Take a moment and think about what happens when someone who can't swim is suddenly thrown into deep water.

Can you picture it?

They panic and thrash around wildly, consumed by the fear of, “What if I go under and can’t come back up?!” Fueled by adrenaline and desperate to avoid the worst, they claw and pound at the water in a frantic attempt to stay afloat.

But without help, they eventually go under—exhausted and overwhelmed.

It’s a vivid metaphor for anyone who feels like they’ve been tossed into deep financial waters without a life jacket.

Maybe they chose to “abandon ship,” leaving a regular paycheck behind to pursue something more fulfilling. Or maybe they were pushed overboard by unexpected circumstances. Either way, they may find themselves feeling just like that non-swimmer—exposed, unprepared, and surrounded by financial pressures they don’t know how to handle.

And what’s the natural instinct in a moment like that? Panic. Work harder. Flail desperately trying to stay afloat—until they’re worn out and sinking into despair.

But here’s the truth: the same principles that keep a new swimmer afloat physically are the very ones that keep you afloat financially:

1. Take a deep breath,

2. Relax, and

3. Keep your chin up.

That’s how you stay afloat in water. And that’s exactly how you stay afloat in your finances.

Now stop for a second and let this next part really sink in (no pun intended):

Having money does not create peace of mind; it begins with peace of mind.

Just like with swimming, you’ve got to learn how to float before you can really swim—and the same goes for your finances. I truly believe that people who experience lasting abundance don’t have it because life always goes smoothly for them. They’ve simply learned how to float and swim through the rough patches without letting the struggle take them under.

And floating only works when you stay calm. When you’re calm and your chin is up, you float—not just in water, but with your money too. Calmness clears your mind and opens you up to the inspiration you need to solve the problem. But panic cuts off that flow of answers. Don’t block the Source by freaking out.

The cure for fear isn’t courage—
The real cure for fear is knowledge.
When you understand why you can be at peace, it becomes easier to actually feel it. Choosing peace of mind keeps you aligned with the ideas, people, and opportunities that will help you move forward. (Read Hidden Treasures FREE - to find out why this works.) But panic? That’s what pulls you off course.

Whether you chose to leave the boat or got shoved overboard, finding yourself in the water can be terrifying—especially if you never learned how to swim. But both literally and financially, hope and optimism make you more buoyant.

Discover this truth, and you may also realize something else: that when you swim peacefully, you don’t need a boat at all. (Shout-out to all the entrepreneurs out there!)

The effect of optimism on your finances

So… breathe.
Relax.
Keep your chin up.

And trust the current to carry you to the next boat—or better yet, to the next port—on your journey to financial freedom.