Cultivating Your Money Mindset

No one ever said the entrepreneurial journey was going to be easy. When we follow our calling and bring our unique brilliance into the world, there’s a price attached to it. And by “price,” I mean a literal price tag.

As entrepreneurs, we’re dealing with money all the time. And money can easily trigger us. We may believe we’re bad at math or bad at investing or saving. Maybe we just need to hustle harder. This isn’t true, of course. But it’s why so many entrepreneurs experience significant stress around money. 

Add to that, that we live in a society that perpetuates this narrative and makes it harder for so many women and other marginalized individuals to even start to believe they’re good with money, let alone that they deserve wealth. It’s no wonder why our beliefs, emotions, and desires around money have such a massive impact on our entrepreneurial journey. 

Embracing your relationship with money is a radical act. One I encourage you to start playing with as soon as possible.

I’m not going to throw fairy dust around here. It’s not easy to release old stories about money and step into a new narrative that isn’t encouraged by our society, particularly if you’re not a cis-hetero white male. Heck, we’re lucky if we can get a dress with pockets in it! (And pockets are for holding money, by the way, which explains why women’s clothing historically lacks them.)

But let me tell you, doing this work is definitely worth every ounce of effort. Mastering your financial wellness takes multiple avenues, and one that many folks overlook is developing a healthy money mindset. It’s the secret sauce that will keep you grounded, motivated, and confident as you navigate your financial journey.

So, grab a journal and let’s dive into some questions to kickstart your money mindset transformation:

1. What Do You Really Think About Money?
   Alright, let’s get real here. Take a moment to dig deep and reflect on what you honestly believe about money. What are those recurring thoughts you have when you think about money? What are those stories your family passed down to you about money? Is there never enough? Does it grow on trees? Is it hard to get or does it flow easily? Acknowledging where you are starting from – honestly starting from – in your beliefs around money is a great place to start unearthing the things that are getting in the way of your financial wellness.

2. How Does It Feel to Have or Make Money?
   Does guilt, fear, or self-doubt creep in? Or are you on cloud nine the minute you see money land in your account? Are you comfortable asking for money or raising your prices? Or does it make you feel skeevy and small to even need to broach the subject? Money is a tool. It’s an agreed upon exchange. And, that’s all it is. If you swap out the word “money” with “apricots” does it feel different? (Yes, imagine asking for 10,000 apricots for your next project vs. $10,000 – makes it a lot easier, doesn’t it?!)

3. What Do You Want Money to Do for You?
   This can be a tricky one that may seem obvious, on the surface. Take a moment to consider what it is you actually want money to do for you and your business. Is it about financial security, personal growth, taking care of your loved ones, or making a difference in the world? How is money connected to your values? If you created a partnership with money, what could you accomplish? By aligning your financial goals with your deepest values and purpose, you can start to see the true value of money.

4. Make Peace With Money
   Money is not the enemy. You are not a failure. What would be possible for you if you were able to forgive yourself of any past mistakes you made with money? You have been doing the best you can with the information you’ve had up until this point. It’s not your fault. Your responsibility, yes. But blame and guilt doesn’t serve anyone. It’s time to let go of any negative thoughts, fears, or resistance about money that may be holding you back and make peace with it.

You are worthy of whatever amount of money you are looking to create in this world. Historically, as women, we’ve been told we can’t have it, it’s not for us. That narrative is done. It’s time to step into the new paradigm and own the beauty of a healthy relationship with money. 

It’s not easy. But you’re here. You’re creating change in your money mindset just by reading this article. Every step you take on this path to healing your money stories (or money wounds) is a step in the right direction. 

Let’s walk on this path together to reclaim this for yourself – and for women all over the world – for our and future generations. 

You’ve got this!

Content provided by Women Belong member Kim Romain