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Financial Burden Worrying You?

I’ve started a practice of pulling a Money Talks! Card for inspiration before my presentations, consultations, and writing.

Today the card asked: If you could eliminate one financial worry or burden from your future, what would it be?

Many of the worries we carry when it comes to our finances can be eliminated by one of three approaches:

Creating a plan. When I was a financial advisor, clients often expressed worry about future occurrences that were highly unlikely to happen. When we ran their plan, with conservative assumptions, they felt more confident.
Changing behavior. We often know exactly what we need to do, and yet don’t do it. Taking clear, inspired action toward your goals lowers stress. What is one thing, that if you did, you know would make a significant difference in your financial life? Do that. The sooner the better.
Shifting your mindset. What we worry about rarely happens. According to a National Institutes of Health study only 8.61% of worries came true. That means that 91.39% of the time they don’t! Adjusting money beliefs doesn’t have to be as hard as you think. (Resources are in the P.S. below – let me know if I can help.)

Naming what you’re worried about is a great first start (name it to tame it). I hope you’ll contemplate this question: If you could eliminate one financial worry or burden from your future, what would it be?

You can learn more about the Money Talks! Cards© here.

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ NEW! Get your own deck of Money Talks Cards!© Talking with & about money is a beautiful, effective way to fundamentally shift your relationship with money. Use these cards solo, with a partner, with a group/team, or to bring insights to talks with your advisor. Get your own deck here for a deeper understanding of your money mindset and habits.

+ My newest book is out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Is Your Money Partnership in Sync?

As I was working on a Messages from Money session for a client (these are consultations to guide people toward a more prosperous relationship with their money) I realized that her relationship with Money was like a ballroom dance partnership. This might be also helpful for you to explore.

A good ballroom dancing partner possesses several key qualities, and these are true for a great Money partnership as well. (Disclaimer…although I love to dance, I’ve never danced ballroom. These qualities came with help from Chat GPT or, as I’ve named her, Chatty Cathie 😊)

Communication: Clear communication is essential for synchronization in dance movements. Partners should be able to discuss routines, adjustments, and preferences openly. With Money, how can you communicate better? What if you were to journal more with Money? Ask it questions and notice what you hear or see and experience in response. You might be surprised. Or ask questions in meditation. Guidance is available for you. Especially in your business. Ask and quietly listen for direction. Insights are accessible to us all the time. Whether you believe “Money” is talking to you, or your intuition, or you have a knowing, it doesn’t really matter.
Trust: Trust in each other’s abilities plus a commitment to practicing and performing together builds a strong dance partnership. What if you trusted in Money more; that it had your back and you will be fine financially? I know this can seem challenging sometimes. Life and world events can definitely raise our financial fear levels. Still worry about money is a bad strategy. If you trusted more in money, it might just lower your fear levels and allow you to make better decisions. Limiting beliefs about whether you have what it takes are just that, limiting. When these play in the background they slow your progress down. By contrast, trust in yourself, trust in your abilities, and trust in money will move you ahead with more ease than a limited focus on the scary news will, for sure.
Consistency: Reliably attending practices and performances fosters a dependable dance relationship. Regular care and attention to your money will help it grow. Not overly attentive, where you obsess over money. But instead knowing what’s going on with it and making sure it’s being managed well. Show up continually for your money partnership.
Adaptability: Being able to adapt to different dance styles, tempos, and partners’ strengths enhances the partnership’s versatility. In the financial world things are constantly shifting and adjusting. Flexibility without fear will be helpful. Actually, more than helpful. It is required. Your financial plan won’t ever play out exactly as projected. It doesn’t mean you won’t hit your goals. Instead know that the path to them will need to be modified along the way.
Supportiveness: Encouraging each other and providing constructive feedback positively impacts the dance experience and skill development. Believing money wants you to win is a helpful belief! Imagine it’s cheering you on. And, getting supportive, encouraging help from a financial professional is a great idea.
Physical Awareness: Sensitivity to each other’s movements and space helps avoid collisions and enhances the fluidity of dance routines. To me this is about respect for each other. Respect and conscious caring for money will build a healthy money relationship that will flow for you.
Enjoyment: Ultimately, enjoying each other’s company and the dance itself makes the partnership enjoyable and fulfilling. Yes! This is how the metaphor started. So, give it a whirl! Have more fun and lightness with your money! What might that look like for you?

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My newest book is out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Are You Throwing Shade at Money?

What would happen if people knew what we were really thinking about them? Even toward the people we love the most, sometimes we have judgments, anger, mean intentions, and insecurities that sweep through our thoughts. They are often fleeting. Hopefully not expressed or persistent. But we do have them. You have these kinds of tapes playing in your head about money as well: about your relationship with Money, and about how others are with their money.

What if Money could hear you? Would you be creating the type of relationship you’d like to have with Money? Okay, you might think this is silly. How could money know what I was thinking about it or how other people deal with it?

Remember: abracadabra – I create as I speak. You’re likely familiar with how magicians use this as an incantation. It is like magic. The more deliberately you think and use words about Money, the better relationship you’ll create.

It’s easy to get carried away in thoughts of worry and dread, especially when it comes to Money. But worry is a bad financial strategy. The feelings that come along with these limiting thoughts indicate that you’re going against the current. These limiting thoughts can cloud your ability to see opportunities or find solutions, and they can even change how you see situations.

In a Message from Money session, my client (we’ll call her Josie) asked about a real estate investment that wasn’t working out as she had planned. Money responded with a message asking about her original intent for the deal. Josie said that she had told her broker she was looking for an opportunity that was “too good to be true.” As soon as she said that, I stopped her and said, “Well… that is exactly what you got, right?” Sometimes, you need someone else to put the spotlight on how you’re talking about your financial goals and Money. Josie now realizes how her words create her reality and is more conscious of how she speaks about Money and her goals.

How do you become more aware of what money-related thoughts and words swirl around your head or fall out of your mouth?

By being more mindful. What does that mean? Mindfulness is simply about paying attention. Noticing without judgment what’s happening in the present moment.

Try this right now. Look around the space you’re in and notice something you haven’t noticed for a long time, if ever before. Every time I do this in a room that I spend a lot of time in, I’m amazed at what I don’t typically pay attention to.

With practice, you’ll become more aware of your thoughts and beliefs about Money.

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↑ … This is an excerpt from Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Want to create an amazing relationship with Money and shift limiting money beliefs? Let’s chat!

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My newest book is out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

What Being Hypnotized Taught Me About Money

Have you ever been to an event or party with a hypnotist? I have, and have been one of the volunteers, about 4 times. The first time was as a tween, then a teen, and twice as an adult. Most recently this past weekend.

The process has always amazed me. You don’t do anything that you wouldn’t really want to do. Instead, you lose some inhibitions, let go of self-consciousness, and have fun.

In prepping the group “The Amazing Jeffrey Powers” shared that we are all being hypnotized all the time. By our phones, by politicians, advertising, the media, etc.

What I’ve enjoyed about the hypnosis process is it reminds me that with a bit of suggestion and relaxing the mind it’s easy and enjoyable to create what you desire. It’s like the process of visualization which I use all the time and teach in my classes to create prosperity on purpose. If we can bypass the worries and limiting beliefs, then we get results and have more fun.

This works for your business and your personal finances. I was recently working with someone (we’ll call her Sue) who said “I want to feel financially secure.” Sue’s financial life has been filled with ups and downs both from income fluctuations and her husband’s spending. Of course, having a smart plan of action is important (which they have). Being able to bring in extra income and be ready to make sound decisions going forward takes internal work with her relationship with money. Sue and I did visualization work together to have her tap into feelings of financial security. This helps to train her nervous system and mental pathways to be open and ready to care for the money that is coming her way.

If you’d like to learn more about using visualization in your business check out my latest book Messages from Money and also Picture Your Prosperity. This is also one of my favorite topics to speak to groups about.

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My newest book is out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Are You Clear on Your Higher Purpose?

How to gain clarity…

Clarifying purpose can feel elusive and certainly evolves over time. There is often a whisper that speaks to us about how we are here to make our unique difference. We just need to be quiet enough to hear it.

The quest is well worth it. As you gain clarity on your big work in the world, business seems to grow with more ease and joy. You are motivated beyond the financial gains with an additional focus on difference making.

So how do you gain clarity on your higher purpose at work?

Here are some steps that will help:

Ask. Pose the question: What is my true purpose? I came across a blog from December 23, 2010 that suggested using this question as a journal prompt and start writing. The first time I did this I was amazed at what came through. As I was writing this newsletter for today I called up the first journal entry I typed answering this question (I find typing a quick and an easy way for me to journal). I had written almost 5 pages! I continue to ask this question on a regular basis.
Listen. Our minds are chatting all of the time. We have approximately 6200 thoughts a day! Having contemplative practices to quiet the mind enough to hear your own good intentions is so helpful. This might be through meditation, time in nature, prayer, running, etc. I doubt anyone has gained clarity on their higher purpose by spending hours scrolling on social media…

Here’s my inner whisper which has been guiding me forward: To inspire, guide, and awaken people to use their money as a force for good in the world. To help people stand in their true power with money so they can stop asking, “will I be okay?” and start asking, “how much can I give?”

I see this as my way to help make the world better. I do this through my speaking and consulting with financial advisors and people in financial service (assisting them to serve and grow in their work with clients helps them and expands my impact), with my Messages from Money consultations, and through my books.

I’d love to hear about your higher purpose at work!

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My new book out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Want a Great Money Relationship?

Try this…

I hope your Valentine’s Day was love-filled whether that be from friends, family, or your honey. It is my favorite holiday!

It seems like a great time of year to reflect on your relationships, including your relationship with Money. We all have one whether you are aware of it or not.

If you examine your relationship with Money like a personal relationship with a partner or best friend, how are you showing up?

Are you a jealous partner to Money?

Clingy?

Caring?

Do you ignore it?

Loving?

Are you just looking for a hook up with your Money?!

When you relate to Money through the relationship lens you’re likely to notice areas for your growth and also areas you’re doing really well.

Send your Money some love this Valentine’s season and watch what happens!

If you want more ideas on how to transform your relationship with Money grab a copy of Messages from Money.

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My new book out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Are You Staying Relevant?

Pay attention if you want to grow in the future.

It’s a lot to keep up in business. Compliance/legal, technology, markets, trends, taxes, don’t stay static. Not to mention dealing with your team and others who support you. Of course, you must pay attention to these areas and more.

But you won’t have a business if you don’t stay relevant in areas your clients need and desire.

I was thinking about how years ago I knew a guy who fixed typewriters. Quite a business back in the IBM Selectric days. As that business faded, he began repairing fax machines. You get where I’m going with this. He wasn’t able to adapt in ways that kept him in a consistently viable business.

Yes, sometimes success is about offering new products and solutions to clients – but this won’t be sustainable. To truly stay relevant you must be obsessed with being client-centric. This means aligning your strategies, your processes, and your actions to deliver maximum value to your clients.

A focus on:

Understanding client needs
Empathy and resilience
Putting clients first
Personalization
Continuous engagement
Building relationships
Providing essential value

are all important.

And, one of the most client-centric focuses you can have is related to transforming your clients’ relationship with money for the better.

Being client-centric requires a fundamental shift in mindset

… for you and your entire team, towards prioritizing the client experience at every touchpoint and making sure that all aspects of your business are aligned to deliver value and satisfaction to clients.

Let me know if you want to talk more about this.

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My new book out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Creating the Right Business Vibe

Is your business energy holding you back?

I’m a believer in optimism, generosity, joy, and deliberately creating the energy we want to show up in life. There is good research that points to the benefits of optimism including better health, happiness and its positive correlation to making more money.

And, more than “good vibes” are needed to do well in business.

I recently gave a workshop on manifesting the goals you’ve set for the year. During the discussion of our relationship with money when I asked, “If your relationship with Money was like a romantic relationship how are you showing up?” I heard comments such as “I’m jealous” “I’m controlling” “I’m worried it will leave me.”

One woman said: “I’m spiritually arrogant – feeling better than Money.” Not an uncommon belief; to feel as if you can’t do good work in the world and make Money, feeling that there’s something unsavory about Money. She said she solidly lands in the upper left quadrant of the chart below. Feeling good but having no financial success in her business.

Certainly, inner wisdom and good energy are drivers of building a sustainable extraordinary business, but more is needed.

Where do you currently fall on this chart? Of course, there are times when challenges arise and you won’t always feel happy and energetic. Still, the more you build your internal focus and growth mindset muscles the more quickly you’ll be able to bounce back and find the opportunities.

What energy are you deliberately bringing to your business? What would you love your clients to say when asked what’s the energy like doing business with you?

If you’re looking for ways to move solidly into the upper right corner consider reading my latest book, Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. We can also have a chat to talk more specifically about your situation.

I’d love to hear what’s going on in your world.

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My new book just out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

Create the Conditions for Success

Have you set goals, intentions, resolutions or a vision for 2024? This is a time of year that many of us reassess, reset, and resolve. A Forbes Health poll found that the average resolution lasts 3.47 months before they are ditched.

Here are some ideas to create the conditions for success and see your vision turn into a reality:

Keep your goals visible – Creating a Prosperity Picture is a wonderful way to have a visual representation of your vision. You can download instructions and images to get you started here.
Clear your mind and your space – My word for 2024 is “clear.” For me it means being clear and also clearing out what is no longer needed (mentally and physically). Clearing clutter frees up attention for more creative purposes.
Create accountability – Working with a loving and committed coach, buddy, or a friend to check in on actually doing what you say you’ll do will increase the likelihood of your success. If you’d like to have an accelerator call to see if how I work with people to create more prosperity on purpose is a fit for you grab a time on my calendar.
Mentally rehearse your success – Visualization and mental rehearsal are powerful tools. Remember to add in how you feel as you are picturing your goal achievement. Actually feel the emotions as if your goal is happening right now.
Use Prosperity Prompts – Keep reminders around you of your goals. For example: reminders on your phone, sticky notes, crystals, a song that represents your goals, etc.

To create your own prosperity picture, learn to visualize effectively, and manifest more with ease join me on January 20^th for an in-person workshop. I’d love to see you there! You can learn more and sign up here.

I look forward to helping make 2024 a wonderful year for you!

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My new book just out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

The Gift of Prosperity

Wouldn’t it be cool to give a gift that supports your loved one to be more prosperous, while being less stressed at the same time?

Drum roll please …

Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money might just be the perfect present!I’m hearing from readers around the world how this book has shifted their relationship with money in beautiful ways. Here’s what some other authors have said:

“An empowering and transformative guide, Messages from Money delves into the profound connection between our inner beliefs and our financial reality. It skillfully illustrates how a change in our thoughts and energy around money can lead to lasting transformation. A must-read for anyone seeking financial well-being with a soulful perspective.”
—Lynne Twist, author of The Soul of Money and Living a Committed Life

“After a lifetime of reporting, talking, and writing about money, I realize Ellen has added the essential extra ingredient — the soul of money! And that makes every aspect of financial planning work smoothly.”
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune Financial Columnist and author of The Savage Truth on Money

“I absolutely love the way Messages from Money invites us to deepen our relationship with money in an ingenious, personal way. If you’re looking to increase your prosperity, this book needs to be on your list.”
—Kate Northrup, bestselling author of Money: A Love Story

You can make your gift giving easy and effortless! Here’s the link to send your copies.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Every good wish,

Whenever you’re ready …

+ My new book just out! It’s called Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. Get your copy now by clicking here.

+ Interested in improving your relationship with money? Feeling like you might have some beliefs or blocks in business and your personal finances you’d like to clear? Learn more here.

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