Each of us is always headed somewhere. Whether it is by our choosing, because of the influence of others, or by habit or happenstance—the pathway of our life ultimately takes us to a destination.
One of the influences that affects the direction of our lives is our belief system. Our beliefs influence what we choose to do or not to do. When we believe that professional football is the best sport, we will set aside Sunday afternoons to watch games on TV. When we believe that our grandchildren are wonderful, we will schedule our lives around their activities. When we believe that travel adds value to our lives, we will save money for our next vacation.
Sometimes, though, we don’t review or consider the beliefs influencing the paths we find ourselves on. We may find ourselves at a destination and wonder how we got there. Sometimes, this destination turns out to be a place we didn’t intend to “visit.” This can happen when our beliefs are left unexamined.
Beliefs and Finances
This reality can be true in our financial life. No matter the balance in your checking account, your spending or saving habits, or your monthly income—your beliefs about money influence your financial path.
When we have “limiting beliefs” about money, our financial pathway may lead us toward inaction financially, to have a scarcity mindset, or to cause us to be fearful.
When we have thoughts like…
- “I’ll never be able to afford ________________.”
- “How is everyone else able to travel each summer?”
- “Saving a little bit over time won’t make a difference in the future.”
- “Starting to save later rather than sooner doesn’t really matter.”
- “When I have more money, I’ll begin giving it away.”
If the beliefs behind these statements aren’t identified, we may be limiting our financial lives, and consequently, our financial pathway may lead to an undesirable financial destination.
Conversely, when we have “empowering beliefs” about money, these beliefs guide our steps to a better financial destination. Consider these empowering beliefs about money.
- “I can learn from my money mistakes.”
- “Money is simply a tool. I am to be a responsible manager of it.”
- “I have the ability to write the next chapter in my money story.”
Words that explain empowering financial beliefs are grace, growth, decision, action, and generosity.
The Next Chapter
So, what pathway do you currently find yourself financially on? What money chapter do you find yourself in? Did you get there based on a limiting or an empowering belief? What changes in your beliefs would help you arrive at your next best financial destination?
Each of us is headed somewhere financially. Let’s make the decision to consciously decide the beliefs that will help us arrive at our desired destination. Often, the best way to begin that endeavor is to sit down and name the things most important to you in this life. Then, with that list in hand, ask yourself if your spending plan, your savings plan, and your giving plan adequately reflect the things most important to you.