself. Then, when they see that they will show you more respect.
Whether we like it or not, people judge from a first glance. If they look at you as someone who tries to please everyone they know they can walk all over you.
If they look at you and see the only person you are trying to please is yourself, they’ll want to please you as well.
For this episode of the Redefining Wealth Podcast I brought on a truly wonderful expert who knows about proving your value through your actions and your wardrobe: Mikki Taylor.
Mikki is a popular writer, motivational speaker and TV personality. She’s known as the country's leading authority on beauty and style for women-of-color.
She’s also a media veteran for more than three decades. Mikki is Editor-at-Large at ESSENCE Magazine, and the president of Mikki Taylor Enterprises, LLC, a strategic branding, consulting and communications company.
She took the time to discuss powerful knowledge from her new book, Editor in Chic. Be ready for this one, because she throws out so much wisdom you’ll need to listen to this episode multiple times.
Download this episode today to learn how you can stay true to yourself and be treated the way you deserve.
“Why live in the shadow of who you are meant to be when you can be the real thing?” - Miki Taylor
The Cliff Notes:
Stop living the dress rehearsal life.
You have to acknowledge everything you bring to the table.
Address people by their name.
Use manners and say please and thank you.
Technology has changed our language.
How will we teach if we don’t demonstrate our values?
You antenna should go up when you’ve been asked to compromise who you are.
If you don’t own it, you have to practice it.
Real change always stems from within
When people hate on us, it’s a plea for help.
Faith is nothing if it’s not defining your life.
You don’t want to just go through, you want to grow through.
Queens don’t belong on well-being welfare.
You have the choice to treat your body like a temple or a trailer park.
You don’t need anyone to tell you what you need - listen within.
When you don’t take care of yourself, you’re teaching people how to treat you.
Have an unapologetic view of who you are.
Dress to entertain yourself and not the world at large.
“Your life should demonstrate you know who you are.” - Miki Taylor

Luvvie Ajayi: Rock Your Gifts

This week we’re continuing the You Deserve More series in acknowledgment of Women’s Equal Pay Day. Each year, I lead thousands of women through 20 principles that help them use their God-given gifts to earn more money. (Learn more at iwillearnmore.com)
Many of the women I know struggle with the fact that they don’t get the same respect as men. We know that’s true, because we can see it in how we get paid.
When you find out that you are getting paid less for the same thing someone else is doing, it can be a shock. Most people keep quiet. They might be too upset to say anything. They may be afraid that it will tarnish their reputation if they speak up.
The truth is, someone needs to speak up. That someone should be you, because you’re not the only one going through these things.
Standing up for yourself will create a domino effect. When others hear you speak up, it will give them the strength to do the same.
Equality starts with you.
On this episode of Redefining Wealth, I have such a sensational guest who knows all too well the importance of this: Luvvie Ajayi
Luvvie is an award-winning writer and digital strategist who thrives at the intersection of comedy, technology and activism.
A twelve-year blogging veteran, she's the voice behind the respected and hilarious AwesomelyLuvvie.com, where she covers all things pop culture with razor sharp commentary and wit.
Her first book, I’m Judging You, was a New York times bestseller.
She’s also an amazingly powerful, and inspirational, speaker.
She sat down on this episode and shared a time when she was treated unfairly, financially, at a speaking engagement just because she is a black woman. What adds insult to injury is that they reached out to her because of her fame and popularity.
We also discussed the importance of pushing through your fears, and how you can build the best relationships right from the get got.
Hint: You don’t start by selfishly asking for something!
I know this is going to be an interview you take a lot away from. Get your pen and paper ready and then download this episode to learn how you can achieve the success you want and get the equality you deserve!

Doreen Rainey: Face Your Fears

“The big separator of those who win and those who settle is what they do when fear shows up.” - Doreen Rainey
This week, we’re kicking off the You Deserve More series in acknowledgment of Women’s Equal Pay Day. Each year, I lead thousands of women through 20 principles that help them use their God-given gifts to earn more money. (Learn more at iwillearnmore.com)
Talking with people over the years, I have found that the number one thing that holds them back is fear. I’m sure you know that feeling all too well.
You may be afraid of failure. You may be afraid of what people will think of you. You may even be afraid of your own success.
Whatever it is, you’re no alone.
I’m afraid all the time. Every time I start a new project, every time I step on stage to speak, I’m constantly confronted with fear.
And I want to get one thing straight before I continue: fear is not bad. Fear is meant to keep you safe. Fear is meant to protect you. It’s completely natural.
The difference between someone who is successful and someone who isn’t, is simply that a successful person won’t give in to the fear.
When you face your fears, and start that new project it becomes the new norm. The fear will go away in some areas, but you have to face it before it will disappear.
One example of that for me was this podcast. I had so many fears, and one of them was, “What if no one listens to me? What if they find my voice annoying?”
I did it anyway, and this podcast has been so much more successful so much faster than I expected. And you know what else? It’s not scary anymore. In fact, I look forward to it every single week.
To discuss fears further, and exactly how you can get over them, I brought you a very special guest: Doreen Rainey.
Doreen is known for her no-nonsense, direct approach.
She challenges her clients to move past the obstacles and excuses that block their forward motion. Pulling on her extensive education and experience in training and development, communications, personal growth, entrepreneurship and authentic living, she provides the foundation for the courses, programs and events that deliver the blueprint to empower her clients to take action.
As Founder and CEO of the RADICAL Success Institute and the Vice President, Operations, Act Like A Success; A Steve Harvey Company, she is driven by a singular vision: to help people define success for themselves and have the guts to go after it.
Download this episode now and learn how to identify your fears, where they come from, and how you can overcome them to build the wealth you deserve in all areas of life.
“You have to define what you want for yourself and then get the guts to go after it.” - Doreen Rainey
5 Common Fears:
Fear of failure
Fear of success
Fear of rejection
Fear of judgment
Fear of what ifs
The Cliff Notes:
We have to manage our fears.
Fear is non discriminatory.
Success can bring more responsibility and judgment.
Those who are successful are the ones who move forward despite their fears.
Know where your fears are based from.
The worst case scenario of being an entrepreneur is getting a job.
Don’t betray yourself to make others happy.
Go out and do something big, which you already know you’re called to do, you’re just afraid to step out there.
The first step of clarity is to choose what you want to move forward with.
Realize that no one really cares about you.
The first part of being radical is defining success for yourself.
You don’t get what you want, you get what you believe.
Don’t internalize other people’s opinions.
“A confused mind accomplishes nothing.” - Doreen Rainey