How to Fix Your Relationship With Money (Part 1)
dan masden
What comes up for you when you think about "money"? Is it a trigger for you??
Do you feel like you don't have enough of it? How do you feel when you think about other people who do seem to have it? What emotions come up for you just by reading these words?
You don't have to look far beyond the recent election cycle to see our crazy money beliefs play out on a national stage. Many Americans operate with a belief the economy is "rigged" against them, causing feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. Conversely, some of the richest Americans are outraged, claiming they are unfairly punished with high taxes and fighting to hold onto what they believe is rightfully theirs.
Even the word "wealth" can be a trigger in and of itself.
But what if wealth had absolutely nothing to do with what you have in the bank and everything to do with how you relate to what's in the bank? After all, 75% of the planet lives off of less than $2 per day and many people in underdeveloped countries still find a way to feel abundance in their life.
Here's a truth bomb. This topic has been the biggest hangup for me in my entrepreneurial journey. Walking away from a steady six-figure corporate job to start my own business triggered every lack- based fear lurking in my subconscious.
However, as I've done some deep work around my own money issues, I'd like to share with you what I've learned in an effort to serve you and help you live a more abundant life starting today. I believe when we build a positive relationship with money, massive opportunities begin to open before our eyes. So let's dig in!
What is money?
At the most basic level, it's just some s**t we made up.
Seriously. It's not a tangible, natural resource like water or oxygen. Human beings invented money as an energetic currency to trade value for value.
My accountant provides enormous value to me, helping me understand the tax code and making sure my books are in line. I value that advice so much that I pay good money for her services. However, she works long hours during tax season and might not feel like cooking dinner each night. So she goes out to pick up some carry out that's been prepared for her. This saves her time and provides enormous value, so she pays accordingly. Perhaps the owner of the restaurant will find his or herself in need of mentoring and come full circle to pay me for coaching. Money is simply an energetic exchange we make for things of value.
But what's interesting is how money can unfortunately become intermingled with how we value ourselves.
This was my biggest personal growth hurdle over the last year. I used to make six-figures in the corporate job I hated and in my first year of entrepreneurship I made far less. This provided fuel for my inner critic, which is always looking for reasons to make me feel small. That voice in my head would start speaking loudly as I looked at my bank statements, telling me I'm "not doing well enough." I began to confuse my net-worth with self-worth...and that is a slippery slope which ultimately slowed the growth of my business during the first year.
As much as I am embarrassed to admit it, I went into panic mode as I tried to prove to myself and my friends that my new venture was successful. So subconsciously, each new consultation call and speaking engagement was more focused on closing new business than actually showing up to serve. As a result, I was unknowingly repelling new clients away because my energy was completely incongruent with the message I so passionately believed in.
What really created a positive shift in my business was getting back to why I chose this path to begin with. Of course I wanted the freedom to create my own schedule and not work "for the man." However, my ultimate goal was, and still is, to make a massive impact in the world by helping people connect to their purpose and experience the deep, lasting fulfillment which comes when we reconnect to who we really are.
You may have noticed lately I've been pushing out more free content than ever. I'm emailing newsletters more often, hosting free monthly webinars, and doing Facebook live sessions on the regular, without any expectations of the outcome. My focus has been solely on creating value for anyone who is searching for answers. And what's interesting is the Universe is responding accordingly and sending me new clients who are benefitting from my coaching.
And so it is in your life. If your goal is to make more money, all you have to do is figure out how to provide more value. Your income is a direct reflection of the value you are providing in the world. If you are unhappy with your present level of compensation, ask these questions:
Does the work I'm doing truly represent the best of me?
Do I have a unique gift or skill that I have been holding back and not giving? Could this skill provide value to others?
What's the worst thing that could happen if I found a way to start giving this gift in a bigger way?
Now you might be saying to yourself "Dan, I'm already working above and beyond for my employer and not making anywhere near the money I deserve."
If that's the case, perhaps it's time that you start valuing yourself more. You can either set better boundaries and stop overgiving to your office or start searching for a company that will pay you according to the value you provide.
This topic is so complicated, I couldn't possibly cover it all in one blog. But in the next blog, I will walk you through a process to help examine the root of your limiting beliefs around finances.
In the meantime, I have two spots open on my schedule this week if you would like to schedule a FREE, 25-minute, Money Mindset Breakthrough coaching call. During this complimentary session, you and I will:
Set new financial goals for 2017
Uncover the limiting beliefs that are subtly sabotaging your finances.
Create your next grounded action step to get you out of overwhelm and on a path to abundance
.
Only two spots are open. Click here to claim yours!