Blogging for Change

Mind over money: The power of positive thinking

by Jessica Horton on
11/16/2011
in Personal Finance

When taking the steps to improve your financial situation, one of the biggest hurdles you will encounter has nothing to do with money and everything to do with your mindset. And with the holidays swiftly approaching, it’s important to remember that the power of positive thinking isn’t something that should be underestimated.

Stress – especially financial stress – is commonplace during the holiday season; however, you can control the impact it has by making a conscious decision to focus on the positive. This is always easier said than done, so here are a few tips to help you keep your mind and your money on the right track:

Set realistic goals. Take some time to sit down and really think about your financial goals. Set yourself up for success by breaking them down into realistic, attainable steps. Mastering one small step at a time you will help you remain motivated to reach your ultimate financial goal.

Celebrate your achievements. Allow yourself to take pride in your accomplishments – no matter how small they may seem. Congratulate yourself for sticking to your monthly budget or even for taking the initiative to create a monthly budget. The satisfaction you get from these achievements will help you build upon your successes. 

Accept the fact that you aren’t perfect. You will face setbacks that will threaten to derail you. These are an inevitable fact of life. But regardless of when or where you get sidetracked, you don’t have to give up and admit defeat. We all make mistakes, and that’s OK. If you ever feel discouraged you can listen to our new podcast series featuring inspirational success stories from some of our clients.

“Today I am thankful for _____.” Get in the habit of forcing yourself to complete this sentence with a different word every day. This will give you the opportunity to shift your mindset from focusing on what you don’t have to focusing on what you do have.  This is a great practice for those times you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. It’s a simple task that will help you take a step back and re-assess your priorities.

Download our free eBook: Managing Debt to Improve Your Mental Wealth. This resource will help you better understand the far-reaching impact of financial issues. If you understand the way debt impacts your entire life – from your relationships to your health – it can help you understand the feelings you may be experiencing. It’s a great starting point to ultimately making the necessary mental changes that will allow you to succeed on the journey to financial freedom.

Jessica Horton is a former copywriter and community manager at MMI.

Recommended Articles

Man sitting in front of pile of bills, trying to understand his options.
Professional Budget Advice
Make the most of every dollar and start building toward your dreams! Budget counseling is FREE and available 24/7.
Learn More
Learn more
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.