Hi everyone,
I know you probably clicked on this because you either want to make more money, spend more money (without freaking out about it), do more good with money or just be at more peace with money. You have probably heard that money is a tool. Well let me tell you, it is more than a tool; it is an opportunity for you to learn more about yourself and how you can transform yourself from the inside-out. That my friends, is priceless.
Money has been coming up a lot lately in my life. With my clients, at my full-time job and with me. Everybody is handling money differently in their lives and putting a different meaning behind the money. Some have an abundance of money and might neglect their money as a result, some are using it to indulge and enjoy life experiences without intention, some are using to satisfy themselves when they get emotional, some are always in lack of it and using the lack as a barrier to hide behind their true power and some people just don’t even want to think about it and instead, just default to running on auto-pilot.
One thing holds constant, and that is people are avoiding looking at their money and managing it. It’s so much easier to leave money on the table, to not invest it wisely or in other words, simply not manage it. Why? We can tell ourselves we don’t know how or it’s too much work. We can tell ourselves that if we try, it won’t work out any way.
What is your money story?
If there is something here you are avoiding, it can boil down to one or more of these reasons:
- I’m not worth it – I’m lucky that I even have some money and the money I have, I had to work damn hard for while others don’t need to break a sweat and have so much more than I do. For people like me, it’s all about labour. The harder I work, the more I earn because I am not just very skilled at it.
- I need comfort – money is a way to comfort my soul. When I feel hurt or can’t seem to address the hurt, it is easier to spend it on food, clothes, experiences, whatever…that make me feel indulgent and taken care of. It doesn’t matter if I spend it all or even in debt, what matters most is that I take care of myself in this painful moment.
- It’s too difficult – I’m doing pretty well. I might not be in love with my life but I’m in a good place so what is the point of managing my money. It’s too painful and too hard and I don’t think it will pay off any way…I’m sure with time I can find a way to make more money so I don’t want to bother managing it.
- Let me prove myself – With money, I can show people how well I have done in this world. The more I earn, the better status symbols I can buy. I can give more back to the world and tell everyone what good I have done. Yet somehow, I never feel like I have done well enough so I need to keep on proving how great I am.
- I live for others – I don’t really know what I want…so I say yes to everyone else and what they want me to do, how they want me to spend my money. In fact, I make money for the sole purpose of making others happy. I don’t even know what it feels like to have a full cup because it’s about filling others’ cups. If I take care of myself, that would make me feel guilty and selfish.
Transforming Your Money Story
There is likely something that happened in your past that tripped you up about money. Managing money, like everything else is a learned behavior. Perhaps your family fought about money or maybe you had so much that it seemed to flow effortlessly in your life and you never knew how to manage and invest it. Worth is a common feeling we attach to money. Deep down, if we don’t feel like we are worth it, we self-sabotage ourselves into having less or we might overcompensate and earn more money for the reason that we don’t feel we are good enough and have to prove otherwise. The reality is that if we are pivoting from a disempowering place, it doesn’t matter how much we end up with, we still end up disempowered.
I grew up with not that much wealth and I was a saver. I was frugal and resourceful. That got me to a good place where I always had cash reserves but is also left me always feeling like there was a lack and limited supply. This would cause me to miss out on certain experiences because saving was more important. I transformed that by learning new money skills and believing in a more empowering story. I learned how to invest my dollars and invest in myself (education, health, experiences..etc). I learned how to give back to live a more meaningful live and that giving back was creating more abundance in the world and within myself.
Money isn’t necessary an easy or fun topic for all so I’m going to offer you three simple steps to transform your money story.
Now It’s Your Turn
Step 1: Write down the money story from your childhood around money
Step 2: Write down how that is limiting you today
Step 3: Write down what new possibility you can create with money that stems from your personal power
*BONUS STEP: download a money tracker app where you can record your income and real-time expenses. Each time you make a purchase, log it. See where your money is going and if you are saving money or putting yourself in debt. Be aware so you can change your habits for the better whether that means you end up spending more or less. Also be aware of how much money you are making. Can you make more?
I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please post in the comments below! I would love to support you any way I can!
Now, go save, earn, give and invest some money in a way like you have never before! You can do this!
Love,
Leanne
