I remember what it felt like to be broke—really broke. Paycheck to paycheck, constant worry, scrambling to pay bills, and the fear of looking at my bank account. It was as if not acknowledging the problem would make it disappear, as though avoidance was some kind of solution. But there came a day, a defining moment, when I had to face the truth: ignoring my finances wasn’t just keeping me broke, it was keeping me stuck.
Looking at Your Money When You Don’t Want To
The hardest lesson I had to learn, and one I want to share with you today, is this: you need to look at your money, especially when you don’t want to. Facing those numbers, no matter how bad they seem, is the first step toward changing them. You can’t fix what you don’t see. That fear of checking your balance, that anxiety around your bills? It’s natural, but it’s holding you back.
What changed for me was realizing that my finances didn’t define me. Just because I was broke didn’t mean I was worthless or destined to stay that way. Being broke is a circumstance, not a character trait. And circumstances, no matter how tough, are always temporary.
Change Starts With Measurement
You can only improve what you measure. This isn’t just a cliché; it’s a fact. You need to know exactly where you stand financially. What’s coming in, what’s going out, and where you can make adjustments. It’s uncomfortable, especially when the reality isn’t pretty, but it’s essential.
I had to sit down with my bank statements, income slips, and bills. It felt like a punch to the gut. I wanted to look away so badly, but I forced myself to stay. And you know what? That act of looking—of really seeing where my money was going—was the moment everything began to change. I could finally start making decisions, not from a place of fear, but from a place of clarity.
Your Circumstances Don’t Define Your Value
Here’s the thing: your financial situation today, no matter how grim, isn’t a reflection of your potential. Just because you’re struggling right now doesn’t mean you’re doomed to struggle forever. Your value to the world isn’t tied to the numbers in your bank account. You are so much more than that.
This was a tough lesson for me to accept. There were times when I felt like I was drowning in debt, stuck in a low-paying job, and that this was just how my life would be. But that’s not true. That’s a story fear tells you to keep you small. The truth is, you have the power to change your circumstances, but it starts with one simple, brave act: facing them.
The Power of Ownership
When you own your reality, no matter how uncomfortable, you give yourself power over it. And that’s where transformation begins. I started by creating a simple budget, tracking every dollar I earned and spent. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t even easy. But it was empowering. I could see where I was making progress, even if it was slow at first. I was in control for the first time in my life.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, I understand. But I want you to know that the act of looking at your finances is the most powerful thing you can do. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about reclaiming control over your life.
This Isn’t the End of Your Story
Where you are now is temporary. It doesn’t determine where you’ll end up. I went from broke and scared to building a business that changed my life. But that shift didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen by avoiding the hard stuff. It happened when I finally faced the truth about my money and took responsibility for it.
So, if you’re struggling right now, take a deep breath and look at your finances. Face them head-on, because that’s where your power lies. It might be uncomfortable today, but it’s the first step toward a better tomorrow.
Change starts with measurement. And where you are now? That’s just the beginning.