Recently, I had the opportunity to interview the author of Secrets of Six-Figure Women, Barbara Stanny, who is on a mission to inspire women to become financially empowered. Based on her extensive experience, Barbara helps financial, insurance and coaching professionals to break through their mental barriers, take charge of their lives and gain a better understanding of their relationship with money.

Women earned 76 cents for every dollar that men did in 2012, moving no closer to narrowing a gender pay gap that has barely budged in almost a decade. But what you may not know is that, quietly and steadily, the number of women making six figures or more is rapidly increasing. And these women come from every industry – psychologists, dot-com founders, consultants, freelance writers, and even part-timers in finance careers.

What makes these particular women able to do so well in the workplace? That is exactly what Barbara is going to teach us.

Here are some highlights from the interview with Barbara Stanny:

What are the certain characteristics of high-earning women that you have found?

The characteristics I found are a bit surprising. It wasn’t the economy. It wasn’t the kind of job you have. It wasn’t anything to do with anything external. It was their internal processes and their external courage that enabled them to become high-earners.

It wasn’t so much about what women did; it was how they thought about money. Upping your earnings, becoming smarter about money is a process that involves the outer work of wealth, which is knowing how to negotiate and find the right job, and the inner work, which is getting in touch with your attitude, beliefs and decisions you made about yourself and your money that is holding you back.

Concentrate on your value and on what you can bring to work. Your worth is a reflection of your self-esteem.

You need to let go of the ledge. Women who are under-earners became high-earners when they were willing to let go of what wasn’t working such as a relationship, a job, a geographical location, or an attitude or belief they had about themselves.

Go out of your comfort zone. Do what you think you can’t do or don’t want to do because success in anything is always found just outside our comfort zone. The number one requirement to the next level of earning is the willingness to be uncomfortable, the willingness to go where you don’t want to go. You can say yes to that which scares you, that’s where the journey starts.

What are the four rules of money?

1. Spend Less – Don’t spend more than you earn.

2. Save More – It is important that at least a portion of every dollar you earn goes to a savings account.

3. Invest Wisely – The biggest risk we face as women is we outlive our money. Some of our money needs to be in assets that grow.

4. Give generously – When you get to this step, you will be able to generously give without jeopardizing yourself or your family.

“If you don’t deal with your money, your money will deal with you.”

Three Steps to Get Smarter About Money:

1. Read about money.

2. Every week, talk about money.

3. Every month, save.

Thanks so much, Barbara!