Dear Community,
When I was 12 years old, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I was torn: Solid Gold Dancer … or Business Woman? (Ha!)
Nothing could be better, I thought, than wearing outrageous, golden outfits and expressing myself through dance. But I also loved the idea of calling my own shots and making my own money.
A decade later, I added a third profession to the list: Psychotherapist. I loved diving deeply into the waters of emotion and meaning.
Solid Gold Dancer. Business Woman. Psychotherapist.
I’m so grateful I’m able to satisfy all of these aspects of myself. But it took a lot of work and challenging decisions to get here.
Here’s the thing: when you’re multi-faceted, it can be tough to make crystal-clear decisions (And we’re all multi-faceted.)
Navigating your parts can be difficult in any situation. But when you throw something as primal and complex as money into the mix … it can be downright paralyzing. So …
How do you make a fabulous + clear-headed + emotionally authentic money decision?
People ask me this all the time. See, most of us were never taught how to make a great money decision.
I know this is “up” for many of you right now, as you decide whether joining my year-long money school, The Art of Money 2018, is right for you.
{Psssst … we start on February 1st, in 2 days!}
Not only are you trying to make a good money decision … you’re also facing the confusing question:
How on earth do I decide whether to spend money … on my relationship with money??
Weird, right? This money decision might trigger some of the very money patterns / shame / confusion you’re hoping to heal and outgrow, in The Art of Money!
Deep breath. Here’s help.
If you want to join the Art of Money, but you’re on the fence — worried you can’t afford it, feeling you don’t deserve this investment in your self-care, or trying to convince your inner Solid Gold Dancer that there’s room for her here — here’s what I have to say to you, dear friend:
How astute and thoughtful of you! I applaud you for weighing your money decision carefully. I want to help you make an empowered, confident, and honest decision. Today and always. Whether that means you join us for The Art of Money 2018 journey or not.
There are 5 main factors I recommend considering when facing any money decision. If you’re debating joining The Art of Money, this will help you get all the clarity you need. But it’s also an ultra-helpful, universal framework for any money decision you’re grappling with. Let’s walk through them together.
1. The Numbers.
This is the most practical, cut-and-dried factor to consider.
Do you have enough money right now to make this purchase?
Simply reading that question might bring up some fear for you. You might not actually know how much money is in your bank account right now, or how much you’re earning, spending, and saving each month.
You might be terrified to even *peek* at your numbers — this is way more common than you might think! And it’s a huge, paralyzing roadblock between you and a clear money decision.
Believe it or not, people “go unconscious” about money regardless of how much or how little they earn. Yep! This pattern cuts right across the spectrum of income and socio-economic status.
See, this actually isn’t about the numbers. It’s about your relationship to them.
Plus, “having enough money” is a pretty subjective issue.
Some people who are just making ends meet or living on a tight budget may choose to do whatever it takes to invest in something really important to them. (More on how to decide what’s “important” in a bit).
On the other hand, people who have more than enough money to satisfy all of their needs and desires might still feel enormous pressure around making money decisions.
So … what’s your relationship with your numbers?
If you really want to join The Art of Money but aren’t sure if you can swing it, you might brainstorm ways to create an extra $88/month in your life. You might cut out a few lattes here, skip a movie there, or make a little extra cash on the side — it might be easier than you think!
And if you have no idea what your numbers are, and are afraid to even look at them, consider this: The Art of Money 2018 will gently teach you how to do just that.
2. The Timing.
Is NOW the right time for you to make this investment in yourself?
In our Art of Money example, you might ask yourself:
Is your relationship to money calling (or screaming) for support right now?
Have you been longing for this kind of support for months or even years?
Has your need for money healing, practices, and guidance gotten LOUDER recently?
Are you in, recovering from, or about to face a Big Life Event — like getting married, having a baby, changing career, starting a business, or grieving a loss? These can catapult us into a money initiation.
Do you know you don’t want to wait for another year to do this? (The next time it will be offered is 2019.)
Do you feel SO ready to do this work?
How does The Art of Money 2018 line up with the timing of your unique money story?
3. The Value.
This. Is. The. Biggie.
Is this program valuable to you?
If so, how valuable? Are you willing to spend your money to reflect this value?
It’s often difficult to pinpoint or quantify the exact the value of a purchase. My work often falls into this category, as it’s difficult to know ahead of time (or from the outside) just how deep and sweeping the transformation and benefits you’ll receive will be.
Sometimes we have to dig deep to decide for ourselves how valuable a potential investment is, to us.
When it comes to The Art of Money, people often report massive shifts … which are subtle at first and then get expressed as external change.
Here are some of the tangible + intangible benefits you can expect from The Art of Money 2018. As you read these, check in with yourself. How much would these be worth, to YOU?
- Greater confidence, peace of mind, and compassion in your money relationship
- A smart, personalized Money Self-Care Practice that keeps you grounded and clear-headed
- Tuning into what truly matters to YOU and aligning these values with your money habits
- Less fights about money with your sweetie and more intimate, fun (and even sexy!) money conversations
- Letting go of old, unhelpful patterns, traumas, and shame around money.
- Learning the language and systems of money. (This is so empowering.)
- Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual money practices so you can see how much money is flowing in and out of your life, and where
- Claiming the self-worth and empowerment to set healthy boundaries and break through “money ceilings”
- Feeling more successful and “grown-up” with money, however YOU define this
- Building your Financial Support Team. Yep: we’ll help you get clear on who you need and how to find a great one!
- Tools to make “money stuff” more creative + playful + meaningful to you
- Mind-expanding teachings from eclectic expert teachers on dozens of different aspects of life connected to money, from somatic practices to Enneagram to savvy business models to paying off debt to creating sustainable biz models with your “superpowers.”
- Loving, smart, supportive conversations with a global network of kindred Money Explorers from all backgrounds, income levels, and creeds. Truly: the tenderness and encouragement in this group is awe-inspiring.
Take a deep breath. Notice how your body feels, right now. Ask yourself:
What are these things worth to me? How would my life be different or better if I had all of these things?
Follow your values.
Once you’re clear on how valuable something is (or isn’t) to you, the choice is almost made for you.
4. The Cost.
You’ve already explored what you expect/hope this experience will bring you — the value. This is the flipside of that.
What will it cost you to NOT make this investment in yourself?
How is NOT doing this work hurting you, your career, and your relationships? How much will it cost you over the next year?
What’s the cost of staying right where you are in your relationship to money?
Here are some common, painful consequences I’ve seen:
- Conflict with your honey about money (whether unspoken or very loud)
- Worry about money problems when you open the mailbox, answer the phone, or go about your day (background worry!)
- Confusion about what your numbers actually look like, because you’re too afraid to look
- Shame, guilt, fear, or anxiety about where you stand financially
- Money wasted on bank charges, late fees, unpaid taxes, and more — because your financial house isn’t in order
- Avoiding important relationships because of money stress or fear
- Neglecting your most cherished dreams and values — because you can’t afford to invest in them (or aren’t sure if you can or “should”)
- Career stress, confusion, or paralysis because you’re not sure how to move forward financially
- Feeling disempowered, confused, overwhelmed, and unworthy — in your money relationship and beyond.
What would it be worth to you to banish these things from your life, for good?
5. The Intention.
Is this a self-loving decision? Are you ready to receive the value of this investment?
Have you ever bought a fancy grill, dreaming of all the quality time you’d spend with family and friends outside … and then never used it? Or signed up for an online class, but missed the calls and skipped out on the practices?
A lot of people beat themselves up about this. We spend our money on something we think we’ll use and love … and then let it rot. Ouch.
The keys here are investing with intention and being ready to receive.
If you’re prepared to gently, lovingly hold yourself accountable for receiving the value of this investment …
If you feel empowered, trusting, and loving towards yourself in making this investment …
If you’re prepared to invest not only your money, but your mind, your heart, your time, and your energy, as well …
Then everything is aligned for you to receive a powerful return on your investment.
So. Deep breath. Check in with yourself.
Look at your numbers. Consider the timing. Weigh the value. Reflect on your intentions. Is this your time?
Only YOU can know!
If you’re considering joining us for The Art of Money 2018, please make this a conscious, loving decision, for yourself.
And if you decide you’re a YES! to The Art of Money 2018, I am here to hold your hand and welcome you into our incredible community.
We officially kick everything off in 2 days, on February 1st. I’d love to see you there!
My Inner Business Woman is wishing you a grounded, clear-headed, savvy money decision.
My Inner Psychotherapist is nudging you to tune into what matters the very most for YOU, and this point in your precious life story.
And my Inner Solid Gold Dancer is reminding you to get funky and let yourself have fun with all of this! Yes, even money decisions.
Maybe especially there.
With my dearest wishes,
P.S. “Can’t decide?” Remember: not making a decision … is actually a decision, itself.
If you find yourself intrigued by The Art of Money (or any other investment!), but then get “analysis paralysis” and feel so overwhelmed that you walk away from it, that’s a decision, too!
We can’t avoid money decisions. But we CAN make our money decisions more conscious, loving, and confident. That’s one of the many skills you’ll get support for in The Art of Money 2018.
And that, my friends … is a beautiful thing.
