Change is beautiful. It is necessary. It is inevitable. As adults, we have all conquered some form of change. Because that's what we do! We shift, we move, we evolve. And everyday, we are bombarded with affirmations and memes...quotes and cliches that remind us of change's eventuality, it's pain, and ultimately, the triumph of making it to the other side.
But, what about the mental fortitude it takes to sustain while in the midst of transformation?
On our September 9, 2019 radio show, Developing the Mental Strength for Change, Weslia and her guests, Reverend Linda Seatts-Ogletree and Dr. Nyreia Harrington-Wright, discussed and shared the mental and spiritual strength it takes to facilitate effective and long-lasting change in your life. The discussion covered many topics, including relationships and careers...and the one common thread that connects that discussion to this week's financial transformation topic is MINDSET.
"How" you think and "how" you process could be the single-most detrimental aspect of your financial transformation...but TRUST, we are here to help you conquer that! As financial stewards, we not only help you identify ways you may be (unintentionally) sabotaging your financial transformation, we also work with you to develop a different mindset to achieve your financial goals. And it all starts with a solid foundation.
Building a SOLID Financial Foundation*
The strength of a building lies in its foundation. The main purpose of the foundation is to hold the structure above it and keep it upright. A solid foundation is necessary to keep deteriorating elements from seeping in and weakening the structure. The construction of the foundation sustains pressure designed to minimize impairment to the stability of the building.
A strong financial foundation serves the same purpose for your money. It sets up the base for financial wellness where you:
Have control over day-to-day, month-to-month finances
Can absorb a financial shock
Are on track to meet your financial goals
Have the financial freedom to make the choices that allow you to enjoy life**
**Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB),
Financial well-being: The goal of financial education
Everyone has situations where they know what they “should” do but find themselves doing something else instead, especially when it comes to money. When we talk about money, it’s not just about the numbers. It is important to understand what is influencing our attitude, mindset, and relationship with money, or our financial behaviors. When we examine our financial behaviors, we find that they are connected to the early, formative experiences of our lives which can run so deep that it is often difficult to figure out where they came from.
Having an unhealthy mindset, attitude and relationship with money are the underlying reasons for self-defeating and self-damaging financial behaviors. Consequently, we must engage the transformation process of gaining a healthier mindset, attitude, and relationship with money based on Gods’ word to take control of your finances.
It’s imperative to identify and address of mindsets that can threaten the construction of your financial foundation. In sharing these, we hope you think about if and how these mindsets affect your current financial reality.
Money Avoidance
The mindset that money is bad or is equated with negative emotions or painful events
This mindset is the internal dialogue you have with yourself regarding actual money, as well as the surface (or superficial) ideal of wealth. Consider these thought patterns:
Don’t ever forget where you come from
There is virtue in living with less money
Money will change you and corrupt you
Jesus was poor
Money is the root of all evil
Money Worshiping
The mindset that places a disproportionate amount of importance on money, whether it’s earning, saving, or spending. Money is equated to safety, self-worth and or happiness.
This mindset means you don’t want to keep up with the Joneses...you want to BE the Jones. Do any of these sound familiar?
Self-worth equals net-worth
YOLO – You Only Live Once!
There will never be enough!
The bigger the better!
I’ll be happier with more money
I’m grinding for mine/
Hustle harder
Money-Based Relationships
The mindset, and action, of being secretive or dishonest about money, even with loved ones. Emotions and relationships become entangled, whether it be enabling or as a dependency
Generational, money-based relationships is difficult to break because it involves other people, and emotions to a higher degree than other mindsets. (See toxic co-dependency.) And thusly, it’s harder for people to identify within themselves. Here are some statements that may be familiar.
“Take care of your children now and they will take care of you later”
“You can tell how much someone loves you by how much they spend on you”
“One of the ways to keep friends and family close is to give them gifts and loan them money”
I won’t ever be broke because everybody owes me money
I don’t need to learn/ how to manage money
I can make more money on the “system” than I can, going to work
He/she doesn’t have to know about this!
Having an unhealthy mindset, attitude and relationship with money are the underlying reasons for self-defeating and self-damaging financial behaviors. Consequently, we must engage the transformation process of gaining a healthier mindset, attitude, and relationship with money based on Gods’ word to take control of your finances.
*This section contains an adaptation from
“Mind Over Money: Overcoming the Money Disorders
That Threaten Your Financial Health”
As we wrap up this blog, we want to leave you with some thoughts, words, and encouragement from the above-mentioned broadcast. These are applicable to any transformation, whether physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional.
Even the BEST contractor will fail without a blueprint; and he/she must be okay with adjustments along the way.
A FAIL is not a failure. Think of it as First Attempt In Learning, and use the lessons learned as you continue moving forward.
When you have a relationship with God, you always have a backup plan/exit strategy. You can always reset.
We invite you to share your testimony with us and each other via our blogs, our Facebook page, or by calling into our Abundant Living Radio Show each 2nd and 4th Monday at 11am on Motor City Woman Radio. And if you’re ready to begin your financial transformation, schedule a free 30 minute consultation with us today!
Be blessed, and have an amazing week!