Financial Mindfulness: Awareness, Power, Change

The 3 Keys to Money Mindfulness

“If you’re not powerful with your money you’re not powerful, period.” Suze Orman

True or False – The #1 source of stress for 80% of Americans is money? True. Some parts of the country have been hit harder than others, including the Central Valley of Ca. Many of us here us know people, or have experienced ourselves – job loss, salary cuts, bankruptcy, or the loss of our home.

It’s also true that Money is the last taboo. How we deal or not with $$ breaks up marriages, ruins family connections, and causes much unnecessary pain. But, it’s a subject that can lead to great personal and professional growth, if we’re willing to plunge in, educate and empower ourselves to make small steady changes.

3 Keys to Creating Money Mindfulness:

1) Raise Your Money Consciousness by assessing where you’re at: Here are a few questions to get you started and no need to judge yourself – which is one reason $$ is such a difficult subject.

• Can you talk about $$ with your partner? If not what’s uncomfortable? 
• What’s your greatest fear about $$?
• Are you making the $$ you really want? 
• Are you in charge of your $$ or is it in charge of you?
• Have you ever taken a financial education workshop? 

2) Finish Your Unfinished $$ Business:
When I was a young girl I asked my dad something about my parents finances and he told me it was, “None of your blankety, blank business.” That told me money was a scary subject and better left unaddressed.

So much of our relationship with money is unconscious and what we don’t know can hurt us.

Think about and journal about these:

• What’s your earliest memory around money?*
• Which parent does your behavior with money most resemble?*
• If there was one thing you could change in your relationship with $$ what would it be?

3) Expand Your Financial Comfort Zone

Did you know that most of us stay within a “financial neighborhood that makes us feel safest and at home?” (Mind Over Money – Klontz)

To move beyond your $$ comfort zone you have to know how to Re-set your $$ Speedometer and be willing to be uncomfortable.

I hope this article has created curiosity about your relationship with money. One last note: If you’ve had financial trauma as a result of the economy, please be kind to yourself. Much of what’s happened hasn’t been the fault of the individual investor, but of abusive practices by financial institutions. Educate yourself about what’s really gone on, take responsibility for your part and regroup. I’m here for you. If you have any questions feel free to email me atlynntelfordsahl@gmail.com with Money Question in subject.

*(from Deborah Price’s Money Coaching Institute)