Financial Vitality: Springtime Journey to Vitality 2021
This past week, our Springtime Journey to Vitality focus was the Financial Vitality domain, and the conversations set us up for future success. As usual there were a lot of open, candid reflections on why we are where we are—learned behaviors and limiting beliefs, challenges, and real-life experiences. We also built consensus on the building blocks to financial well-being for ourselves and our families.
One prominent theme was maintaining a positive abundance mindset: sincerely knowing that there are solutions and infinite possibilities. We reflected on how to get unstuck and how to feel deserving of an abundant future.
“THE BIGGEST THING IN THE POVERTY MINDSET IS THAT WE FEEL LIKE WE’RE STUCK, AND WE’RE AFRAID, AND IT’S KINDA ALL THE NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS OF DEALING WITH OUR FINANCES . . . WHEREAS ABUNDANCE [MINDSET] IS THAT THERE IS PLENTY FOR EVERYONE . . . EVERYBODY CAN EXPERIENCE THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUNDANCE.”
“ABUNDANCE MINDSET CAN OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES, WHILE COMING FROM FEAR, THOSE OPPORTUNITIES MIGHT BE MISSED.”
Once we reduced the mental barriers, the strategies came into focus. Some ideas generated through conversations in this week on Financial Vitality:
Teach our children financial literacy and responsibility without instilling fear. Many of us learned the hard way about things like credit and money management. By practicing new strategies and utilizing useful tips and resources, we can teach our children financial responsibility with an uplifting, positive abundance mindset.
Be open to fun, exciting second jobs or consulting opportunities that assist in building your holistic vitality rather than eating up your spare time. In Thursday’s webinar, host Sarita Sashington spoke from her own experiences about how her side gigs to supplement income in the home eventually led to her role at Be Strong Families!
Strategize—and discipline the details. Starting with a “yes I / we can” instead of a “it’s a pipe dream and will probably never happen” is key to putting legs on your dreams. Then you need a realistic action plan for making it happen. Whether that involves changing careers, asking for a raise, withdrawing from dependency relationships, or just budgeting and going on a discretionary spending diet—only you know.
“I HAVE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TOWARDS REDUCING AND ELIMINATING DEBT, AND I STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO, BUT I CAN SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND AFTER A YEAR I’M LOOKING AT THESE BALANCES THAT WENT FROM ALMOST MAX TO FEELING LIKE I’VE GOT SOME BREATHING ROOM!”
“MY FINANCIAL VITALITY IS BETTER NOW AND I FEEL MORE ORGANIZED NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING TO MY ROTH IRA SINCE 2019 AND I HAVE ALSO PAID OFF ALL MY DEBTS EXCEPT FOR MY MORTGAGE.”
“I THINK I’VE BEEN SPENDING MORE MONEY IN THE LAST YEAR, BUT THAT’S BECAUSE OF BEING IN A TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN I’M MOVING AND GETTING SETTLED IN MARRIED LIFE. I FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN SPENDING MORE MONEY, BUT IT’S BEEN IN AN INTENTIONAL WAY AND I’M BEING STRATEGIC ABOUT THOSE PURCHASES.”
Allow the universe to partner with you on your dreams. After you have done your part, with financial discipline and positive mindset, you may find surprising doors opening.
“Imagine feeling as though the world is working with you, not against you. Imagine a day in which you make every green light and slip effortlessly into a parking spot in the most crowded part of town. You make a To Do list, and the people on it call you first. You turn on the radio just in time to hear the exact information you need. These meaningful coincidences, called synchronicity, are sure signs you are "in the flow."
Based on new, groundbreaking research, The Power of Flow goes beyond other books on synchronicity to provide you with 16 easy-to-understand techniques that allow you to access this magical state of flow and create a richer, more satisfying life.” – Source
The realization emerging out of all the conversations is that Financial Vitality can be intimately connected with the spiritual, mental/emotional, physical, social, and environmental vitality domains. Not saying money can buy happiness but that happiness can result in both more money and more financial wellbeing and life satisfaction. Poverty is a difficult reality—it is also a mindset. This week was about liberation and envisioning a possibility of financial freedom.
If you’re interested in joining us for more conversations during our Springtime Journey to Vitality, register for a week of webinars where we explore Social Vitality!
Want to see more of the conversations from our Financial Vitality week? Check out the recordings and slides below:
Monday, April 26, 2021, at 12:00pm CT
What does Financial Vitality Feel Like to You? with Katthe Wolf
Recordings | Presentation Slides
Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 12:00pm CT
Small Steps to Big Dreams with Guy Schingoethe
Recordings | Presentation Slides
Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 12:00pm CT
Children and Financial Vitality: The Greenlight Card with Alexandra James and Robyn Harvey
Recordings | Presentation Slides
Thursday, April 29, 2021, at 12:00pm CT
Side Gigs and Living for the Hustle with Sarita Sashington
Recordings | Presentation Slides