If it’s money that’s stressing you out, it’s high time to do something about it. One of the ways to eliminate the stress is to make more money, right? You expected that from me, didn’t you!?! And I know what you’re thinking, “that’s not so easy!”
Wait a minute. If that is what you’re thinking, you need to start with your mindset and examine your relationship to money first. You’ll have a hard time increasing your income with a negative attitude about money.
Stress about money is most often self-inflicted. You’re doing it to yourself. So the first thing you need to do is change your mindset because when you’re more positive about money, it changes the way you manage it. Whether you believe it right now or not, small changes in your thinking can make a big difference in your bank account!
Assess Your Limiting Beliefs
Money is one of those things you probably have strong opinions about. You may be aware of these opinions, or not, but close analysis is a must. Analyze all of the things you believe about money and write them down.
For example, do you believe you have to work hard to ever get rich? Add to that list all of the things your friends, parents and relatives said about money when you were growing up. For example, did you hear your parents or grandparents say money is the root of all evil? (Don’t analyze your thoughts just yet.) Simply write down what you believe and what you heard growing up.
Now, one “belief” at a time, take a look each of your negative thoughts about money. Do you really believe that? Why do you believe it? Why not? What experiences support or disprove that belief?
It may take you several days to work through this list of beliefs. That’s okay. At the end of the list you will have a new belief system about money. Because chances are the things you thought you believed about money aren’t really true. For instance, the biblical verse is actually the love of money is the root of all evil. Contrary to Gordon Gekko’s Greed is Good speech that he gave to the Teldar Paper shareholders in the movie, greed is not good. But money IS good. Not only can it make your life easier, you can do a lot of good through philanthropy once you have more of it.
Affirmations
In other words, positive statements. “Everything I touch turns to gold!” Use affirmations to eliminate any negative thoughts about money. Change your relationship to money. It can take time to change your conversation in your head because it comes from deep within your psyche — but get started in replacing your negative thoughts with positive ones immediately.
When you recognize a negative money thought, replace it with a positive one. Write down the positive one and repeat it several times a day. Becoming conscious of your thoughts about money is the first step. Changing them to positive thoughts is the powerful second step.
Good Habits
Finally, embrace your affirmations and new beliefs to create good money habits. These don’t have to be major life changes. Small changes can make a big difference. For example, start setting aside $25 each week in a savings account. This small step can reap large rewards. Start paying off your credit cards by adding a little more money to each payment. Again, a small step but one that can really make you feel positive about your money.
Conversation
Whether the conversation you have about money is in your head or out loud, keep it positive. When you catch yourself being negative realize that those thoughts are nothing but false beliefs.
Money is a part of life. Changing the way you think about it can change your life. Take a look at your beliefs. Explore your thoughts. Carry on positive conversations with yourself and others. And embrace new habits that make a real difference.
Loral
P.S. The Millionaire Maker’s Guide to Wealth Cycle Investing
is a great reference for building and sustaining life long wealth.