What is Empowerment?
Simply put, empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights. Sounds nice, right?
I recently had the chance to revisit a book that encompasses much of the same views and thoughts I have around empowerment and finances. A Happy Pocket Full of Money states this:
“True wealth is not about buckets of cash, designer clothes, a new Mercedes, nor living in a palatial estate. True wealth is about discovering value within yourself and value within other people. It is about a kind of conscious living that incorporates gratitude, a belief in abundance, and the experience of joy.”
Makes you think.
Embracing a Mindset of Abundance
When you really boil it down, abundance is a very large quantity of something. This could be an abundance of things, of ideas, of emotions… you get the picture. When you take abundance and apply it to your mindset, this really refers to the paradigm that there is plenty out there for everyone.
Many of us naturally take towards a limiting belief mindset without even realizing it. We focus on competition, we fight for what we want, we fundamentally view things as having limits and not enough space for us all. But with an abundance mindset, you can flip this script upside down.
I also want to address the toxic positivity many people focus on today. An abundance mindset is not about simply putting on a happy face and acting like there is room for your desires and goals - even when you don’t truly believe that. It is not a simple equation of believing you have an abundance of finances and then living life as though you do.
It’s about changing your views to appreciate things instead of limiting them. Appreciation, increasing the value of something, can be applied to so many different aspects of your life. Focus on good health, supportive friends, opportunities, new experiences, and more.
Looking to nature is another wonderful way to gain perspective on the natural world of abundance. Nature shows us so many examples of this, from grains of sand on a beach and leaves on a tree to blades of grass in a field, stars in the night sky, and the water freely running through oceans, streams, and rivers. Spending time in nature can teach you many lessons about life and can destress you in so many ways.
Getting Started With The Natural Process
Wanting to empower yourself with money and an abundance mindset is step one. Step two is actually doing it. How does one achieve this transformation? It’s a natural process that develops on each building block of the following. While there is always something new to learn, start with these pieces and remember to refine the process as you go.
1. Observe your current situation
The simple act of paying attention to things can completely transform your outlook and life.
Ask yourself honestly, what are your true beliefs surrounding money? Do you believe there is more than enough, or do you take the approach that there’s never enough? You may believe money doesn’t grow on trees or that only greedy people have lots of money. Write down your thoughts on the topic.
Next, observe your natural habits and patterns with money. Do you struggle with finances, or do you approach the topic with ease? Do you always seem to have more bills than you can afford? Get a pulse on your experience with money and be honest with yourself. Observation and honesty are key.
2. Create Your Desires
While everyone’s situation and life circumstances are different, understanding the power your mindset has over reality is a real gift. When you imagine a life you want to live, you can begin to adjust different areas of your life to support that world. If you want a different life, you’ll need to start by envisioning a new one: something must shift if you want a different experience.
Imagination is a very basic, yet integral part of becoming wealthy. While this may not be your usual practice, get into the habit of dreaming up this new life/scenario that you desire. Write down good ideas and inspiration as soon as you get them. Seek to be open and notice new goals as you desire them. The power of lifestyle visualization is key to following through on set goals. You must go beyond the goal and visualize the lifestyle that could come with that.
3. Experience The Life You Imagined
Hard work alone is not the key to success and wealth. Where there is joy, creation is abundant.
Gratitude + Certainty + Joy = the perfect formula for creating a life you love
- Gratitude for the many blessings you already have right now.
- Certainty that there is more than enough for everyone to succeed in life and the universe has infinite ways to support us.
- Living from a space of true joy as often as possible, taking ownership for the life you create for yourself.
To experience this life, do the things that are within your control. This could include things like setting up a debt payment plan and starting to focus on accumulation, paying your bills with gratitude and appreciation for the exchange you received, or spending more time in nature - surrounded by the natural abundance that exists all around us.
4 Harness The Power Of Affirmations And Financial Empowerment
Affirmations are proven to have a positive impact on those who use them. Whether you currently practice affirmations or aren’t sure where to start, try saying some of these affirmations out loud and truly believing the power they have.
- I have more than enough time, energy, and money.
- I see opportunities circulating all around me.
- I trust myself and I trust my intuition.
- Money flows to me from multiple sources.
- Money is always there for me.
- I am willing to grow and feel discomfort.
- I create space to allow for new opportunities to emerge.
- I allow my income to constantly expand.
- I am receiving now.
- I give gratitude for my gifts. These gifts are my abundance.
- Life supports me.
- I am upgrading my life now.
- I am here to thrive.
Holly Mann
Holly Mann
Personal Success Coach
Founder of Fresh Habits: freshhabits.net
I am on a mission to facilitate meaningful conversations that encourage individuals to upgrade and expand their habits and routines which will ultimately allow them to live life at their fullest potential!
