How to Get a Financial Make-Over with a Mirror
When you look into the mirror, you see a reflection of yourself.
From the reflection, you may also see the dreams you have along with your struggles to make them come true.
Often times, the struggles that many have are about money. You may not see money as a means for power and control. However, if you are like most female entrepreneurs out there, you are keen to hold money as an expression of your ability to assert financial independence and an attainment of personal fulfillment.
It is certainly true for me.
Money is the result of doing the work that I love. I recognize money as a means of exchange. Yet, when I look into the mirror, I can also see the emotional journey that comes from traveling as an entrepreneur and the many lessons I had learned about money and worthiness.
As someone offering coaching and healing services, my journey had started with the following yo-yo conversation….
I shouldn’t charge. I should charge more. I should charge less.
When I first began running my business, I have had problems negotiating for what I deserved. I started by offering my services for free. Eventually, I knew that I had to do things differently because I’ve got bills to pay and a business to run. Still, I had a difficult time valuing my worth. Eventually, I realised that I could not ignore the lessons that my money mirror had shown up for me. In fact, I had to learn to overcome them so that my business could thrive.
Money Blindness from Holding on to Limiting Beliefs
What I have noticed is that many women prefer to adopt money blindness. They avoid looking at their accounts. A number of my female friends tend to leave all money decisions that affect the family to their husbands. Well this wouldn’t do, especially if you are intending to run a successful business. It is imperative to get comfortable in working with numbers.
A chat with Deborah revealed that she would rather prioritise other matters like going out for shopping or watching korean dramas over attending a class on how to manage her funds. When I dug deeper, I found out that she has the belief that “women are bad with money”. She perceives herself too stupid and slow to learn about creating spreadsheets.
Over tea, Deborah declared to me that she would never be as “brainy” or astute as her husband and hence, she might as well not bother to try to learn anything so complicated. Alas! I feel that a little financial education in her case could go a long way. In fact, it will do lots to boost her self-esteem.
The problem is that she is “dead sure” that she is right about being stupid and slow. Stuck in the stories she tell herself, she is not ready for change. Indeed, I have discovered that change can only happen when one gives herself the permission to let go of what no longer serves her.
For a long time, I have had the same belief of “women being bad with money” myself too. I was unaware that it was holding me back financially. A major breakthrough I had arose from attending a workshop that involved self-reflection via playing money-themed games.
Money Makeover Lessons I Had to Learn
During the workshop, participants were randomly assigned into teams and I found myself in a group comprising of guys. Because I thought that guys ought to know better in a game that required strategy and logical thinking, I agreed to adopt their answer for a team submission. Well, as it turned out, I was wrong to make that assumption.
We would have won, if I had convinced the guys in my team to follow my thought process that would have led to a different (but more accurate) answer. Admittedly, I was in the trap of believing that the guys would be better with strategy and money because they had introduced themselves as business owners overseeing operations.
My big “aha” was that I could be just as good with analysis and making clear decisions. Women could be just as good as the men. After gaining clarity, I took action. I proceeded to invest even more into improving my financial life. My new affirmation is that I have the resourcefulness to gain financial well-being. (Check this list on 30 positive affirmations for female entrepreneurs that I use).
Going on a transformational journey led me to where I am today — the ability to ask for a fair price for the service I provide, the ability to wade through financial discussions with my husband calmly and to make better investment calls. These happened only when I was willing to look into the mirror, acknowledged what my belief blocks were and took the necessary steps to overcome them. It wasn’t easy…but it is worth it!
Having had a number of breakthroughs, I now draw from my experience to assist aspiring women entrepreneurs who are struggling to become financially empowered due to their limiting beliefs. It is great to observe the transformation of those I had helped. They did not just improve their relationship with money but also strengthened the relationship they have with their spouse. I love to remind them that they have become better role models to their children and are also able to create a legacy for them.
Get a Financial Make-Over from the Inside-Out
It will help if you are willing to face your fears courageously. And this includes facing fears about looking at finances. In fact, it is even more of a priority if you are a mom and have kids depending on you.
Hence, instead of neglecting or adopting money blindness, commit to creating financial well-being through taking an active interest, removing money blocks, having healthy discussions with your spouse on money matters that relate to the family, and/or exploring investment opportunities, amongst others.
Very importantly, with self-reflection, find out if there is anything in the way that prevents you from improving your finances. Work through any emotional or mental blocks. You will need to overcome these to achieve the dream of running a business that will support your family.
It’s never too late to get started with improving your financial situation. Here are 3 ways to begin right away!
1. Take a class or attend a seminar.
Check around for a class or workshop that can help you kickstart your learning journey. There are both online and offline workshops that you can consider. Personally, I like taking a combination of both physical and virtual classes that reinforce the topic I wish to learn.
2. Read books
Here are some well-loved books available on Amazon…
- Think and Grow Rich for Women: Using Your Power to Create Success and Significance
- Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams by David Bach
- Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money that the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! by Robert Kiyosaki
3. Find a mentor or coach.
Find someone who can help you work through your challenges. Consult a coach to help you overcome your limiting beliefs and blocks. He or she can also help you get moving towards your goals and keep you accountable.
Finally, in any make-over, you come out looking radiant. What you are likely to discover is that you radiate even more when the makeover is from the inside-out. You have unrooted the limiting beliefs that once held you back; thus, allowing the shine to come through.
As you let go of self-sabotage, you become a lot more confident and empowered to handle all of life. You are also free to create and manifest what you desire. A rise in your vibrational state also enables you to attract positive outcomes that are of the same frequency. Magic happens as your life — including your financial and business life — becomes set to improve!