When you think about money, what are the first thoughts that come to mind?
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Money disappears fast,” “Money is the root of evil,” or even “Money is not that important”? If those thoughts have ever crossed your mind, you might have limiting beliefs around money.
Your money mindset is the beliefs (oftentimes subconscious) you have about money that determine your relationship with it. Your money mindset can be influenced by your family and your environment growing up, or more recent daily interactions.
The relationship you have with money falls somewhere on the spectrum between scarcity mindset and abundant mindset.
- Scarcity Mindset. If you find yourself feeling stressed about money, believe you’re not good with money, or believe money is for “rich people,” you might have a scarcity mindset. A scarcity mindset causes you to subconsciously believe that money is limited or scarce.
- Abundant Mindset. On the other side of the spectrum, you might have an abundant mindset when it comes to money. If you are generally generous with money and confident that you will always be able to make and receive money, you probably have an abundant money mindset.
With an abundant mindset, you do not fear spending because you know there is enough money, and you feel comfortable money will come in.
Your beliefs about the world shapes your relationship with it. When you realize how much your beliefs around money influence your decisions, you realize that your money mindset can be your most important financial asset.
If you have a scarcity mindset, you might attribute your own self-worth to net worth. You might feel so anxious about your finances that you avoid looking at your budget, which can result in uncontrolled spending. A scarcity mindset might result in living paycheck to paycheck.
But what if you could shift your beliefs, feel in control of your finances, and stop living paycheck to paycheck?
Follow these tips to transform your money mindset
1. Look at your existing beliefs. Sometimes our beliefs around money follow us our entire lives. Starting with this awareness can help you see how different things influence your behavior with money.
- How do you feel about money right now?
- How was money handled at home growing up?
- What was my parents’ relationship with money?
- What beliefs/opinions do I have about rich people?
2. Reframe any negative beliefs to be more positive/abundant. How can you reform your subconscious beliefs and shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset with money?
- Building wealth is possible.
- I am in control of my financial life.
3. Create financial stability for yourself. If you are overwhelmed with debt or living paycheck to paycheck, the most important thing is to create a plan to become financially stable. Have a financial plan so you can meet goals and feel comfortable. Dr. Kimani Norrington had a masterclass on Emergency Money Planning tailored to Black women catch the replay at https://linktr.ee/healercassandra
- Look at your current income and spending.
- Decide where you may be able to cut costs and contribute extra to your debt.
- Create a budget! Having a budget can give you freedom too (by improving the way you manage money).
- Cut emotional spending. Make a plan to prevent yourself from spending when you’re stressed or sad,
4. Stay in your lane. Let go of any resentment because others have a lot of money. Focus on your journey rather than everyone else’s. Learn how to find happiness in the present with what you have.
5. Adopt a gratitude mindset. Study after study shows that grateful people are more likely to take care of themselves and make healthier choices.
- Celebrate every time money comes into your life!
- Do a gratitude practice at least once per day. (Gratitude journal available at https://rstyle.me/+v4eUkenYyvDep8F0UJ5doQ
- Acknowledge the things in your life you have, like shelter, water, and even the Internet.
Wrap-Up
Remember that money mindset has nothing to do with the amount of money you earn or have. And money isn’t evil!
You are in control of your financial life, and you deserve wealth and happiness!
