Need money now? 7 ways to change the game

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Laura Simms, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

Overheard last week:

“I really want to do such and such, but money is my issue.”

“Money is my issue.” Can you relate?

I can’t.
I can’t afford it.
I can’t do that.
I can’t buy that.
I can’t have that.

Well, that sucks. That’s a lot of can’t.

But here’s the good news:

Money is your issue only as long as you decide that money is your issue.

Without changing the numbers in your bank account, your money situation can change. Because more important than the actual numbers is the way you think about the numbers.

Your thoughts dictate your experience of the world around you. Again. Your thoughts dictate your experience.

If you are experiencing “money issues,” your thoughts about money are misaligned. Personally, I’ve felt miserable about money when the account was fat, and carefree when it was low. It’s not about the numbers; it’s about the thoughts.

How can you shift your money thoughts?

1. Realize it’s just money. Money is so charged for people, but it’s just like anything else. It’s a tool, a kind of energy, a resource. Have you ever heard someone say, “I really want to do such and such, but relationships are my issue. But enthusiasm is my issue. But spoons are my issue.” Ridiculous, right? Money. Let it be just like other stuff. Take out the charge.

2. Take responsibility. Ouch. I don’t mean that in an annoying parental way. But when you take ownership of your finances, you take your power back. If you feel you’re in a bad money situation, know that you have the ability to make things better. Ask for help, explore resources, take action. You do have the power to change your money situation.

3. Decide you have enough. Right now, this moment. Do you have enough? If you can read these words, chances are you have more than enough. You have an abundance of money, time, and many other resources. You have what you need. See if you can get comfortable knowing you have enough. Accepting this in your bones can change your life.

4. Get intimate with your money. Quit hiding from it and avoiding it. Know how much you have, where it comes from, and where you send it off. Look at your accounts. Set up a free account at mint.com and you can see your money in all kinds of graphs and charts. Get to know it.

5. Make it a game. Where can you save? How can you reach a fun goal? Where can you spend out? Play with your money.

6. Change your money language. “I can’t afford it” becomes “I choose not to spend my money on that.” Because you do have choice around your money. No more can’t, yes to choice.

7. Put out the welcome mat for money. Money doesn’t come to doubting, needy minds. Money, like everything else, likes ease. Make it easy for money to show up.

Improving your relationship with money is not an overnight thing. It takes time for new ideas and habits to settle in. The thoughts that tell you “money is an issue” are not the ones what will give you freedom and power around money. Be persistent. Challenge those old thoughts again and again.

How will you start to nurture your relationship with money?