What does money mean to you?
The meaning we've attached to money may be influencing our decisions more than we realize.
Over the last few weeks, I've shared some of the unconscious beliefs I've uncovered this year.
Money equals safety.
Financial independence equals being safe.
My worth is tied to my income.
As I shared those stories, one question kept coming up:
How do these beliefs actually affect our ability to create more money?
I don't believe a limiting belief magically repels money. I think something much more practical is happening.
Our beliefs create emotional states. Those emotional states influence our behavior. And our repeated behaviors create our financial results.
Let me show you what I mean.
If your worth is tied to your income, what happens when you have a slow month?
Most people don't simply think, "This was a slow month. What can I learn?"
Instead, it feels personal. It feels like failure. It feels like, "Maybe I'm not good enough."
When shame enters the picture, we don't make our best decisions. We avoid looking at our numbers. We procrastinate. We undercharge because we're afraid people will say no. We say yes to the wrong clients. We hustle harder instead of making thoughtful decisions.
The limiting belief isn't blocking abundance. The emotional state it creates is leading to behaviors that make abundance harder to create.
The same thing happens when we believe money equals safety.
Imagine two business owners who both miss their income goal by $20,000.
The first person thinks, "That's disappointing."
The second person thinks, "I'm not safe."
Same numbers. Completely different experience.
When your nervous system believes you're unsafe, it shifts into protection mode. It becomes much harder to think creatively, notice opportunities, build relationships, or make calm, strategic decisions. Your energy goes toward surviving instead of creating.
We create from the state we're living in.
When we're operating from fear, we tend to make fearful decisions. When we're operating from scarcity, we notice more scarcity. When we're grounded and open, we notice opportunities that were there all along.
This doesn't mean we ignore reality or pretend everything is okay. It doesn't mean we stop budgeting. Trust me, I'm never giving up my budget.
It means we stop making the numbers mean something about who we are.
When I missed my income goal in June, I still took action. I adjusted my plan, made sure the bills would get paid, and kept moving.
I didn't make the income miss mean I was failing.
I didn't make it mean I wasn't safe.
I handled the situation instead of letting the situation define me.
I've come to believe that abundance isn't about thinking positive thoughts.
It's about removing the emotional weight we've attached to money.
Because when money no longer has to prove that we're safe, worthy, successful, or enough, we become available.
Available to receive.
Available to create.
Available to see opportunities instead of threats.
Available to make decisions from confidence instead of fear.
So here's what I'd love for you to think about this week:
What meaning have you attached to money?
And how might that meaning be influencing the decisions you're making today?
WTF, Money?! 8 Day Live Money Upgrade starts in 6 days!
If you want to change your money situation but keep finding yourself avoiding it, procrastinating, getting overwhelmed or wondering why you can't just DO the things, this is for you. I'll be live with you every day for 8 days, helping you understand what's actually keeping you stuck and giving you small, doable actions to start changing it. And for the final three days, we'll go even deeper with live 1:1 coaching on your specific money struggles. This is not another money freebie you'll download and never use. It's an 8-Day Money Upgrade designed to help you understand the why behind your money behaviors so you can finally start moving forward. August 24–September 2 | $26 | All sessions recorded.
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!