There is one [movie line] that stands out for me. It comes from Oliver Stone’s Wall Street, when the Charlie Sheen character — a promising big shot in the stock market — is telling his girlfriend about his dreams. “I think if I can make a bundle of cash before I’m thirty and get out of this racket,” he says, “I’ll be able to ride my motorcycle across China.” When I first saw this scene … I nearly fell out of my seat in astonishment. Charlie Sheen or anyone else could work for eight months as a toilet cleaner and have enough money to ride a motorcycle across China. The thing is, most Americans probably wouldn’t find this movie scene odd. – Rolf Potts
Have you ever said to yourself:
- “It’s not until I’m making X amount of dollars per month, until I can take a trip to…”
- “I can’t afford to shop at the nicer grocery store”
- “Paying for a coach/tutor/instructor is too expensive right now”
- “I want to go back to school, but don’t want the debt”
The above examples are money scripts, or, beliefs you’ve formed about money that are not necessarily true. The common trait that all of the money scripts have is each associate having an experience, with money. This type of mindset has a tendency to put life in a holding pattern. It’s like you’re always waiting for something, never enjoying today.
Breaking Through
In order to have a breakthrough, you must break something. The question I’m trying to answer is what tactical steps can you take to disassociate money with experience.
Here are some of my ideas:
- On Wednesday of each week, take 30 minutes to plan the weekend. Schedule what exactly want you to do, in the morning, daytime, and night.
- Make a list of 20 things you’ve always wanted to do that costs less than $50. Stop saying to yourself that you don’t have enough money, until you’ve completed that entire list.
- Make a list of things you don’t have to be, have, or do. For example, I don’t have own a nice car, buy furniture to just fill space, say yes to every social engagement, respond to the 50+ emails I have right now, go to grad school to get a proper business education, buy cable,
What are your ideas? What tactical things can someone do to disassociate experience with money? My goal here is to use the comments to expand on this idea. Let your voice be heard.
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Photo by: Xlibiber
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great point. I think it comes down to setting priorities and saving thoughtfully for what you truly value.
You can start doing a cost/benefit analysis, just like economics. Is being broke worse than being less experienced? Are you going to be without money for a long time if you engage in a certain experience? Go out and do it! Experience first, ask questions later.
I was told once that money comes and goes-if you do not have money today, tomorrow you will definitely have but you won’t be young forever. So from time to time, forget about the money and planning issues and go for things that you’ve always wanted to do- plan a holiday(take advantage of promotional packages). buy the car you always wanted to have(don’t have the money?buy a second hand one), buy the designer dress you’ve had your eyes on(can’t afford a new one? look for pre-owned ones on eBay)