Most of us have strong feelings and attitudes about money. Some of us are very aware of those feelings; many of us are not. For those of us in the ranks of service professionals (e.g., lawyers, mediators, accountants) unawareness can impact how we work with clients who are making money-related decisions. Might part of excellent client service be our own clarity about the way we perceive money, wealth, and monetary earning? To have an unclouded view of our underlying assumptions? Our values? Our prejudices? Our biases? Our personal money stories?
There are many methods one can use to achieve that unclouded clarity. One is to develop money mindfulness. Here is an excellent article with several ways to develop clarity through mindfulness about your relationship with money. From "Mind Over Money" (mindful.org):
Money is a loaded subject. No matter where we currently sit on the continuum of “enough,” our relationship to money is often burdensome. And for those of us committed to living mindfully, it is no less so.
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Fortunately, to the same degree that money is an area of our lives fraught with challenges or neglect, it’s also a pathway that can lead us to greater insight, agency, and ease. In the 25 years I have guided organizations and individuals toward a more fulfilling and effective relationship to money, I have learned that despite the vast differences between us, we have much in common in terms of why we struggle with money, and how we can experience greater peace about it.
I was particularly intrigued with the notion of one's money story.
Our money stories are powerful; they can either keep us arrested in illusion or direct us to insight. Let these unconscious places percolate up to your awareness. Once you understand the factors
influencing you, you can begin to act with greater discernment. Wonder gently. We all sometimes mistake our story for who we are. Stories are meant to be convincing.
In fact, after some thought, I think it is imperative that those of use who work with clients and money write our own money stories, starting from earliest memories about money up to today, perhaps including the family history of money at least a generation back.
Did you have a piggy bank? An allowance? When growing up, were you paid for good grades, for chores, for . . . ? Did you buy your own toys and luxuries? Have you ever been an entrepreneur? What's your earning history? Your saving history? Your patterns of giving? The money lessons you taught your children? What lessons did your parents teach you? Have you ever felt poor? Rich? What are your shimmering images involving money?
Other questions might you ask yourself?
Now, have you written your money memoirs yet?
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