Cultivating a Sense of Entitlement

In a recent interview with a successful actress who grew up in a wealthy family, the journalist complained about her 'sense of entitlement', which she (the journalist) interpreted as arrogant and unjustified. This is not the first time a successful person has been accused of having such a sense of entitlement, and it is invariably seen as a bad thing. I believe that not only is it not a negative trait, but that a strong and healthy sense of entitlement is essential for anyone who desires wealth and other forms of success.

A person with such a mindset typically expects to receive what they want quickly and easily, often with minimal effort on their part. They expect the best in life, and refuse to tolerate less. They have a strong sense of their own worth and refuse to pay too much attention to the opinions of others. Sometimes this can manifest as arrogant behaviour, which is understandably irritating to others, but a sense of entitlement need not involve arrogance, or putting others down in any way.

Anyone who wishes to achieve significant wealth or other success in life needs to generate a strong sense of being entitled to that wealth and success, if that is not part of their mindset already. This is because law of attraction will inevitably bring you what you expect in life. It's usually easier for those who grew up surrounded by wealth and success to expect it and allow it in their own lives, but anyone can cultivate this mindset, regardless of their background.

Because you - and everyone else - are an aspect of what some call God. You are Source energy in a physical body - a child of the universe. As such, you are worthy of anything you desire. The universe is limitlessly abundant. Some people are born into physical wealth, and have something of a head start, but everyone is heir to the abundance that is already present in what Abraham calls 'vibrational escrow'. Every time you've desired something, it has been given, instantly. Now all you have to do is align with it vibrational level, and it will manifest physically. You are thus entitled to claim the wealth and other good things that are waiting for you in your vibrational escrow, just as the heir to a pre-existing physical fortune is entitled to claim it. You don't have to prove worthiness, or work hard for years on end first. It's yours now, if you're willling to do the work of aligning your energy. But you must feel worthy first. You must feel that you're entitled to it.

If you've always believed that money and other good stuff must be 'earned' in some way, or have suffered from low self-esteem or general feelings of unworthiness, you might not find that a sense of entitlement comes naturally. However, such limiting beliefs are just habits of thought, and with practice, you can change them for more empowering beliefs. Here are some points to consider:

• If you have a history of feeling 'unworthy' for whatever reason, be aware that these feelings are not based in fact. Just because you grew up with a particular set of disempowering beliefs about yourself, it doesn't mean you have to continue with them into adulthood. Try making a list of empowering beliefs to replace you old ones, and practice them until you actually start to 'believe your new beliefs'! If you find yourself feeling stuck in your old patterns, EFT can be a good way of releasing any negativity or resistance that comes up.

• Be aware that hard work and success are not necessarily linked. If you believe they are, just take a look around at people in the public eye, and maybe in your own personal experience, who have an abundance of money and/or other forms of success, but who seem to have done very little to 'deserve' it. They attracted that into their lives because they felt entitled, and while society at large, with its ingrained work ethic mentality, might not approve of such people, they have the mindset that most easily creates an enjoyable, successful life - and that mindset is easy to emualte, with a little practice!

• There are probably areas in your own life where you allow success more easily than in others. For example, do you have great relationships or great health, but ropey finances, or vice versa? Chances are, you have a different set of beliefs and feelings around the areas where success comes easily, and feel that (for whatever reason), success is natural for you. Or maybe you just haven't built up a set of resistant beliefs in that area. Try to isolate the feelings associated with your existing successes and apply them to the more resistant areas.

• Be aware that you may encounter resistance from others when you boost your sense of entitlement. Many people, especially if they're not very successful themselves, don't like to see others succeed, especially if you appear not to be struggling enough on the way! You must be secure enough in your own sense of entitlement that these attitudes don't bother you.

• Don't confuse having a sense of entitlement with arrogance, or other unpleasant attitudes or behaviour. Some people resist cultivating this mindset because they don't want to empower themselves at the expense of others. But accepting the joy and success that is your birthright doesn't mean that you're trying to elevate yourself over others. Everyone is entitled to all the good life has to ooffer, and your having it doesn't need to impact on or deprive anyone else.

Above all - keep practising. It can take time to move beyond old habits, including thought habits, but feeling fully entitled to a life of wealth, joy and ease is essential if you're ever to actually live it. And it's surprisingly easy to change your thought patterns if you know absolutely that the change is a good thing and you're willing to be consistent in your efforts.