Something to
Contemplate:
Your
Relationship to Money
The First
Step in Financial Planning
1. Let
money help you become who you want to be.
Don’t salivate over material
goods. Be inspired by what money can
help you become. Save your money for your deepest values and highest commitment.
Redirect money toward higher purposes.
Ask yourself:
Who
do I want to become?
How
do I envision using my money to make
my legacy a reality?
Focus on
creating an echo across eternity by wisely using your financial resources.
2. Increase
your meaning, not your means.
Some are financially rich but
physically, emotionally and spiritually broke.
Ask yourself:
Would an improvement in finances
lead to an
even more meaningful life for me?
As I look at my life, what brings me
meaning?
Dig deep and
figured out how you will leave the world a better place.
3. Cultivate
purposeful living to better handle financial setbacks.
It is easier to shrug off life
problems when you are in love, yes?
Losing money and your quality of life are similarly linked. The greater the quality of your life, one
with clarity and integrity, the more able you are to take monetary loss in
stride. Losses are kept in perspective. Conversely, if your life is of poor
quality or you are not living authentically or in alignment with your purpose,
losing money is more traumatic.
Ask yourself:
If I suffer a major financial
setback, what
personal attributes would I draw from to help
me weather the storm?
4. Release attachment.
Animals reach in and grab treats
in a container and then get trapped because they can’t or won’t unclench their
fists. Young children learn quickly that cookies held in a fist stay in the cookie
jar. Adults learn the same lessons with money.
Ask yourself:
If
I loosen my grip will money will flow?
How
would I describe my philosophy toward
money?
Is
money tangible that you hold onto for dear
life or is it more like a river
flowing in and
out of my life with ease?
5.
Appreciate what
you have instead of suffering over what you want.
When you are in a sincere state of
gratitude, you attract more of what you appreciate. Conversely, to focus on what you DON’T want
only draws more of that!
Ask yourself:
What
do I value most in life?
Is
there anything truly important that I still
lack?