The Power of Belief

For those of you who follow me on Instagram (@aunt.kara), you know I don’t exactly write about money saving tips and tricks (aside from travel hacking!) - but I do love to read them! :) Instead I share insight into the last 26 years of my money mindset with the intent to encourage thinking and self-reflection as YOU seek ways to manage your money in a smarter way. So with that said, this blog post is no different! Today I’m going to share something I am 100% convinced of through my own experience - and that is the power of belief.  

Believing that good things can and will happen for you is essential to achieving your goals - financially or otherwise.  I’m not going to tell you that belief alone is the ONLY thing to get to where you want to be - whether it’s paying off all your debt by a certain date, or saving enough to have an $X million net worth someday. However, I am going to tell you that belief is absolutely necessary to achieve your financial goals. It is foundational to the actions and efforts you need to take every step of the way. 

There is a real difference between: 1) having a goal; and 2) truly believing that you have the ability to reach that goal. The words “I wish” are said by everyone everyday. I'll admit that those words sometimes come out of my mouth too! But wishing sounds like you have no power or influence over making it actually happen. And if you don’t think you do, then you aren’t a believer...you are a wisher! ;)

Belief does not come easy to a lot of people. Our surroundings often send many signals that make people assume they are helpless or a victim of circumstance. This is especially true in 2020! Excuses, failures, doubt, and self-criticism are so very easy to gravitate to.  Negativity doesn't take a lot of effort and is coming into our minds through our ears and eyes from every direction...if you let it! People give in and as a result, the feeling of hopelessness or being trapped in a particular situation prevails. When that happens, those financial dreams have zero chance of being realized. 

So how do you turn yourself into someone who really believes you can pay off your debt, be in control of your money, save enough money to retire, pay for your children’s education, or purchase the home you’ve always wanted? I have experienced that with intention, you can train your brain, channel your energy, take new actions, and become a believer. This belief in turn, brings on motivation. And once good things get going, it’s a snowball effect. The belief becomes stronger and stronger. You see that you really can achieve those financial goals one step at a time. So here are 3 pieces of advice to shift your mindset and realize the power of belief:

1. Break down your thinking with self-reflection and assessment: What are the reasons you DON’T think you can reach your financial goals? Go ahead, get it out there! You don’t make enough money? Your monthly bills are too high? Unexpected expenses always creep in and use up your money? You’ve never been good with money? Ok. Are those really obstacles you have no way of overcoming? Can you really not positively influence any of these things? With each obstacle/challenge/excuse, you must develop even more refined, targeted goals to work toward. Come up with a detailed approach to address each reason you “can't“, and tackle it!  

Personally, my most challenging financial goal to date is retiring by age 57 - a goal I set LONG ago. Do I really believe I can do that? I don’t own a company that I can sell off someday.  I’m not a corporate executive, high-profile lawyer, surgeon, professional athlete, etc. Those are the people that can retire by their mid-50's. Not me. Right? I have my current life to pay for - kids, house, food, monthly bills, unexpected emergencies, etc. Why do I think that I can save enough for "early" retirement? ...Because I’ve squashed out all those doubts long ago. I have recognized there will be unknowns and accepted that I will be dependent on different factors along the way. I’ve planned and aligned my everyday actions for years to get there, so I’ve convinced myself I can. I believe.  

2. Constantly surround yourself with better messages.  Avoid the gloom and doom from those who claim nothing goes right for them and it will always be that way for them because there's no way out. Seek regular inspiration and real advice from others. That’s what makes the debt free, personal finance and FI/RE communities on Instagram so awesome. There are stories about every type of financial situation a person can be in, and how they are getting out, encouraging others, proving that people CAN get to where they want to be.  Read these types of posts, articles, and books regularly. Put the good stuff in front of your eyes and pump the positive messages in your ears!

People ask me what type of things I read. I tell them that besides industry information I need to read for my profession, I only like to read articles, blogs, and books that can make me better. I also love TED Talks videos... I have for years. I often listen to them in the car on long drives. I want to be inspired, learn, and think. In my opinion, that's a good use of my "spare" time. It also gives me the confidence and motivation I need to remain a believer. 

3. Act like a believer.  Know what you want and think about getting it. Think about it A LOT. And with every day that goes by, remind yourself what you’ve already accomplished and what IS going your way. Say it out loud. Talk with your significant other or close friends about what steps you have achieved and what you are doing right now to change your circumstances and get closer to your goals. You can even write these things down for yourself.  Provide yourself with affirmation at every opportunity. After awhile, it becomes second-nature. It’s something you will feel and it will be reinforced even more by what you say to others. 

Recently I openly began telling people that I will retire sometime between age 55-57, and that I once my children are adults, we will live in Hawaii for 2-3 months each year. They smile and ask, “Oh is that your dream?” I answer, "Not a dream. It’s just what we’ve already decided to do!"... Am I there yet? No. Are there risks and obstacles I will continue to face in order to get there? Absolutely! But I'm "only" 49. :) I truly believe we will make it happen...and so does my husband Marc.

One popular (and overused) phrase that triggers me more than it should is the saying, “It is what it is.”...because I’m not about that. Lol. It's not what it is. It's what you can make it be. That's belief. A mindset that is like no other. If you have it, the power is all yours. If you don’t, do your best to find it. :)