This time of year, filling our cup with gratitude and warmth can feel…well, amazing. Even on the toughest days, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for – and honing the skill of finding the silver lining can be so helpful during difficult times. Being grateful for money, and forgiving of, our own individual experiences with money (good and bad) means we can reframe how we view those experiences. Financial literacy is not built in a day and it’s true that so many of us learn this financial stuff the hard way. I know I sure did, but I am still so grateful for those experiences.
As hard as it seems, being grateful for both our money successes and challenges is part of developing a healthy money mindset. An optimistic outlook helps us view the whole money journey as a challenge that we’re capable of winning – even if it’s a triathlon! People win triathlons all the time, so we know it’s possible. Let’s take a look at exactly how a positive money mindset can propel your drive to get your $hit together!
Better Mindset, Better Finances
Being Grateful for Your Money
A recent research study found that when it comes to money, optimists are more likely to make savvy moves and reap the benefits. Optimists reported that they stressed about finances 145 fewer days each year as compared to pessimists. Those who scored the highest optimism (compared to their peers) are 40% more likely to get a promotion within the next year, plus FIVE times less likely to burnout than pessimists. Optimism does so much more than seeing the bright side on a cloudy day.
What powers optimism the most? That’s right. Gratitude. Just like building muscle, gratitude is a muscle that starts small but can grow big over time. All it takes is an active exercise that can be done every day to gradually strengthen that muscle. And I’m not even telling you to put on the rose-colored glasses here – rational optimism has everything to do with seeing reality for what it is, including solutions that can improve the situation. Here are a few exercises that can empower you to tap into the power of gratitude today and in the New Year.
Gratitude Exercises for your Money Mindset
Make a Daily Gratitude List – What’s Working?
Give yourself some credit! There are probably more than a few areas of your money life that are going well. Noting them down will give you some perspective. Start small. List one or two areas of your life you’re grateful for every day. Then, when you get the habit down, go bigger. Write down 5-10 things you’re grateful for every day—and don’t forget to include a money gratitude item.
Find Opportunities – Reframe the negatives!
Money challenges are hard and can have a devastating effect on our stress levels, no question about it. But knowing that you can face it to fix it, and that you’re not alone in the struggle, it’s so important. You can’t start climbing the “impossible” mountain if you don’t face it with a fresh perspective. Believe you can, and you will! Trust me.
Think “Progress not perfection.”
Getting your financial $hit together is not an overnight experience. It takes consistent, committed action. Not all action will be perfect. Some days will be hard. Mistakes will be made. But that’s okay! We’re going for progress, not perfection. Steps forward. The steps can be really challenging, but that’s why it helps to have some support along the way.
Find Your Tribe
Gratitude plays a huge role in achieving a healthy financial life, and it really helps to have people who have been there and/or are going through the same journey. Facing our finances alone can be confusing and frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are looking for help getting your $hit together or learning how to invest the money you have, join my tribe and take my Money Mindset prep course today.