After I published my post on golden handcuffs, I received a number of emails from people about money: specifically, the ability to write their own paycheck.
While everyone liked the theory, I nonetheless received emails that were basically excuses or reasons people “couldn’t” determine their own income. While I’m addressing all of the folks who emailed me personally over the next few weeks, I wanted to address the concept in general in case you were too shy to email me directly.
Though you may not know it, your behavior is guided by your beliefs and values. Some of those beliefs are conscious, and some are unconscious; however, they all impact your activities and decisions. When they restrict your decisions and choices, I call them “limiting beliefs” because they keep you from doing things.
For example, consider the following statements:
I can’t start a business because I’m not good at {insert marketing, hiring, sales, technology here};
Or:
I won’t make any money working for myself because I don’t understand {insert finance, taxes, bookkeeping or other skill here}.
That you are or aren’t good at a given field may be true, but that you will fail at business because of it is not. If you aren’t good at marketing or a specific skill, you can hire someone who is. No one is an expert at every level, yet people start businesses all the time.
The same goes for making money; while it may be true that you don’t understand something, it is not true that you can’t learn enough to understand it or find a qualified professional you can trust to help you.
Limitations are all in your mind. The reality is, you only have the limitations you perceive - the mind doesn’t have built-in rules that limit your potential. Henry Ford once said: “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”
It all depends on what you believe about yourself, and until you question those beliefs, they will continue to control your actions.
Having trouble breaking free of the thoughts that are grounding you? Contact me - I can help.
