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"I want to coach, counsel, educate, and bring laughter. That's it. When I think of empowerment of both myself and others, this is my sole purpose that makes my spirit sing and soar. What's yours?" ~EnvisionCo Blog. (2022 January 30) Intentionally Purposeful
Intentionality can be applied to any domain or dimension of living. Which is why we cannot round out a discussion about mindfulness and emotional balance and their practical application in financial money management without delving into our intentions and our values. As we learned last article, our financial journeys are often accompanied by a range of emotions including those intense overwhelming emotions that affect our ability to make rational and informed financial decisions. Becoming aware of and in tune with our emotions enables us to dam up the emotional floodgates thus empowering us to get in control over our money. We strengthen our emotional balance by clarifying our intentions and reconnecting with our deepest values.
What Are Intentions?
Intentions are the thoughts or impulses that drive our behavior whereas values are the expressions of what we really care about. Intentions are like this invisible force that precedes all behavior. Even when we are not aware of how our intentions drive our behavior, they remain the force that defines the quality of what we think, what we say, and what we do.
Remember my MRI example from, "How Mindful is Your Wallet? Mindfulness and Money Management"? Before any of us scratch and itch, there is an intention to do so. Before any action, no matter how trivial we may deem it, there's an intention that precedes it. This is why noticing or awareness is so important. You can't scratch while in an MRI machine (trust me I know). Noticing such discomfort in such a situation sets the stage to teach us that we can tolerate the discomforts that sometimes presents themselves to us as urgent. If we ride out the discomfort without reacting, eventually the itch goes away. Each time we can delay mindless reactions to minor discomforts, we increase our ability to exercise our restraint and our willpower. This includes everything, but especially how we handle our finances.
"It isn't uncommon to hear someone say after a stressful event, 'I just need a little retail therapy.'" ~EnvisionCo Blog. (2023 January 22) You bought what? Retail Therapy or Shopaholic
When we exercise the practice of noticing and awareness, it increases our possibility for choice. Certain behaviors, even shopping or spending behaviors, can seem to happen robotically as if we're in some sort of trance. I can't tell you the number of times that things just suddenly hopped into my shopping cart. The truth is, during those times, we are in a trance; it is the trance of unawareness. Without awareness, there is no choice only habitual reactions. Can you see now how closely related intentions, noticing, awareness, and finances can be?
When we clearly set our intentions, it's like putting a spotlight on what truly matters in our lives – or rediscovering it in some cases. This brings a mindful awareness to how we want to live and what really holds value for us, whether it's our health, emotional well-being, parenting, relationships, or our finances.
Imagine your financial journey as a car ride, and your intentions are the steering wheel that guides you towards your desired destination. Your financial intentions act as the force that keeps your attention on the road ahead, preventing you from veering off course or getting distracted by financial pitfalls. While your past financial history, experiences, and challenges may exert pressure from behind, your financial intentions position you in the driver’s seat. They empower you to take control, providing the forward momentum needed to navigate towards your financial goals.
Now What About Values?
Our personal values are our deeply held beliefs and principles that help guide our behavior, choices, and actions. Values are the things we stand for. Values are the things we believe in and are willing to support and fight for. Values are the roadmap for the kind of life we aspire to live. When we both know and prioritize our values, we reduce stress, strengthen our willpower, increase our openness to other ideals, decrease our biases, and reduce our defensiveness. The more our choices are lined up with our values, the better we generally feel. Negative emotions such as guilt, regret, agitation, worry, paranoia, mistrust, fear, and defensiveness are less like to flood us emotionally when we are living in accordance with our defined values. In other words, the less aligned our lives are with our personal values the more vulnerable we are to becoming emotionally imbalanced.
What Are Your Values?
Family | Personal Growth | Entrepreneurship | Authenticity |
Trust | Independence | Peace | Respect |
Grateful | Patience | Sharing | Philanthropy |
Security | Expressiveness | Generational Wealth | Kindness |
Hospitality | Generosity | Gratitude | Retirement Planning |
Compassion | Education | Debt-Free Living | Benevolence |
Our values form the bedrock upon which our financial decisions are built. Even our spending habits are a reflection of our values. If family is a priority for us, we may find ourselves allocating resources for shared experiences. If personal growth is crucial, investments in education or self-improvement may take priority. Our aspirations, whether it's buying a home, starting a business, or giving back to our communities, are deeply intertwined with what we value most. Aligning our financial goals with our values not only provides clarity but also fuels the motivation needed to achieve them.
Bringing mindfulness into our money game opens the door to intentional choices and breaks free from autopilot reactions. By noticing, being aware, setting intentions, and aligning with our values, we create a strong link between emotional balance and financial decisions. It empowers us to withstand discomforts, fostering resilience and strengthening willpower. Adding mindfulness is like strapping on a financial superhero cape, giving us the strength to stay cool and make savvy choices. Our intentions and values aren't just theories; they drive the quality of our financial decisions, aligning us with our authentic selves as we navigate our financial journey. But please remember, wherever you are on this wellness journey, do not worry about getting it perfect; just get it going. Until next time. Happy reading!
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Have you received your $25 bonus from SoFi for signing up for a new SoFi Checking and Savings account? Or did you opt for the Ally Bank experience instead? Many are discovering the challenge at different points. When did you start and what week are you on in the 52-Week Money Challenge? Or have you decided to skip savings and jump right into the world of investing through a SoFi Invest account? Share your journey in the comment section below. We'd love to hear from you. |
"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver." ~Ayn Rand
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