Do you need to flip your money script?

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

Here’s a question for you to chew on…

Does money feel like a limiting factor in your life?

If not, congratulations! You are a member of a small, select group of people who have been able to use money as the tool it’s meant to be – a way to empower living your best life and not as a measuring stick for success.

Now if money does feel like it’s a limiting factor in your life, you’re probably not finding much comfort being in the majority. However, finding yourself in this majority currently does not mean you need to remain here.

You just need to learn how to flip your money script.

Here are three steps to help you flip your money script from something that limits your life to something that empowers you to live your best life.

1) Give yourself permission to stop thinking about money for a minute.

If money occupies the top spot on your pyramid of well-being, it will always be a limiting factor. So for this exercise, give yourself permission to put it aside or at least knock it down a few levels for a moment. I know it’s hard but give it a go.

2) Now think about what matters most to you and your family. Write it down.

Remember, we’re putting money concerns aside for the moment so try your best not to let your current financial situation impact your answers here. This step is about uncovering what you uniquely value, not what’s financially feasible at this moment in time in your life. 

It might take some time to uncover and there’s no right or wrong answers here, just what’s personally important to you. So write down what comes to mind and work on it a bit until you feel comfortable.

3) Using your answers, start aligning your money with what you uniquely value.

Traditional budgeting teaches you to look at what you have available financially and reverse engineer using that money. 

A values-driven approach to money isn’t all that different except you put your values at the top of the pyramid – above your financial resources! – instead. And when you do, that’s when you can really begin to flip your money script. 

Now a decision to spend money isn’t solely based on perceived affordability (i.e.a limiting belief) but it also includes whether that spending aligns with what you value (i.e.an empowering belief).

Turning down a higher paying job that will require you to work more hours isn’t solely about limiting your income potential. It’s about spending more time with your family because that aligns better with your values.

And while looking at your neighbor’s house, car, or latest vacation will always spark a twinge of jealousy because that’s just human nature, you can take solace by returning to the values at the top of your pyramid to provide a quick reminder why you’re not choosing to spend your money the same way.

I hope that this framework helps you see how it’s possible to go from a limiting to empowering view of money in general. But like most things, the best way to understand something is to experience it yourself. And if you’re having trouble making the leap, please know that I’m here and happy to help you.