I want to start out by asking the question what’s hurting you? The reason I ask is because I was recently in the company of some friends and the conversation got on the topic of personal finance (my favorite topic of course). I remember at one point during the conversation a friend said something that hit me hard. Now granted my friend is going through some challenges, which has caused a financial strain on their family.
My friend said that “financial people like me are out of touch and don’t understand the psychology of money”. Initially I was taken aback by the comment to say the least, so I resisted a response because I wanted to take some time to do some self-evaluation to see if I indeed had lost touch with what works and what doesn’t work. This person also goes on to say, “I know what I should be doing financially but I just don’t do it” which sounds like most people concerning their money.
Now that I have had some time to evaluate myself, I have come to a couple conclusions regarding the comment made. First, my friend has not actually read my latest book called “Spend Everything” (Shameless plug). Because if she had she wouldn’t have made that statement about me and being out of touch. I can’t think of anyone more in touch with the psychology of money than I. You see I grew up not having a lot of money, and like everyone else with the same background, I have made some financial mistakes along the way. The difference between my friend and me is I learned from my mistake instead of repeating them.
I have concluded that personal finance is “Personal” that is why we call it personal finance. Most experts say personal financial is eighty percent personal and twenty percent knowledge. So I guess my response to my friend should have been, NO I get it; I just choose to do better. There is a saying that says, “If you want to change any aspect of your life you have to become a different person” In other words you cannot be the same person doing the same thing and expect to get anything but what you have always gotten.
I am reminded of the story of a dog lying on a nail. A traveling salesman comes to a farmhouse where there is a farmer and a dog on the porch. The salesman noticed that each time the dog moved the dog would let out a whimper. Finally, the salesman asked the farmer what was wrong with your dog and the farmer replied “He’s laying on a nail” the salesman then asked if the dog is laying on a nail and it hurts him why doesn’t he just get off the nail. After thinking for a while the farmer replied “I guess it don’t hurt him enough”
I believe that most people are in love with the idea of being financially free. Not necessarily rich but financially free to do the things that you really want to do. However, I have found that most people aren’t willing to do the things that are necessary to get there.
The nail in the story is a metaphor for anything that keeps you from doing what you really want to do in life. The nail could represent anything; it could be that you have bad financial habits, spiritual issues; relationship issues any number of things. The thing about the nail is you know its there and it hurts you yet you haven’t made the decision to do anything about it. Many of us are like the dog in the story, we just want to lay there and whimper and hope that someday something will change, through no effort of our own of course. I would also say to my friend and her financial situation “Get off the nail” stop letting your past dictate your future, you are not your past, you are better than your past; you just have to let it go.
The nail in the story is a metaphor for anything that keeps you from doing what you really want to do in life. The nail could represent anything; it could be that you have bad financial habits, spiritual issues; relationship issues any number of things. The thing about the nail is you know its there and it hurts you yet you haven’t made the decision to do anything about it. Many of us are like the dog in the story, we just want to lay there and whimper and hope that someday something will change, through no effort of our own of course. I would also say to my friend and her financial situation “Get off the nail” stop letting your past dictate your future, you are not your past, you are better than your past; you just have to let it go.
“The fastest way to get away from something it so let it go!”
Your situation could be anything that you are having difficulty with yet refuse to do something about it. Let’s face it if your life isn’t where you want it to be who can you blame? The truth is YOU, I know that may sound a little self-righteous but it is true. If things aren’t going your way then change. Everyday that you wake up you have the power to change. Change your mind, your habits and ultimately your life.
This article was written by Lonnie R. Mathews for the Who's Minding Your Money blog. Lonnie is an author and speaker in the area of personal finance. To learn more about Lonnie or to contact him visit www.lonniemathews.com
This article was written by Lonnie R. Mathews for the Who's Minding Your Money blog. Lonnie is an author and speaker in the area of personal finance. To learn more about Lonnie or to contact him visit www.lonniemathews.com
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