This is post #8 from the 30 Day Personal Finance Challenge: Boost Your Financial Health with a Daily Tip!

Ever since I consciously decided to pursue financial independence, I knew I needed to first work on my mindset. Before anything becomes reality, it is first born in our minds. That’s why it’s so important to look deeper and evaluate our thought patterns.

Thoughts -> Feelings -> Actions -> Habits -> Results

We carry around these limiting beliefs without even knowing. These are messages we picked up either from our parents or from society. We adopted them at an early age and we never question them. They influence everything we do.

Do your thoughts and beliefs empower you to live an abundant and free life?

I have a challenge for you! Consciously observe your thoughts about money for a week! What do you think about? What stories do you tell? What do you regret? Be especially observant on any occasion when you feel hopeless, victimized or as if there’s nothing to be done.

Thoughts to be aware of:

1. Money doesn’t grow on trees
2. Money can’t buy happiness/love/health
3. Money is the root of all evil
4. Money is no fun, it’s too complicated, bills are boring
5. Money is there to be spend
6. Money is a limited resource
7. I wish I had started long time ago, it’s too late now
8. I can’t afford it
9. I wish I had the money to do this
10. I am under-qualified/too old/too young/not ready for this job/business/opportunity
11. I am stuck in this job/business/career
12. I don’t deserve it because I am not good enough
13. I have to make compromises to my integrity/health/relationships, etc. to earn exceptionally well
14. I have to be satisfied with roof over my head and the food on my table
15. I am not good with numbers/money
16. I can’t save or build wealth if I have small children
17. If I want to have enough money, this makes me greedy/selfish/bad person
18. If only my parents had taught me how to make money
19. If only I had gone to college
20. If only my boss could see my full potential
21. If only someone gave me a chance/discovered me
22. It’s just money. It’s not important anyways
23. My secure but boring job is the only option I have
24. No one will care about the products I make
25. The rich people are rich because they get the poor people’s money
26. They are filthy rich
27. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer
28. The economy is too weak at the moment
29. My friends/neighbors/family will hate me if I make more money than they do
30. For women: The only chance to be rich is to marry rich

You get bonus points if you ask a friend to help you. Their job is to report back to you what they hear you say about money. You will be surprised with what you will discover.

It’s very helpful to carry a small notebook and write your findings down. At the end of the week, have some quiet time with yourself and evaluate your money mindset.

One last tip: Sometimes reading a financial book or listening to a podcast can unlock some hidden jams in you. I described in a previous post how the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth book helped me discover some of my false beliefs.

So, what are your stories?