Every month I give 10% of the profit from my business to charity. This is not only a moral decision, it’s also a shrewd business decision. In fact, it’s proved to be such a good investment strategy for my business that from 1st January I’m increasing it to 12%.

I originally started giving money to charity because I wanted to do my bit. Then some years ago I decided to formalise this and give 10% of my income each month to charity.

I was amazed that in the few months after I made that decision my income increased dramatically, and I found I appreciated and enjoyed the money I had much more than I’d ever done. I’m not certain of the mechanism, but I think it works a bit like an affirmation: every time I give money in this way I’m saying that I don’t have to worry about money, more will keep coming. Also I know that the more I earn the more other people benefit.

I used to run a workshop for therapists, 'Managing Your Practice for Success', and I told people that one of the most important things I felt they could do was to give some of their money away. Some of the participants at these seminars tried it, and it was good to hear that they had the same experience – the amount they had each month had increased significantly since they had made the decision to give some of it away, and they were finding they were less stressed about financial matters generally.

10% may seem a lot if you have little. As you have more, it also seems a lot in an absolute sense. There’s always a good reason not to do it. Although I know it works, I feel a little resistance each month when I do it, but I also get a great glow of satisfaction.

Try adding this to your strategies for achieving financial freedom.

Jane Thurnell-Read is a writer and researcher on health, stress, alternative medicine, and happiness. Visit her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com for tips and information on how to live a happier, healthier life no matter how busy you are.

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