(An excerpt from the book "A FINANCIAL MINUTE" by Jenifer Madson)

We're not responsible for what comes into our heads; we're responsible for what we do with it. —Anonymous

We have looked at deliberate acts of financial thought: examining your story, exercising faith, focusing on a new future, and generating gratitude. But what do you do with random ideas that oppose what you're trying to accomplish?

You start with a willingness to be curious: to challenge your thoughts first, and make your mind up about them later. As you investigate new thoughts about money, your old beliefs may rise up to fight the information because it doesn't fit what you think you know. You will overcome the tendency to drop back into old thought patterns when you learn to notice the resistance, stay curious, examine new angles of thought, and then decide your course of action. Too often we close viable avenues for growth with what's known as "contempt prior to investigation."

Take A Minute:
• Read the next three statements. As soon as you've read one, write down a limiting belief associated with it:

I need to track my spending.
__________________________________________________ _

I need to figure out how to invest.
__________________________________________________ _

I want to make more money.
__________________________________________________ _


Make A Minute:
Go back and apply these three steps to your responses above to get you beyond your limiting beliefs to thoughts that serve you:

• Step One: Get Curious
Take notice of your limiting belief. Just notice, don't judge it. Say, "I'm curious. Where did that come from?"

• Step Two: Examine the thought
Ask yourself "How does this thought support me and how does it hold me back?"

• Step Three: Find empowering alternatives
Ask yourself "What’s another way to look at this?" Look for an alternative way to approach the situation.

Thoughts come into your mind at lightning speed, day in and day out, while you're asleep and while you're awake. You can't control them, but you can choose what you do with them. Get in the habit of challenging your thoughts by practicing these steps and you'll find more options and strategies for your life than you ever thought possible!