state of having/abundance

[Joy]

I'm very clear on my future goals and have absolutely no doubt that they will be accomplished... but I need some help with the present. I've been dealing with extreme financial stress for a few years now, and it really takes its toll. I believe that financial struggle/poverty is really a financial anxiety problem. How do I make it stop? How do I stop worrying about my finances when I don't make enough money to pay my bills?

This not being able to pay my bills thing is a short term problem due to an injury, but once I get the settlement and get caught up, I need to use whatever's left to invest and to create some passive income. I want to save that passive income until I can invest in something else that will create more passive income, and so on. That being the case, I need to increase my income from my job dramatically so that I am not forced to dip into the money I get in the settlement (or my passive income) to live off of. Our cost of living will be decreasing quite a bit in about six months, so that will help, but what tI'm currently earning still wouldn't be enough.

It is possible for me to dramatically increase my income while in my current position... There are a number of things I need to do in order to do so, all of which I'm quite capable of, but for some reason I'm just not doing it. Why am I dragging my feet on something that I want to do? Why have I remained in this state of constant financial stress? For a little while I couldn't do much about it due to my physical condition, but I've been well enough to get going and accomplish the things I need to accomplish at work (that will increase my income dramatically) for months, and I just haven't done it yet. I work on it in short, infrequent spurts, but for some reason I just don't have much momentum even though I know that this is what I need (and want) to do.

My objectives are as follows:

1.) Get through the winter without damaging my credit score. (This is important for my long term goals.)
2.) Do what I need to do ASAP to increase my earnings. (This will take a few months to get off the ground though, even after I do the stuff I need to do.)
3.) Settle this claim before Christmas, pay off what I need to pay with the money, and invest what's left in order to create passive income.


I guess what I'm asking is how to get out of the mental rut... how to stop worrying and start doing... and perhaps how to stop thinking in terms of what I need and start thinking in terms of what I have. How do I change my thought processes in such a way so that my financial struggles will be over?

[Angela]

Joy, I wonder if you might find it more powerful to re-word your intentions so that they inspire and delight you?

As they stand, they sound like they're more about survival, rather than thriving or mastery. I believe the thoughts you have, the words you use, and the promises you make to yourself have tremendous power. What do you think about adding passion and inspiration to what you tell yourself about your intentions?

[Joy]

Originally Posted by Angela

Joy, I wonder if you might find it more powerful to re-word your intentions so that they inspire and delight you?

As they stand, they sound like they're more about survival, rather than thriving or mastery. I believe the thoughts you have, the words you use, and the promises you make to yourself have tremendous power. What do you think about adding passion and inspiration to what you tell yourself about your intentions?

You are so right... I have been living with a survival mentality for too long, and it's time for a change.

The problem that I'm faced with is that it's only big, long term goals (or even longer range short term goals) that inspire me and that I am passionate about. It's the rest of the month and the next few months that I need to work out.

If I brainstorm ways to get out of a survival state of mind, I will be able to come up with something that will change my attitude and perspective which will in turn take away the financial anxiety that's causing my financial struggles. I'll do that.

[Angela]

Rather than brainstorming for a way to get out of survival mode, may I suggest that you brainstorm for ways to get in to inspiration mode?

I think you're caught in a habitual way of being, which involves struggle and magical someday thinking (that is, "I'll be happy when my long-term goals come to fruition" kind of thinking). I invite you to think thoughts and invent possibilities for yourself that are Right Now in their nature.

Have you picked up the books, "Ask and It is Given" (the processes section), and "The Astonishing Power of Emotions"? There are some pretty good tools in there for what I'm talking about.

[Joy]

The concept of being inspired about paying the mortgage (or what ever else is going on in the present) is pretty foreign to me. I am, however, inspired when I think of the ways that small, short range goals bring me closer to my long term goals. Maybe I could make a game out of it? Think of coming up with an extra $1200 in a week and a half (or coming up with another solution) as a challenge?

[NotesMaeve]

Joy, been there, done that. Steve said something I found inspirational: Think of what you want and don't take action until inspired. It's nutty, but works.

[Joy]

How is that different from putting it off until you feel like doing it?

[NotesMaeve]

God! Everything's making me laugh today and I'm SOBER.

Putting it off until you feel like it means you have inspiration, but are not acting on it. I think when you're truly inspired and you've graduated to that level, it's hard to keep still.

[Joy]

For me the problem seems to be short term vs. long term. I think Angela hit the nail on the head though. I've been clinging to my vision for the long term because I've been stuck in survival mode. It's been my light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe I need to start enjoying myself more? Take things more lightly? Don't let small things stress me out?

I'm still brainstorming though. More later.