Writing in a journal can be a great way to uncover hidden beliefs.
One of the best ways to uncover your hidden money beliefs is by writing in a journal.
If you aren't where you want to be with your money, chances are that the problem is either underearning or overspending. On either side, this behavior is usually fueled by something you believe that no longer serves you.
Perhaps you believe that money is the root of all evil. If you were taught this, you likely have a deep aversion to money, and you may not even realize what is driving your behavior. You might take a job offer with negotiating pay, as you don't want the employer to think all you care about is money (pro tip – the employer never brings the best offer in the first offer. They expect you to negotiate, and so they've brought the offer down artificially low so they can negotiate up. Don't take the first offer.).
You might find yourself in a situation where you are earning money, but you have to get rid of it as quickly as possible to avoid feeling icky. You might overspend to get rid of the money that way. You might loan money to friends and family members that you know are terrible with money, and then harbor anger and resentment when (surprise surprise) you don't get paid back.
The worst part is that you may well be completely unaware as to what is driving your behavior. It may seem to you like you just never have enough. You'll need to look within and understand what those money scripts say if you want to have any chance of changing them. If you don't, they will stay lodged in your subconscious, and you will act them out regardless as to whether or not they conflict with what your conscious mind believes you want.
So how can we uncover those beliefs? Well, you could have a money conversation with a friend or with a coach. But if you want to work on your own, a journal can be a great tool to help you have a conversation with yourself.
If you can, making journaling a daily habit is a great self-development tool. But it's tricky – everyone has an idea for the best daily habits you need to be a success. After your Ultimate Power Morning Habits (one hour), hour of meditation, and hour of writing in a journal, and hour of exercise, it's not time to start the day, it's time for lunch! So if you can't figure out how to do this on a daily basis, rest assured that even a one-off session can be helpful.
Here are some prompts to get you started:
What did I pick up from my family about money when I was a kid?
Was there ever an emotionally charged incident around money – perhaps a fight between parents about spending?
Did I ever have any formal financial education around money either at home or in school?
See what comes up for you as you write out your answers. You may uncover a belief that has served you and that you want to continue moving forward (perhaps you grew up in a family who talked about the importance of saving?). You might find a belief that got you to where you are, but that you will have to let go of to move forward. And you may find something that does nothing but hold you back. Those are the beliefs you'll need to address to get where you want to go.
Recent Comments