“There are a lot of things you don't control.
You don't get to pick your parents.
You don't get to pick the country you are born in.
You don't get to pick your given talent.
You don't get to pick the test.
You don't control where you start, but you can change where you go.”
– Shane Parrish
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and grow from challenges.
Financial resilience is your ability to withstand and embrace hardships - to confidently take on the waves of financial uncertainty that most of us face throughout life and know you will come out on the other side even stronger than before.
Now is a perfect time to pause and consider a shift, because how you feel about money, and the stress it carries, impacts your health, your relationships, and your self worth.
A recent survey revealed a startling fact: one-third of adults across the globe possess savings that can cover their expenses for just one week. These challenging economic times are deeply unstable for so many, and a lack of financial security fuels anxiety and a sense of helplessness.
Our families (and zip code) can have a lasting impact on our future stability. While I was incredibly lucky to grow up in a loving and secure family, I did not learn key life skills for managing money and the importance of financial discipline. But I did have parents who modeled and taught us high standards, determination and a strong work ethic which underpins resilience.
So I got part of what I needed. The rest I continue to sort through on my own.
what about you?
Getting curious is a great first step to more calm. Not just about your spending habits, but how you feel and your unconscious money influences. You possess the power to reshape your money-related stress by defining who you want to be and what you value.
What unique circumstances, strengths, and chinks in your armor were you born into? Are you curious how they impact your emotions and mindset about money?
Your money mindset is how you think about money—how to earn, lose, and manage it, as well as its importance in your life. These thoughts are connected to the stress and anxiety we feel about our finances.
Reflect on your spending habits, how your friends and family influence your spending, and how certain emotions track with more or less spending. These influences carry clues to getting on track for financial well-being, and moving from stress to resilience.
Are you surrounded by people who think they can never save or pay off debt and are all about accepting what life gives them? If you're constantly surrounded by people who accept financial limitations, it's likely you'll adopt the same mindset, lacking motivation for improvement. Do your friends push you to overspend or dine out frequently? It's easy to get caught up in other's behavior and not realize its effect on you.
Or maybe your circle of influence are people who also want to build towards financial stability, and you can help each other to be motivated to achieve your goals.
