An Exercise for Rewiring Your Brain

Last week, a client called, close to tears. Her husband’s business unexpectedly went belly up. Suddenly left with no income, she was forced to get a second job.

“Do you think this crisis has anything to do with my decision to make more money and my lack of action?” she asked.

Obviously it was a rhetorical question.

I see this pattern all the time. Women who avoid money—making it or managing it—until a crisis hits. Either their world falls apart or feels like it’s about to. That’s when they finally take action.

I did it myself. I waited until a million-dollar tax bill almost wiped me out. Not smart!!

How about you? Are you avoiding your finances until the pain gets worse than your fear? Are wanting to move forward without having your world violently–or even mildly–shaken?

If so, try this powerful tool for rewiring your brain. It’s called Selective Attention. Focus on what inspires you and stop dwelling on what scares you.

It’s a fact: To change your behavior, first change your thinking. What flows through your mind wires your brain and governs your behavior.

Instead of obsessing on all the things that can go wrong, try turning your thoughts to what more money will give you—freedom, peace of mind, giving to causes you care about, helping your kids, your parents, people you love.

That’s what I finally did. I started thinking about what kind of a role model I wanted to be for my daughters instead of fixating on my terror of screwing up.

When I made that deliberate shift, I had no choice. Financial avoidance was no longer an option!

I’d love to hear other ideas for getting unstuck. What worked for you? Leave me a comment below.

Comments & Feedback

  • Lisa

    Hi Barbara,

    Instead of fixating on the fearful image of living in the back of my car and eating pet food like that creepy story on 60 minutes, I’m more focused on the fabulous image of having the choice to retire around my early to mid 50’s instead waiting until I can receive social welfare when I’m 70.

    It actually makes me enjoy going to working more, because I know it’s just a stage of my life. I’m concerned why that woman had to get a second job instead of her husband after his business went belly up. Why is this all on her?

    Have a blessed new year!

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Meet Barbara Huson

When a devastating financial crisis rocked her world, Barbara Huson knew she had to get smart about money… and she did. Now, she wants to empower every women to take charge of their money and take charge of their lives! She’s doing just that with her best-selling books, life changing retreats and private financial coaching.

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