You're taking action. So why aren't the dreams happening?

There's another piece of the puzzle that most of us never think about.

Last week, I shared how I realized I had attached my safety to financial independence.

That one belief had been quietly running my life for years.

It also raises a really important question.

Why do these unconscious beliefs have so much power over our lives?

Why would believing something about money actually affect our ability to create more of it?

I've been asking myself these questions a lot this year.

The answer I've landed on is surprisingly simple.

Your nervous system is always trying to keep you safe.

Not successful.

Not wealthy.

Not fulfilled.

Safe.

The interesting part is that your nervous system doesn't know the difference between what is actually safe and what is simply familiar.

If you've spent your whole life believing money equals safety, then not having enough money will always feel threatening.

If you believe making more money means more stress, more responsibility, or more pressure, your nervous system will resist creating more of it.

If you believe wealthy people are selfish, you'll probably never feel comfortable becoming one.

If you believe your worth is tied to your income, every slow month will feel like a judgment of who you are instead of just one month.

None of this happens consciously.

That's why we call them unconscious patterns.

We think we're making logical decisions, but so often we're simply trying to avoid uncomfortable feelings.

I've seen this with clients over and over again.

Someone says they want to save money, but spending helps them feel better after a hard day.

Someone wants to earn more, but they're terrified they'll have less time with their family.

Someone wants to invest, but growing up they watched their parents lose everything.

The behavior isn't the problem.

The behavior makes perfect sense once you understand the belief underneath it.

That's why I don't believe money is just about spreadsheets and budgets.

Those tools matter. They are incredibly important.

But if the emotional meaning attached to money never changes, eventually the old patterns come back.

This year I've been doing the deepest work I've ever done on myself.

Not because I think mindset replaces action.

It doesn't.

I still build my budget.

I still market my business.

I still make sales calls.

I still do the work.

But now I'm also paying attention to the stories my nervous system is telling me along the way.

Because every time I uncover one that is no longer true, I create a little more space.

A little more ease.

A little more freedom.

Maybe that's what abundance really is.

Not forcing.

Not hustling harder.

Not waiting until everything feels perfect.

But slowly releasing the beliefs that tell us we aren't safe to receive everything that's already trying to make its way to us.

So here's something to think about this week.

If the life you want already existed...

What about it wouldn't feel safe?

The answer to that question might have far more to do with your future than your budget ever will.

Exciting Announcement!

I'm launching an 8-Day Money Upgrade designed to help you understand why you feel so stuck with money and, more importantly, start getting unstuck.

Because another budget, podcast, checklist or freebie telling you what to do isn't the answer when you can't get yourself to actually do it. We're going underneath the money to look at the shame, overwhelm, nervous system and patterns that may be keeping you exactly where you are.

WTF, Money?!: The 8-Day Money Upgrade starts August 24. We'll meet live each day, you'll take small actions along the way, and the final three days will include live 1:1 coaching.

8 days. $26. Let's figure out WTF is going on with you and your money.

Disclaimer: I am an educator, not your personal financial advisor. Please make sure to do your own research before moving forward with any actions discussed in this blog post. 

Know that all investments involve some form of risk and there is no guarantee that you will be successful in making, saving, or investing money; nor is there any guarantee that you won't experience any loss when investing. Always remember to make smart decisions and do your own research!