As we grow up and learn about the world around us, many of us are being unconsciously shaped by the attitudes and beliefs of our parents, grandparents and other family members. That influence extends to our attitude to money and can give us common money blocks. Those beliefs, gained so early in life, impact our relationship with money, often in ways we don’t even realise.
Imagine hearing from a young age that “money doesn’t grow on trees” or that “rich people are greedy.” Such phrases, repeated often enough by people we love and trust, become internalised and form the foundation of our money mindset. These inherited beliefs can lead to feelings of guilt, self-sabotage or a scarcity mindset, making it difficult to achieve financial success and stability. In this blog I’m going to share some common money blocks and how they might be affecting your mindset and beliefs.
1. Money is the root of all evil
This belief often stems from religious or moral teachings and old-fashioned attitudes towards wealth. Hearing this phrase repeatedly can lead to a guilt complex about earning or having money. You might develop a suspicious attitude towards wealth and subconsciously limit yourself, avoiding opportunities that could lead to financial abundance because of a deep-seated fear that money will corrupt you.
2. Rich people are greedy
Are rich people really greedy people? Do they work hard to get where they are, or did they get it all given to them on a plate? Perhaps you’ve grown up thinking that if some people are rich, there’s less money available for everyone else. This mindset often masks a sense of jealousy and a belief that wealth and happiness are mutually exclusive. As a result, you might sabotage your own financial success to avoid appearing greedy or unkind, not realising that these actions stem from an inherited money block.
3. You have to work hard for money
“You have to work really hard for money” is probably something your parents said a lot to encourage you to succeed. While it’s true that hard work is important, this belief can lead to burnout and an unhealthy work/life balance if taken to extremes. Many successful people focus on working efficiently and strategically, rather than just working hard. If you grew up hearing this mantra, you might find yourself overworking without necessarily achieving the financial success you desire.
4. We can’t afford that!
How often did you hear this growing up? Or that “money doesn’t grow on trees”! Being told that certain things were out of your reach time and time again will have instilled a scarcity mindset. This belief can make you overly cautious with money, fearful of spending and hesitant to take financial risks. That mindset can in turn limit your potential to grow wealth and enjoy financial freedom, as you might constantly believe that there’s never enough money.
Strategies to overcome inherited money blocks
To understand and overcome inherited money blocks, you need to reflect on your personal journey and beliefs. Identify the beliefs that have shaped your money story and consider how they’ve affected your financial behaviour in the past. Once you recognise these limiting beliefs, you can start to reframe them. You may want to seek guidance from a money mindset coach who can help you navigate and clear these blocks. By transforming your mindset when it comes to money, you can unlock new opportunities for financial growth and abundance.
If you’re ready to overcome your inherited money blocks and create a healthier relationship with money, then please get in touch. I’d love to help you on your journey to financial freedom and success, so let’s chat!