Avoiding Your Money Because it Doesn’t Feel Good? It’s Your Money Mindset
Your Money Mindset influences every financial decision you make. It's your instinctual reactions, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions about money that show up daily—whether you're aware of it or not. The fascinating (and slightly terrifying) truth? Most of these beliefs were formed by age seven.
Think about that for a moment. The way you handle money today might be based on what you observed as a child watching your parents navigate their financial world. Did they stress about bills? Celebrate financial wins? Work incredibly hard just to get by? All of these experiences shaped the financial operating system you're running today.
The Power of Money Beliefs
The average person carries 50 to 200 money beliefs. Here are some common ones that might resonate:
"More money gives me more choices"
"Making money is hard"
"Money amplifies who I already am"
"I'll never be able to retire"
"Too much money makes someone unethical"
Some of these beliefs serve your future self beautifully. Others? They're keeping you stuck in financial patterns that no longer work for you.
Four Exercises to Evolve Your Money Mindset
The beautiful thing about your money mindset is that it can evolve. Here are four powerful exercises to help transform your relationship with money:
1. Uncover Your Money Beliefs
Set a timer for 15 minutes and write out as many money beliefs as you can think of. Don't edit yourself—just let them flow. You might be surprised what emerges when you give yourself permission to explore.
Once your timer goes off, review your list:
Star the beliefs that serve future you - the ones helping you become who you want to be financially
Cross out the ones you want to release - beliefs that keep you stuck or paralyzed
2. Remember the Good Times
Our brains are wired to remember negative experiences to keep us safe. While this served our ancestors well (remembering which berries were poisonous), it doesn't serve our financial growth. When negative money memories dominate, we start believing we're "bad with money."
Combat this by actively remembering times you were a total badass with money:
When did you crush a financial goal?
Have you ever paid off debt or made a smart investment?
Did you negotiate a raise or find a great deal?
Are you showing up to learn about money right now?
That last one counts! Taking action to improve your financial knowledge is absolutely being a badass with money.
3. Turn Financial Fails into Money Lessons
Instead of viewing past financial mistakes as evidence that you're "bad with money," reframe them as valuable learning experiences. You're not the same person you were when you made that mistake—you have more knowledge, more experience, more wisdom.
Consider: What would you do differently now? What systems could you put in place to prevent similar issues? How can you treat this as practice for future financial decisions?
Remember, sometimes you have to pay the "learner's tax" and move on. It's not a reflection of your worth—it's tuition for your financial education.
4. Build Your Financial A-Team
You are not a self-made person—you're community-made. Everything great you've accomplished has involved other people, and your financial journey should be no different.
Your financial A-team should include five types of people:
Specialists (financial advisors, CPAs, etc.)
Connectors (people who introduce you to opportunities)
Mentors and mentees (those who guide you and those you guide)
Financial friends (peers on similar journeys)
Change makers (people who inspire and motivate you)
Your Money Mindset Commitment
Money mindset work isn't a one-and-done activity—it's an ongoing practice. Which of these four exercises resonates most with you right now?
Choose one and commit to trying it this week. Your future self will thank you for taking this important step toward financial confidence and wealth building.
Remember: At its core, money is choice. With every dollar, you're making a choice to save it, spend it, invest it, or donate it. As you transform your money mindset, you'll find yourself making choices that truly align with your values and goals—and that's where real wealth begins.
