Whether we realize it or not, we all do the things we do around business and money because of our money mindset. Everybody has a money mindset made up of the beliefs, attitudes and sometimes even myths we’ve come to buy into over the years. This stuff lies beneath the surface and it isn’t at all obvious if you’re not sure what to look for so today I’m going to help you with that.
Everyone has money blocks that comes from beliefs about money that we picked up at an early age. They look like this:
I can’t charge for this because I love doing it.
Making money is hard but my work comes easy to me so I can’t charge much for it.
I can’t make more money than my mom/dad. That would be disrespectful and awkward.
Money doesn’t grow on trees.
I want to invest in that program/course/coach but I’m not worth that kind of money.
My competitor only charges this much so I can only charge that much.
I’m not comfortable making more money than my partner so I’ll keep my prices low.
Rich people are greedy and I don’t want to be greedy so I can’t be rich.
I love my work so much I’d do it for free so I feel bad charging for it.
I should just be happy to be making any money at all so I can’t set big goals for myself.
I’m not in it for the money so I shouldn’t focus on how much money I make.
All I do is take photos/plan weddings/make floral arrangements/etc, I can’t justify earning more than someone who does “real” work.
My clients would never pay that much.
Sound familiar?
This stuff sounds like it’s not a big deal but it is a big deal when it impacts how you behave. For instance, if you believe that you should just be happy to be making any money, you’re never going to set goals for yourself and you’re never going to raise your prices to achieve them. There is nothing wrong with earning money for providing value. That’s pretty much the definition of business!
So now that you know that these seemingly harmless beliefs creep into your behavior and keep you stuck, what can you do about it?
Step 1: Identify Your Money Blocks
The first step here is awareness so we’re going to draw out your money blocks so that you can identify them and see them for what they are. Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Ask yourself these questions and write down everything that comes to mind. Take your brain and dump it out onto your paper to answer these 3 questions:
1. What thoughts do I have about making more money & my ability to do so?
2. I’m going to raise my prices by 200% tomorrow. How does that feel?
3. What is the most I believe I can make from my work? Why can’t I make more than that?
There are going to be some things you’ll notice. Did the idea of raising your prices make your heart pound? Why did that make you uncomfortable? Be sure to write down WHY because that’s important. It might be that you don’t think anyone would pay that, or that you feel guilty charging more because you love it and you “shouldn’t” charge more for work you love doing. Be honest with yourself here because it’s really important that you know why you feel this way.
Step 2: Challenge Your Money Blocks
The next time something triggers one of the money blocks you’ve identified I want you to challenge it. In fact, you could challenge the blocks right now that you’ve identified. In order to challenge your money blocks, ask yourself why you believe this. Where did it come from?
Then ask yourself, “Do you have any actual evidence of this being true?”.
For example, if I believed my clients wouldn’t pay more but I haven’t actually raised my prices to test that hypothesis, I don’t have any evidence. If I had raised your prices and found that clients wouldn’t pay more I would look to see who I’m attracting and if I’m selling the right way. A $20,000 car is sold very differently than a $120,000 car. Don’t just assume it’s the price, it may be how you’re approaching the sales process and that can be adjusted and improved.
You can use this to identify other hangups you’re facing. Recently I did this to figure out why I was not willing to make time for myself to exercise. I figured out that I was telling myself that instead of exercising, I could be working and that is much better. Since then, I’ve switched my way of thinking about exercising. Now, I think of it as work because it makes me more productive and if I’m not healthy, how can I expect my business to be healthy?
I learned everything I know about money blocks, and worked through my own money blocks with Denise Duffield-Thomas of www.luckybitch.com.
Let’s be honest, when you run a business all of your hangups and inner crap about money and sales and worth come out and Denise is a godsend because she helps awesome entrepreneurs with that money stuff and discomfort around charging (and charging more!) for your work.
My girl Denise has a special free resource for you – a 30 minute money audio class where she takes you through 7 common money blocks (like bartering or undercharging) and helps you clear it right then with scripts of exactly what to say and do.
Click here to get immediate access here to the money block class (it’s free)!
She also has an amazing Money Bootcamp (which I’m a proud affiliate of and highly recommend) – it’s a fantastic resource for all female entrepreneurs who want to be successful. There are men in it as well but there seem to be more women than men that struggle with money mindset. We women second guess and undercharge way too often!
Every time I raise my prices or set a price on a new program my money blocks come up and I start to think I shouldn’t do it or I’m not worth it or some other BS. If that happens to you, know that you’re not alone. When that does happen to me, I turn to Denise. I know that she’s going to tell it like it is and get me out of my funk.
Don’t let your money blocks hold your back. Take just 15-30 minutes today to do the 2 steps I’ve laid out in this post and you’ll be well on your way to making progress in your business and your life without succumbing to your limiting money blocks.
With a better money mindset comes a better business so don’t put this off. That’s right, I’ve giving your homework to do
Leave a comment and let me know what came up for you when you identify your money blocks! And don’t forget pick up Denise’s free training on this!