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Sacred Success

Sacred Success

A Course in Financial Miracles
by Barbara Stanny 2014 272 pages
4.23
354 ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Financial Well-being is Essential for Women's Greatness

Economic security is the foundation of power.

Foundation for Greatness. Financial stability reduces distractions, allowing women to pursue their Soul's purpose without the burden of debt or financial insecurity. It's not about greed, but about creating a solid base from which to operate. Without financial well-being, it's difficult to focus on higher goals and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Stewardship, not Perfection. Sacred Success requires women to become good stewards of their money, not perfect ones. This involves understanding basic financial principles, managing debt, saving consistently, and making informed investment decisions. It's about developing a healthy respect for money and using it as a tool for empowerment.

Beyond the Bottom Line. Financial well-being is not the ultimate goal, but a means to an end. It provides women with the freedom to make choices, support causes they care about, and create a life of meaning and purpose. It's about using money as a vehicle for positive change and personal fulfillment.

2. Sacred Success Redefines Power for Women

The main task in life is to give birth to our self to become what we actually are.

Authentic Power. Sacred Success redefines power for women, shifting the focus from control and domination to authenticity and self-expression. It's about knowing who you are, what you want, and expressing that in the world, unapologetically. This new paradigm of power is rooted in self-love, self-worth, and self-respect.

Feminine Face of Power. Women often view power differently than men, prioritizing relationships and collaboration over hierarchy and control. Sacred Success embraces this feminine approach, emphasizing "power with" rather than "power over." It's about building alliances, fostering connection, and creating a more equitable and compassionate world.

Breaking Free from Conditioning. For centuries, women have been conditioned to downplay their ambitions and defer to male authority. Sacred Success challenges this conditioning, encouraging women to reclaim their power and pursue their dreams without sacrificing their values or authenticity. It's about rewriting the rules of success and creating a new paradigm of leadership.

3. The Call to Greatness Requires a Shift in Mindset

Be not content with littleness...only in magnitude, which is your home...You do not have to strive for it because you already have it.

Recognizing the Call. The Call to Greatness is a summons from the Soul, urging women to step into their full potential and pursue a life of meaning and purpose. It often manifests as feelings of discontent, restlessness, or a sense that something is missing. Recognizing and responding to this call is the first step on the path to Sacred Success.

Defining Greatness. Greatness is not about fame or fortune, but about aligning your deep gladness with the world's deep hunger. It's about finding the intersection between what you love to do and what the world needs. This requires a shift in mindset from external validation to internal fulfillment.

Overcoming Fear. The Call to Greatness often triggers fear and resistance, as it requires women to step outside their comfort zones and challenge societal expectations. Overcoming this fear requires courage, self-trust, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. It's about choosing faith over fear and trusting that you have everything you need to fulfill your purpose.

4. Receptive Surrender is Key to Unlocking Potential

Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.

Value of the Void. Receptive Surrender involves creating space for self-reflection and allowing the future to unfold at its own pace. It's about relinquishing control and trusting in the wisdom of the Soul. This can be challenging in a culture that values constant activity and productivity.

Healing Gap. Receptive Surrender provides a "healing gap," a time for processing emotions, releasing limiting beliefs, and reconnecting with your inner wisdom. It's about allowing yourself to be still, to listen to your Soul's guidance, and to prepare for the next phase of your journey.

From Doing to Being. Receptive Surrender requires a shift from "doing" to "being." It's about valuing downtime, embracing uncertainty, and trusting that the answers will come in their own time. This can be particularly challenging for women who are accustomed to juggling multiple responsibilities and putting others' needs first.

5. Disciplined Action is Essential for Manifesting Dreams

There is nothing that you cannot do.

From Intention to Action. Disciplined Action is the bridge between intention and manifestation. It involves taking consistent, focused steps towards your goals, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. This requires self-discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to overcome obstacles.

Mental Discipline. Disciplined Action stems from disciplined thinking. It's about cultivating a positive mindset, focusing on your strengths, and reframing challenges as opportunities. This requires conscious effort and a willingness to challenge negative self-talk.

Strategic Focus. Disciplined Action requires strategic thinking, which involves aligning your actions with your values, setting clear priorities, and making informed decisions. It's about focusing your energy on what truly matters and eliminating distractions. This requires a willingness to say "no" to opportunities that don't align with your purpose.

6. The Discipline of Affluence Empowers Women

Nothing you understand is fearful.

Inner Financier. The Discipline of Affluence involves developing a healthy relationship with money and taking control of your financial life. It's about becoming financially knowledgeable, making informed decisions, and using money as a tool for empowerment. This requires a shift in mindset from consumer to wealth builder.

Four Rules of Money. The Discipline of Affluence is guided by four simple rules: spend less, save more, invest wisely, and give generously. These rules provide a framework for building wealth, creating financial security, and using money to make a positive impact.

Investing Wisely. Investing wisely involves understanding basic financial principles, diversifying your portfolio, and seeking professional advice when needed. It's about making informed decisions that align with your risk tolerance and financial goals. This requires a willingness to learn and a commitment to ongoing financial education.

7. Modeling Greatness Inspires Others to Rise

God's voice asks one question only: are you ready yet to help Me save the world?

Ripple Effect. Modeling Greatness involves using your wealth and power to make a positive impact on the world. It's about inspiring others to step into their full potential and create a more equitable and compassionate society. This requires a commitment to service, generosity, and social responsibility.

Leaving a Legacy. Modeling Greatness involves reflecting on the legacy you want to leave behind and aligning your actions with your values. It's about making a difference in the lives of others and creating a lasting impact on the world. This requires a long-term perspective and a commitment to living a life of purpose.

Giving Powerfully. Modeling Greatness involves giving powerfully, which means giving with intention, focus, and a commitment to empowering others. It's about using your resources to support causes you care about and creating positive change in the world. This requires a willingness to be generous, compassionate, and socially responsible.

8. Embracing the Warrior Within Overcomes Obstacles

I live in the quiet calm of certainty.

The Warrior Archetype. The Warrior Archetype represents the inner strength, courage, and determination needed to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. It's about embracing your power, setting boundaries, and standing up for what you believe in. This requires self-trust, resilience, and a willingness to face your fears.

Pollutants to Power. The path to Sacred Success is not always easy. It's often fraught with challenges, setbacks, and self-doubt. Overcoming these obstacles requires recognizing and addressing the "Pollutants to Power," which include perfectionism, impatience, isolation, and guilt.

Antidotes to Pollutants. Each Pollutant has a corresponding antidote: self-trust to combat perfectionism, acceptance to temper impatience, community to overcome isolation, and self-compassion to dissolve guilt. By embracing these antidotes, women can reclaim their power and stay on the path to Sacred Success.

9. Women's Financial Empowerment Can Change the World

When sleeping women wake, mountains move.

Tipping Point. The world has reached a tipping point in women's relationship with power. As more women embrace their financial empowerment and step into their full potential, they are creating a paradigm shift of major proportions. This shift is characterized by a greater emphasis on collaboration, compassion, and social responsibility.

Feminine Principles. Women are infusing feminine principles into our patriarchally lopsided planet, creating a more balanced and equitable society. This involves challenging traditional power structures, promoting inclusivity, and prioritizing the well-being of all.

Global Game-Changers. Women are becoming global game-changers, using their wealth and power to address pressing social and environmental issues. They are investing in women-owned businesses, supporting girls' education, and advocating for policies that promote gender equality. By modeling Greatness, they are inspiring others to join the movement and create a better world for all.

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FAQ

What is "Sacred Success: A Course in Financial Miracles" by Barbara Stanny about?

  • Blending Money and Spirituality: The book explores how financial success and spiritual growth can be integrated, especially for women, to create a more meaningful and empowered life.
  • A New Paradigm for Women: Stanny introduces the concept of "Sacred Success," a process that helps women pursue their soul’s purpose, achieve financial well-being, and wield power authentically.
  • Personal Journey and Research: The author shares her own story of financial crisis and recovery, as well as insights from interviews with high-earning women, to illustrate the path to financial empowerment.
  • Practical and Spiritual Tools: The book combines practical financial advice, psychological insights, and spiritual exercises, drawing heavily from "A Course in Miracles."

Why should I read "Sacred Success" by Barbara Stanny?

  • Empowerment for Women: The book is specifically designed to help women overcome their fears and resistance around money and power, offering a supportive and transformative approach.
  • Holistic Approach: It uniquely blends financial literacy with spiritual and psychological growth, making it more than just a money management guide.
  • Actionable Steps: Readers are given concrete exercises, reflective questions, and a four-stage process to follow, making the journey to financial success accessible and actionable.
  • Inspiration and Community: Through real-life stories and testimonials, the book fosters a sense of community and encouragement for women seeking to step into their greatness.

What are the key takeaways from "Sacred Success: A Course in Financial Miracles"?

  • Financial Well-being is Essential: Achieving greatness requires a solid financial foundation and responsible money management.
  • Power Comes from Within: True power for women is about knowing who you are, what you want, and expressing that unapologetically in the world.
  • Four Stages of Sacred Success: The process includes The Call to Greatness, Receptive Surrender, Disciplined Action, and Modeling Greatness.
  • Integration of Soul and Strategy: Success is not just about profit, but about pursuing your soul’s purpose and making a meaningful impact while being richly rewarded.

How does Barbara Stanny define "Sacred Success" and what makes it different from traditional financial advice?

  • Soul’s Purpose at the Center: Sacred Success is defined as pursuing your soul’s purpose for your own bliss and the benefit of others, while being richly rewarded.
  • Greatness Over Profit: Unlike traditional advice that focuses on wealth accumulation, Sacred Success prioritizes achieving greatness and making a difference.
  • Feminine Face of Power: The approach honors women’s natural inclinations toward collaboration, service, and authenticity, rather than competition and domination.
  • Spiritual and Practical Fusion: The method combines metaphysical principles (inspired by "A Course in Miracles") with practical financial strategies.

What are the Four Core Principles of Wealth and Power in "Sacred Success"?

  • Financial Well-being is Essential to Greatness: You must have economic security to pursue your highest potential.
  • Integrity is Foundational: Your financial foundation is only as strong as your personal integrity—living in alignment with your values and truth.
  • Power Demands Responsibility: You are responsible for your financial life and must stop blaming others or external circumstances.
  • Power Comes from Love or Fear: Your choices are driven by either love (soul) or fear (ego), and recognizing this is key to authentic power.

What are the Four Stages of Sacred Success according to Barbara Stanny?

  • Stage 1 – The Call to Greatness: Recognizing a deep inner urge for more meaning, fulfillment, or impact in your life.
  • Stage 2 – Receptive Surrender: Taking time for reflection, stillness, and emotional healing, allowing new insights and direction to emerge.
  • Stage 3 – Disciplined Action: Taking focused, consistent steps toward your purpose, including financial discipline and strategic thinking.
  • Stage 4 – Modeling Greatness: Using your success and resources to make a difference, leave a legacy, and inspire others.

How does "Sacred Success" address women’s relationship with money, power, and self-worth?

  • Unlearning Limiting Beliefs: The book highlights how women are often socialized to fear or avoid power and money, and provides exercises to challenge these beliefs.
  • Permission to Prosper: Stanny encourages women to give themselves permission to be prosperous and powerful, reframing wealth as a tool for good.
  • Healing Emotional Blocks: Through stories and exercises, the book helps women identify and heal emotional wounds related to money and self-worth.
  • Redefining Power: Power is redefined as the ability to be true to oneself and to use resources for personal and collective benefit.

What practical financial advice does Barbara Stanny offer in "Sacred Success"?

  • Four Rules of Money: Spend less, save more, invest wisely, and give generously—always in this order.
  • Wealth-Building Basics: Understand the five asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, cash, commodities) and the importance of diversification and time in investing.
  • Financial Health Checklist: Regularly assess your net worth, savings, debt, and investment understanding.
  • Work with Professionals: Seek out trustworthy financial advisors, but remain educated and involved in your financial decisions.

How does "Sacred Success" integrate spirituality, especially "A Course in Miracles," into financial empowerment?

  • Miracles as Shifts in Perception: Drawing from "A Course in Miracles," Stanny teaches that miracles are changes in how we see ourselves and our financial challenges.
  • Soul vs. Ego: The book helps readers distinguish between the voice of the soul (love, truth, growth) and the ego (fear, limitation, self-sabotage).
  • Spiritual Practices: Meditation, prayer, and reflective journaling are woven throughout as tools for guidance and healing.
  • Trust in Divine Guidance: Readers are encouraged to invite the Divine (in whatever form they relate to) into their financial lives for deeper meaning and support.

What are some of the most powerful exercises and tools in "Sacred Success"?

  • Do/Be/Have List: Clarifies what you truly want in all areas of life, beyond just money.
  • Receiving Journal: Cultivates the ability to notice, appreciate, and assimilate the gifts and abundance already present.
  • Angry Letter Exercise: Helps release repressed anger and emotional blocks that hinder financial progress.
  • Values Clarification and Prioritization: Ensures your actions and spending align with your deepest values and purpose.

What are the most memorable quotes from "Sacred Success" and what do they mean?

  • “You do not ask too much of life but far too little.” (A Course in Miracles) – Encourages readers to raise their expectations and pursue their true potential.
  • “The main task in life is to give birth to our self to become what we actually are.” (Erich Fromm) – Emphasizes self-actualization as the essence of power and success.
  • “I cannot, I will not, be less than who I am for anybody.” (Charlene White) – A rallying cry for women to stand in their authentic power.
  • “When sleeping women wake, mountains move.” (Chinese proverb) – Highlights the transformative impact of women embracing their power.

What legacy does Barbara Stanny hope readers will create by following "Sacred Success"?

  • Modeling Greatness: Readers are encouraged to use their financial success to inspire and empower others, especially other women.
  • Focused Giving: The book advocates for strategic, values-based philanthropy that leverages your resources for maximum impact.
  • Personal and Collective Healing: By healing their own relationship with money and power, women can help heal families, communities, and the world.
  • Leaving a Lasting Impact: Stanny wants readers to reflect on the legacy they wish to leave, ensuring their life and resources contribute to a better world.

Review Summary

4.23 out of 5
Average of 354 ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Sacred Success receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its empowering message for women seeking financial success. Many appreciate the spiritual approach and practical exercises, though some find it too metaphysical. Readers value the author's personal experiences and insights on overcoming financial challenges. The book is lauded for its accessible writing style and focus on women's unique financial struggles. However, some critics felt it lacked concrete advice and found the author's privileged background off-putting. Overall, it's seen as an inspiring read for women looking to improve their financial mindset.

Your rating:
4.57
52 ratings

About the Author

Barbara Stanny is a renowned financial expert and author specializing in women's financial empowerment. As the daughter of H&R Block's founder, she overcame personal financial setbacks, including her ex-husband gambling away her inheritance. This experience motivated her to take control of her finances and help other women do the same. Barbara Stanny has written several books on financial success and frequently appears on business shows. Her work combines practical financial advice with spiritual and personal development concepts, often drawing from sources like "A Course in Miracles." Stanny's approach emphasizes finding one's purpose and aligning financial goals with personal values.

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