Or any advice for that matter
It’s holding you back because all too easily we give ourselves, our power away.
We tell ourselves stories that we aren’t good with money (or any other subject), that we will never get it right, that we have to have others handle it for us. For any advice you read, listen to or watch, it seems like “they” know and you don’t.
They are speaking of “their” life and what works for them. So, of course, you don’t know! You don’t live their life!
I’ve followed some good and some not so good money advice over the years. Even if things didn’t go perfectly (and sometimes they did NOT), it was only for my good. I took ownership of those ideas and actions as my own. I built it into my life and my plan. It wasn’t a slap dash of try this and see what happens.
I love a great “Let’s see” more than anyone. Still, there needs to be ownership of the “let’s see’s.” I would even go as far to say it should never be a “so and so said to do this” decision. That’s an excuse, selling out and giving away your power – and without that ownership the cycle continues.
I’ve noticed that very little of my financial life from 10 or even 5 years ago is part of my current financial life. Granted my bank account numbers stay the same (if you’ve ever had to change all that over – you get why I will never change them!) But as for everything else…I might as well be a different person!
I’ve learned a lot, incorporated some, ignored the rest. And as time goes on, I realize that some of the previously incorporated just doesn’t work anymore. Even if I want it to. I have to make adjustments for the life I live now and the life I want.
I’ve found myself trying things over and over because the people I love (and who love me) swear by it. They tell me it will save me time and make life easier. But every time I try it (when I forget I already had and try it again), it is clear to me why it didn’t work the first time or I didn’t continue.
If it doesn’t work for me and my life – it doesn’t matter about all the benefits other see. Taking advice that I don’t believe in, doesn’t feel right and doesn’t support me – that keeps me from being me and doing the things that I want to do. And to me, there is nothing more important than that.
When your finances are smooth, humming along and letting you live your life, it takes a lot to make a change. When the advice comes that will further complicate or slow down everything running smoothly, requiring attention and time…well, that “simplifying advice” might turn out to be anything but simple.
Anyone who promises $ or a rate of return or anything really… run, run far far away. You can invest, you can make money, you can make things work for you if you decide but there are absolutely no guarantees coming from someone else’s mouth. They are not you.
I read, I look, I pay attention. I also know that simple, truthful, clear and concise is best (the more writing, the more fine print, the more sales copy…I do wonder…)
Still, if I take ownership of the advice, take it as my own and make it part of my plan, it is never wasted. (It might have unforeseen and not so great consequences but it won’t be wasted.)
Taking ownership of your money, your choices around it, what and how it works (or doesn’t) for you and doing the things because it’s you and yours – that will never hold you back, even if you take advice that isn’t great.
Don’t sell yourself, your life and your money to someone else’s idea of you. They don’t know you – only you know you best. Learn, try and grow but always keep ownership – of your money, your power and your life.
