Money is one of the most far reaching, influential factors in our lives. It can be the cause of a lot of stress and anxiety, or it can be a source of security and peace of mind. A lot of our financial mindset is determined by our upbringing and our past experiences. If we’ve had bad experiences with money in the past, it can be tough to overcome those negative thoughts and behaviors.
For every ten people in a room there are ten different approaches to money. Many of the differences are what we would call blockages. Blockages occur when we have a negative experience imprinted on our minds that keep us from making healthy decisions.
However, it is possible to overcome a destructive financial mindset and its unhealthy actions. It takes time, effort, and a lot of self-reflection, but it is possible.
Here are a few steps that can help you on your journey to financial success:
1. Acknowledge your money blocks.
Hal Elrod said, “Self-awareness is the first step in creating what you want and mastering your life. Where you focus your attention, your emotions, reactions, personality and behavior determine where you go in life.”
In Proverbs 28:13, we read, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
The first step is acknowledging your sins (negative thoughts and behaviors concerning money). This can be a difficult thing to do, but it’s an essential step in changing your mindset.
2. Understand where your money blocks come from.
Once you’ve acknowledged your money blocks, it’s essential to understand where they come from. This thought is expressed by the writer of Lamentations in chapter 3 verse forty, “Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord.” What experiences in your past have influenced your current way of using money? Why do you think and feel the way you do about money?
The key is to not be mastered by the misuse of money due to the poison of a bad mindset. P.T. Barnum said, “Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.”
3. Set some financial goals.
It is important to set some financial goals to work towards. This can give you something to focus on and help you stay motivated. Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable and be specific about what you want to achieve. The motivational coach Tony Robbins, says “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” The Apostle Paul states it this way in Philippians 3:14, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
4. Create a budget.
If you’re like me, the first time (and second and third) that someone mentioned budget, you think of being restricted and not having any fun. To help me overcome this blockage I decided to call my budget a spending plan. That way, all of my spending is planned, and I am no longer in a free-for-all mindset regarding money.
There are many great ways to think about budgets. John Maxwell states, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” While Warren Buffett says, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” The main thing to know about a budget is that using a budget shows wisdom and demonstrates diligence. The wisdom found in proverbs 27:23 reads, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.”
