Beware (Be Aware of) these 5 Unhelpful Money Stories

Have you ever walked behind someone who's smoking and got caught in their second-hand smoke? For most people, it's not a fun experience. Negative beliefs are like second-hand smoke. You might not want them, but somehow you find yourself surrounded by them. (Thanks to Rev James Mellon for this great metaphor!)

There are certain money stories that negatively fill the air around you. How do you make sure not to breathe them in? The first step is to be aware that these negative money stories exist. Sometimes they're so pervasive that people accept them as fact, like people accepting smog as a way of life in Los Angeles or Beijing. The more aware you are, the greater your power to choose what you accept or don't accept in your life.

Here are 5 Unhelpful Money Stories to Beware (Be Aware).

1. You have to work hard for your money.
   This is one of the most common beliefs about money, that you need to produce blood, sweat and tears to make a "hard-earned living." When you believe this money story, then making money equates to struggle. Or if you're not making enough money, then the reasoning goes that you're not working hard enough. When the opportunity becomes available for money to come to you easily and effortlessly, you'll most likely think there's a catch and you might pass on that opportunity.
   
   
2. The only reason to work is to make money.
   Just like the previous money story, work and money often go together hand in hand. "This is just a job" is another way to say this money story. I've worked with a number of clients who've stayed in jobs they hate just because they believed this money story. Working only for the sake of money leaves out the possibility that work can be meaningful or life-affirming.
   
   
3. Once I have a lot of money, then I'll finally feel secure.
   This money story sets the finish line way out of reach. Security is something that you'll have "one day." In the meantime, this money story makes people feel insecure and always comparing themselves to others. Did you know there are some multimillionaires who feel this way? The question to ask in this money story is, When is enough ever enough?
   
   
4. Money isn't really that important to me.
   I've heard this money story from many people who would rather focus on good works or charity. The underlying idea in this money story is that money isn't important in the bigger scheme of life. But let me ask you this. If money were a living, breathing being, how would it feel if you told it that it wasn't really that important? As I teach in the Re-Write Your Money Story program, money listens to what you say about it and responds to you the same way that you treat it.
   
   
5. All I need is a break, like winning the lottery.
   In this money story, life is either all about luck or fate. You're just waiting for that one lucky break where everything will fall into place for you. After that, you get to live life on Easy Street. Here, life is more about what happens to you, by some external phenomenon. You give up your personal power, and you get mad at other people who seem to be doing better than you.

If you noticed yourself in one or more of these stories, congratulations! It means that you're aware that you're carrying a money story. Now the next step to take is to choose whether or not you want to keep that story. Does it serve you, or does it not serve you? If you realize it doesn't serve you, then you have the opportunity to Re-Write Your Money Story.

A few days ago, the doors officially opened for the "Re-Write Your Money Story" program. Re-Write Your Money Story is a transformative four-session one-on-one coaching program to:

• Uncover and release your negative money beliefs and habits.
• Reduce your money stress and anxiety.
• Get clarity on your next steps in improving your money relationship.

Just like the 5 unhelpful money stories above, the program helps you to identify the unhelpful money stories operating in your life and to create new money stories that serve you. In the last round of this program this past Spring, the results were phenomenal.

Timothy Rich, a past participant in this program, had this to say: "This has been a rich experience. I'm re-examining my old beliefs and working my way towards new affirmations about money."

Chris Tompkins, another past participant, claimed that "the value of doing this work has truly been life-changing for me. It's taken my beliefs about money and abundance to a whole new level."

I am offering a very special price that ends on June 30, 2015, and I am limiting this program to six participants. Two of the slots have already been filled, so I encourage you to check it out if you have any interest.

For more details about this program, here's the link:

Re-Write Your Money Story <-- click here

Take a peek and see if this program calls to you. Here's to you claiming and embracing the stories that uplift you and the world.

If you have any comments about these money stories, share a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

Abundant Blessings.

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