Change Your Money Story

My mom likes orchids. Okay that might be a bit of an understatement… my mom loves orchids. It’s a thing. She’s got dozens of dendrobium, phalanxes of phalaenopsis, a plurality of pleurothallis and enough grow-lights in the porch to rate her as “interesting” to the local office of the DEA. But she shows her orchids so its okay.

I don’t think she ever set out with the intention of developing a brand as the “orchid lady”, but in certain circles she is exactly that – known for her passionate evangelism of the flower. She’s racked up a wall full of ribbons and plaques for some of her prized members of the family Orchidaceae, she has taught orchid classes at the adult school, been tapped for show & tell duty by more than one grandchild, and even has a custom license plate declaring her passion for the plant. It’s a personal brand built on authenticity – when it comes to personal branding you can’t sustain what you don’t genuinely love.

I believe there is more to learn here though than just to pursue your passion. I think there is a lesson in the garden. As business people and entrepreneurs we want to steer people towards our best. We want to deliver every day a bouquet of our finest blooms. Beautiful colors, full blossoms, delicate fragrances and pastels brought forth with consistency and care. Our customers deserve no less, do they? But not every flower is ready for the cutting, not every plant is suitable for the orchid show. For every ribbon-winner in my mom’s porch there’s plenty that will never make the grade. She knows she has to tend her orchids with diligence, skill, knowledge and love to have them bring forth a show-worthy shoot.

When we show our best it can only ever be just a part of who we are – we hope that our best reaches and grows tall so that it pulls up our worst, but mastery is something approached, strived for, but never fully reached. Our bouquet may be the best of our garden, but it is never better than our garden. And if we hope to cull our finest from that garden reliably and consistently then we must tend our garden. Pull out your fanciest buds too often without taking time to weed, nourish, study, till, plant and love your garden, and soon you won’t have any best blossoms left to draw upon for your brand bouquet.

- David Cohen, brand therapist, wants to remind you that you are a beacon and that your job is to shine. Find out more about David and his left-brained + right-brained approach to branding at http://www.EquationArts.com Change Your Money Story19723Change Your Money Story What’s your story? You know your money story; what is it? We all have one. Some of our stories are simple and some far more complicated. These stories are all rooted in our past, deep inside of us and where formed when we were very young.

How many of us heard the following statements from our parents growing up: Money doesn’t grow on trees,Do you think I’m made of money?,We can’t afford it, or,Do you think there is a money tree growing in the backyard? There are countless phrases that our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles said to use as kids. We know them all and those statements are part of what has created our money mindset. Sad I know, but true.

Unfortunately, most of us have negative feelings about money. We have gathered all of the information that our family, peers, television and the media have told us about money and it has come together into what is now our negative money mindset. Some of our feelings may be conscious and others subconscious. It doesn’t matter if they are conscious or subconscious, they are there and they need to be tackled head on if you are going to make the money you desire!

1. Stop Ignoring Money and Start Paying Attention To It Money needs to flow and it needs to be paid attention to. If you don’t pay attention to money it will find a way to get your attention. This will show up in ways you don’t want it to because you are not giving it the respect it deserves. So stop putting your head in the sand and take a good look at your current money situation and develop a strategy to deal with it head on.

Develop a Budget and Stick To It: We all understand the importance of developing a budget but many don’t follow through by sticking to the plan. Let me ask you: How do you expect to pay down your debt if you don’t have a plan? Your budget is part of that plan and a crucial part of your overall success strategy. So take pencil to paper and develop your budget NOW!

Pay Your Bills On Time, Every Time: Paying your bills on time is an important step in your money recovery plan. When you fail to pay your bills on time you are creating the energy of lack and scarcity and that leaves you feeling powerless over money. Many of my bills are paid automatically some manually but I pay them at the same time each month. Find a system that works for you and your money flow and stop ignoring your bills.

Track Your Money Daily: You don’t need a fancy system just paper and pen. Put down the date and any money that was received each day. You may start out with some zeros on some days but eventually you will see money coming in everyday! This simple system really workstry it and see for yourself.

2. Find The Money Leaks In Your Business Every business has money leaks. It may be that you are paying for a membership that you don’t use. Maybe you are paying someone by the hour and they take far too long to complete a task costing you hundreds of dollars in lost cash. There are countless ways that money leaks right out of our hands and back account. Find your money leaks and plug them so that you can have more money in your business and life.

3. Stop Using Negative Money Language Spending money is always a choice about what you are prioritizing and what you value. But when you say things like,I can’t afford it orI don’t have the money it tells the universe that you are not open to receive the money that it is trying to give you. These statements are constricting, limiting and are based in scarcity and lack.

Instead say things like:I am worth it orI choose to invest in myself and my business. Not only is the language really important but what’s behind the language, the mindset is really important too. Start focusing on what you say and stop using language that sends the wrong message to the universe.

When you start to pay attention to money, it will begin to flow to you into your business and into your life. So pick one of these tips today and change your money story.

Maureen Campaiola, known by her clients, asthe DARE Coach is President of DARE To Be Phenomenal. As an accomplished business coach, author, speaker and entrepreneur Maureen spends her time in the trenches working on solving the unique problems of women business owners and entrepreneurs. She can always be counted on to deliver smart , innovative solutions to turn a hectic and draining business into a thriving, highly lucrative, smooth running, and fun money making reality. In addition, she is the founder of the wildly successfulSuccess Minded Women’s Business Network where like-minded and highly motivated women connect, support and engage in joint ventures. To learn more about how you can step into your greatness, accelerate your business, AND achieve all the personal and business success you desire visit: www.daretobephenomenal.com or email: maureen@daretobephenomenal.com