Breaking Free of Poverty Mindset – Here’s to My New Money Shoes

posted 1st December 2011    Written by: Dusti    CATEGORY: All Posts, Dusti, Job/Career/Work, Money, Season 5, Tips & Tools

“What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us.” – Julia Cameron

Money hasn’t been an easy subject for me for a long time. When I was a kid, I was a saver. But my mom would “borrow” my money, so I learned to spend it when I had it.

Now, I owe $30,000 in student loan debt, due to start being paid back in June. And a baby due February 29th. As you can imagine, “I got my mind on the money, and the money on my mind.”

I even had this (stupid, stupid) idea that would have allowed me to spend the year justifying making a limited amount of income. If that isn’t self-sabotage, I don’t know what is.

Earlier this year, I was talking to a couple of friends who had already broken the 6-figure boundary the year before. It was crazy to thin they were doing things not so different than what I was doing – they were just doing them on a bigger, more frequent scale. They were pursuing their dreams – but they knew their dreams had dollar amounts attached to them. But it all seemed so far out of reach. I couldn’t imagine $30K a year, let alone adding an extra zero.

As a would-be entrepreneur, I knew I had to do better if I wanted to make a living doing what I loved. But how? Where the heck do you even start when your perception of money is so warped? A friend said it best – “Your people like you. They want to see you succeed.”

Talking with Molly cemented it. She recommended Overcoming Underearning and I Will Teach You To Be Rich – and I pass that recommendation on to you! Ramit’s tips are solid gold. (Heh.) And Barbara’s are great, too – especially if your problems with money stems from a fear of failure (or success).

My financial goals for next year are ambitious and exciting. Now, I know I deserve to earn more than minimum wage. I’ve got skills! Even more than that, I have the confidence to know I’m worth more.

Danielle LaPorte talks about your money shoes – you can only earn what you’re comfortable with. And $50,000 is a very comfortable starting point for me these days. My goal for my business next year: Breaking the big $100K.

One hundred thousand dollars. $100,000. A hundred G’s.

When I imagine my life, I think about how exciting it will be to pay off my student loans. Zero debt. Automating my bills and savings. Having savings. Starting a retirement fund. Donating to causes I believe in! Visiting France. Ooh la la!

When I close my eyes, I can picture myself doing each one of these things with elegance and joy.

This past year, my business made more than I’ve ever made in a year before. And I’ve only been in business – really – since June. That feels sooo good. To know that I can do what I love, make an amount of money I’m comfortable with, and not be afraid of wealth anymore – those are some pretty sexy money shoes.

What about you? How is your perception of money treating you?

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Comments (4)

4 Responses to “Breaking Free of Poverty Mindset – Here’s to My New Money Shoes”

  • laurenne Says:
    December 1st, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    YES! It is all such a state of mind, and it seems like you have now found the one that can only bring you success! Hooray!

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    December 2nd, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Thanks Laurenne! It's so freaking exciting. I can't even describe the difference in how it feels to have made this journey. Definitely one of the best things about 2011!

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    December 3rd, 2011 at 7:39 am

    Congrats! I need to read those LIKE RIGHT NOW! I know that a fear of failure (and success) holds me back and has kept me under my earning potential for years. Not exactly fair to myself. I have been planning an Etsy shop (but not actually doing anything about it) for a year. Ridiculous. I need to do it, and I need to rock it. Thank you for the kick in the pants (and an updated reading list). I also recommend Boss of You.

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    December 3rd, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    Thanks Erin!

    And dude, get on that Etsy shop! That would be banging way to roll into the new year – just saying. ;)

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