What is one action you will take today that shows you're committed to this mindset?
By having read and worked through each of these 5 steps, you will have begun the process of shifting your relationship with money and ultimately achieving greater financial success. Congratulations on taking the plunge!
The key to success in any relationship is a willingness to work at it, grow in our awareness and become empowered in our choices - this is also true in our relationship with money. You can begin to transform your relationship with money by following these 5 powerful steps -The 5 Steps to Money MAGIC.
MONEY MYTHS: The first step is to become aware of the money myths that are floating around in your mind. What do I believe about money? What do I believe about people with money? What did my parents teach me about money? What were some of the messages about money when I was growing up? These are all important questions to explore in understanding your history with money, back to your earliest memory about it. Your money myths have been created by your money story i.e. your experience and influences around money that have created your beliefs about it. Once you've done this, ask yourself "Is this really what I believe?".
AWARENESS: As you begin to explore questions about your beliefs about money, your awareness will grow. Ask yourself "How does this belief about money impact how I am with money today?" For example, you may have grown up in a family that saw money as a status symbol, or that somehow there was a pecking order according to the size of a person's bank account. To drive a nice car had more to do with power and position than it did with necessity. As you explore these messages, you will begin to understand and become aware of your underlying belief patterns and behaviours around money. More importantly, you will become aware of how those patterns are influencing your life today both personally and financially.
What are you becoming aware of?
GRATITUDE AND GIVE AWAYS: Gratitude plays a big part in the magic. What would it be like to stop striving for more and more and begin to notice all that you have? Often we are so caught up in the pursuit of more, we forget to notice and decide what is enough. Who said that more is always better? Make a list of all the things you are grateful for. Begin to spend more time in a place of gratitude and your life will change. All those powerful positive messages and experiences with money? Be grateful to those people in your life that have had a significant impact on you. All those negative or distorted messages? Give them back to their origin and let it go.
INVENTORY: We are often so focused on our financial assets contributing to our net worth, but what about all of those non-financial assets? Do an accounting of all of your assets, financial and non-financial - things like experience, credentials, your unique qualities, things that you're good at. Separate your net worth from your self-worth, and watch your assets grow and your relationship with money begin to shift.
CHOOSE: Once you have identified your beliefs about money, and understand their impact on your financial decisions and relationship with money, you can begin to be more mindful by choosing the beliefs and behaviours that serve in the achievement of your financial goals.. Choose your mindset. You'll begin to feel more empowered in your choices and in control of your money. You always are in control of your choices; choose gratitude over scarcity and you'll change your relationship with money. Choose beliefs about money that are positive and serving and trust in your self-worth to grow and sustain your net-worth.
Ever wonder what it would be like to feel in control and at peace when it comes to money? Magic, right? Often, immediately what comes to mind for most people is a response, something like "I need to have a lot of money before I can feel in control and at peace when it comes to dealing with it". While abundance does bring a momentary sense of peace - as does a good relationship with our financial advisors -a healthy relationship with money itself is key to feeling in control and at peace with what you have, regardless of the amount.
