I found myself sobbing on the way to work recently.  Lately I’ve been moving full steam ahead, gobbling up any and every scrap of information I can get, when it comes to changing and growing my finances.  Just about everything I’ve been learning, I have shared with all of you.  Why? Because I know I’m not the only one wanting to grow an emergency fund, kids college fund and life fund in general.  My hope is that we can learn and advance together.  This all sounds great, you say; but why the tears  Kim???  I’m almost embarrassed to type it.  I cried because I realized I  have some really crappy beliefs when it comes to money.  My beliefs (and lack of knowledge) are what created my financial situation.   I know the only real way to make lasting change is to confront my beliefs, which have been dictating  my behavior concerning money.  Hopefully, you are reading this with an open heart and a smidge of compassion.  Here are a few of my old beliefs:

Image By: Christopher Mance
1.  I believed being a teacher is the only way for me to make money.
2.  I believed wanting to be financially well off  makes me less of a Christian.
3.  I believed I will never reach a new upwards level in my savings .
4.  I believed it is harder for people like me .
5.  I believed my past perceptions of money hold me hostage to any new knowledge and it could never change.
6. I believed my past failures are destined to be future outcomes.
7. I believed trying and failing means I should stop wasting my time

These beliefs  have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  The part that made my cry was the realization that I have wasted so much time- I mean decades.  I am now demanding myself to re-think everything I know and  have been taught about money?  I will educate myself and construct a new belief system.  Are you willing to join me? In this blog, I have no easy answers for you or me.  How’s that for honesty!  All I know for sure is, I have some work to do and I will not waste any more of my precious time believing less for myself. We CAN go beyond where we have settled financially. But, we cannot break this glass ceiling until we confront, heal and change our old beliefs. I know that the Jesus who saved my soul can give me courage and the capacity to enlighten my mind concerning money.  Here are a few beginning action steps I am taking to reboot my thinking:

1.  I wrote each one of my beliefs about money in my journal. I left space between each entry so I could write a new belief and what the Bible has to say about each one.
2. I plan to pray about my new beliefs each day and ask for wisdom on how to manage money better.  If we know better, we can do better!
3. I will become repetitive in my actions by: learning and DOING until my life (and language) reflect my new belief system.
4. I am committing  to the process no matter what.   Are you willing to submit to the process. We have to be wary of defaulting back to your old ways of thinking.   What if it takes us 3,5, even 10 years?? (Let’s hope is doesn’t!) Will you see it through till your life changes?
5. I secured an accountability partner. Will you need an accountability partner on this journey?
6. I  read daily.  I go to the library and check out all manner of money related books: from accounting to investing. How will you grow your money mindset?
7. I wrote a detailed plan to grow my income. I later typed it up for easier and mobile reference.  Do you already have a plan you can follow?  We can and will do the hard work! I hope and pray you will join me as we work towards a better financial future.
   *I need your input for a future blog. Do you want me to share my journal notes or would you rather see my financial reading list? Let me know in the comments below so I can provide better support.

Godspeed on your financial journey, and know that I wish you unshakeable faith, wealth beyond measure and laughter ’til it hurts. Yay!!! Unshakable faith t-shirt is now available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QH3GXN3

I thank you for traveling on this journey with me!

Kim J.

Photos and text , all rights reserved.  To use with permission, contact Solomon Jagwe at www.sowl.com