Two Simple Steps to Improve Your Money Mindset

When you want to feel empowered around your money mindset, there's one thing that is at the heart of preparing to increase your income. Sometimes, in mindset work, we forget that we do have a great deal of control. While that control isn't over anything outside of ourselves, we can control our thoughts, reactions, and beliefs — and that is powerful! And it starts with asking.

Kids are great at this. For example, my kids always want McDonald's. Never mind that 99.9% of the time, my answer is no when they ask. But they always ask for it. I'm sure if you're a parent, cousin, or caretaker of any sort, you've had this experience, too.

And as any kiddo is too familiar with hearing… Just because you want it doesn't mean it's going to happen. But when you realize that you have a great deal of power over your choices in your money mindset journey, you can learn to guide your thoughts and actions to prepare yourself for an increase in income.

There are two main steps to getting to the heart of the mindset around income and deciding you have some control there. Here they are…

Money Mindset Step One: Decide

Just because you may want more compensation (in the form of a higher salary, another job offer, a thriving business), that doesn't mean you'll get it the second you desire it. 

However, as I wrote about in this post, Improve your Financial Situation This Year in 5 Easy Steps, the first step is to decide that's what you're going for. Decide that you want a better job or to finally start that business. Decide you want to improve your money mindset and prepare for growing your finances.

Once you decide, you're cutting off any other options. You're cutting off the option to operate from a feeling of lack, less-than, or not enough. And, dare I say, you're deciding to become the person who has a powerful money mindset.

Related Reading: How to Ask for More: The First Thing You Need to Know When Advocating for More Money

Money Mindset Step Two: Get Into Action

Once you've decided what you want (more compensation, to increase your business's revenue this quarter over last, etc), ask yourself, "How can I get into action? How can I take matters into my own hands?"

For my kids' quest for McDonald's, they may take it upon themselves to clean up the yard (we have 3 dogs and they know that they don't get any extra rewards until that chore is done!) and then do some extra chores around the house above and beyond the regular day-to-day expectations.

For you, you may take it upon yourself to further your education, network, or make new connections in the hopes that it'll lead to more compensation. Whatever that is, it's time to get creative and find ways to support your decision.

And, lest you say, "I can't do that because I'm not in an office right now and can't just bump into colleagues in the hall or go to a networking event because they're all shut down!" let me gently remind you of your decision.

You could also…

• Find an accountability partner to keep you on track (post in the free Facebook Group to partner up with like-minded buddies!)
• Commit to taking one small action each day that will get you closer to your goals (like sending one email per day with an invite to connect or an email saying, "Hey I appreciate you" just to remind someone in your network that you exist)
• Make a game out of it and reward yourself when you hit a milestone
• Surround yourself with inspiring people, quotes, and things (check out these 21 Wise Money Quotes for Financial Literacy Month for starters!)

You decided to enjoy more compensation. If you decide it's too much work, that's fine. But then, like my kids who ask but haven't earned the McDonald's trip, you get what you get and you don't get upset. In other words, if you decide it can't happen for you, it won't happen for you. You're in control over what happens!

Related Reading: Finding An Accountability Partner

At the End of the Day…

At the end of the day, we're all doing our best right now and I have every confidence that you're doing your best to reach your money goals. I'm positive that you are taking the steps you know how to take.

That said, we all sometimes need a good motivating kick in the pants to go out there, get to work, and say, "I know it won't just land in my lap, I can be creative and find my own way to ensure I get what I want."

Sometimes, taking it back to the first step and reminding yourself of your decisions, then focusing your mindset to be attuned to more money helps you remember why you're doing what you're doing. It revitalizes and reinspires you to take action and go after your goals so you and your loved ones can thrive!