Money is a representation of our life’s energy.
The money in our pocket is 18 hours under the sun or in the office that can be traded for things, experiences or feelings that make us happy. My life’s work is helping people decide where and how to allocate this energy in order to experience joy.
A story
I recently had a client come into the office to drop off some paperwork. The conversation began around document review but then quickly progressed as I noted a change in tone. There was a feeling of anxiety, fear – a fear of losing money. Even though this person is a great saver and operates a successful business, there was a lingering fear. As I listened, I uncovered that there was actually a reluctance toward any spending at all. Fear had instilled a “financial paralysis.”
Financial paralysis also meant an equal paralysis of happiness. No energy, no joy, could move in or out until we uncovered a cure. To try and uncover this cure, we talked. In fact, the simplicity of a frank conversation ended up building the right path to alleviating fear.
As I listened, I learned. I learned how 10 years of business, ups and downs had brought them to this place. How they perceived investments, savings, and spending programs was only hindering the energy they could expend on joy.
The “ah ha” moment wasn’t a single phrase or piece of advice. Rather, it was the energy I had put in to starting a conversation, listening, and building a platform together where we were equals. A frank conversation that brought us together, helped us understand each other, and allowed the fear to subside.
Honest, transparent, comfortable conversations are the cure to financial paralysis.
We met in the middle. We discussed dreams, concerns and goals. The energy that had been tied down by fear was now free to accumulate joy – all because of a simple conversation.
