How many times did your parents tell you they couldn’t afford (name the item)? How many times have you said the same statement yourself? How many times have you had a dream to do something (give to a charity, go on a mission trip, take a big vacation, get additional education for yourself, pay for your kid’s college, etc.), but had to dismiss it because you thought you couldn’t afford it?

I recently watched an interview with Robert Kiyosaki. In the interview, he talked about how his biological father, who he called he called his “poor dad” frequently said he couldn’t afford things. Robert said his friend’s father, which he called his “rich dad” didn’t say he couldn’t afford something. He would ask the question of how he could afford it. Robert explained that the reason that each of them responded the way they did was because of their outlook on life and their abilities. He said his biological father had a Ph. D. and taught in the Hawaiian public school system. His friend’s father was a business owner and entrepreneur. Robert explained because his dad worked in a job as an employee. As an employee, he worked for a paycheck and benefits. His friend’s dad wasn’t an employee and didn’t get a paycheck or have benefits that were part of his contract. Since his biological father’s income and benefits were constricted by his employer, he wasn’t able to earn more money or increase his benefits at will. Whereas, his friend’s father could increase his income through whatever entrepreneurial business he started or start another business.

Robert goes on to say that someone whose income is limited tends to use words like “I can’t afford that”, “we don’t have the money for that”, “it would be nice if we had the money to do that”, etc. The person who can earn money through an entrepreneurial operation tends to use words like “how can I get the money for that?”, and other similar questions. A conclusion between these two types of individuals is one uses a statement and the other a question. To that point, it can be said that a statement closes the mind, but a question opens it. Henry Ford is credited with the quote “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”. So, a lot of what you say can predestine how you think about your money and finances. Typically, a negative outlook causes you to look at them from a scarcity mindset, whereas, a positive view changes things to an attainable expectation.

Other words often used by the majority of employees include “we’ll just charge it”, “how much are the payments”, “ooh, we can get zero-percent financing on that”, “we can afford that payment”, “maybe I’ll win the lottery”, “no one from our neighborhood ever gets out of here”, “we have a poor school system here, so we’ll never be able to get ahead, etc. Hopefully, you see how those kinds of statements close the mind of the one saying it as well as those hearing it. Essentially, these kinds of statements become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The other thing about the words you use is they begin to become your identity. When they’re your identity, you start living into that identity. If the words you use are negative and defeating, you’ll look at the world through the eyes of someone who’s a victim and has no control over their life. On the other hand, if you use words that are uplifting, positive, and goal-oriented, you’ll see yourself as that person. Seeing yourself as that person will cause you to take the necessary steps to meet the identity you see yourself becoming.

To change the trajectory of your money, financial future, and your life, as well as that of your family, you need to begin to change the words that you use towards your money, your finances, and your future. Dr. Steve Maraboli said, “My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me.” Reflect on those words and decide to change the words you use about your current circumstances and your future. You do not and probably will not be able to instantly turn 180 degrees in your vocabulary. But, start small by saying “Good Morning” and believing that it is a good morning. Then, as you talk about your money and finances, be alert to catch yourself using diminishing words and phrases. When you hear yourself saying them, pause for a moment and restate what you said. Also, be conscious of making statements vs. asking questions to find a way to accomplish what you’re trying to do.

Each day as you consciously work on using positive and inquisitive words to look at your finances, money, and life, you’ll begin to routinely use those words and others like them. As time goes on, you should begin to notice your overall outlook and daily life become brighter. I’m not going to sugarcoat things by saying every day will be wonderful. Life will happen and it may hurt, but those days will begin looking like an inconvenience instead of a calamity. James Clear said, “you do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your system”. With that in mind, change your words to improve your system so you can reach the goals you were created to achieve.

I hope today’s blog was encouraging to you and provided information to help you and others better handle their financial matters. My purpose through these blogs is to inform the reader about money and financial issues so that we all can become better managers of our assets. If you like what you read, make sure to sign up so you can receive my weekly posts. The goal of Take Two Financial Coaching is to provide the necessary information to help families and individuals break the chains of debt, build lasting wealth, and become outrageously generous.

For those who are tired of being in the rat race or just want to better manage what they earn, I am available to have a Free 60 Minute Conversation to discuss your situation and how I can help you change it. Go to my calendar at https://ramseycoach.com/taketwofinancialcoaching to arrange a time that works for you. You can also email me at taketwofinancialcoaching@gmail.