The following blog is by Amy Jo Lauber originally published on her blog page.

How much does it cost?
How much does it pay?
How much do you owe?
How much did it grow?
How much have you saved?

Enough.

Enough with the endless questions, the pressure, the anxiety, the stress, the worry.
Enough of the fear.
Let’s be done with that, because no one makes good decisions when they’re afraid. No matter your IQ, no one is exempt from fear and fear makes itself at home in your brain when it comes to money.

Now breathe.
Again.

You can do this, and you can do this not only better but remarkably well. It all comes down to defining for yourself

“What is enough?”

No one else can or should define this for you, and if you’ve been letting others do so, it’s time to put on some financial blinders and say “Phooey! I’m doing it my way.”

Our emotions can wreak havoc with our finances, that’s because emotions have a way of changing, resulting in our wandering and squandering when it comes to money.

Sound financial stewardship relies on listening to our emotions (no sense in ignoring them) coupled with focused, purposeful, and consistent choices. I know this seems like a lot of work but, believe me, once you change your money attitude, it becomes much easier.

You certainly can tackle your finances on your own, but hiring a financial planner can help, especially if you feel like you’re in the middle of the woods and have no way of knowing the way out. Yet another question: “Which way should I go?”

I can help point you in the right direction so you can gain control, focus, and start walking the path of financial empowerment.

But make no mistake, it’ll be work on your part, too. You are the one, after all, who has to choose to walk out of the woods.

Some people prefer to stay in the woods for any number of reasons but typically it’s because they know the woods, and stepping out of them means taking a risk.

There’s also the regret for remaining in the woods as long as they have and, rather than face that regret, they remain in that place.

Some people remain stuck and yet others choose to change their lives. Why? This article from MindBodyGreen tells a great story about life choices, courage, risk and playing the electric violin (and why is it I’ve read not one but two articles this week about Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider?).

I heard an interview on Laura Aiisha’s Get Up Movement with Julia Roy. Ms. Roy, founder of Work Hacks talked about how the brain’s main function is to conserve energy, so it creates habits so many of life’s activities can be put on autopilot in order for the brain to be creative. Putting too many demands on your brain (through too many choices or having to answer too many questions, for example) causes your brain to stall out.

Huh.
Maybe that’s why enrollment declines in 401(k) plans when there are too many investment options; too many choices, too many chances of not choosing the “right” ones.

Maybe this is why I’ve put off taking our dog to the vet; they bombard me with vaccination options and frankly I don’t know what is necessary or I’m just being sold a bunch of stuff. Not cool. The reminders come in every couple of months. They sit on our telephone stand. I love my dog, but I don’t know what to do.

Define “enough.”
Define “good.”
Define “right.”

So my question to you is: If you have been wandering and squandering, and you’re done being stuck, is now the time to commit to taking one step? If so, contact me for a complimentary initial consultation and pick up a copy of Living Inspired and Financially Empowered.

Photos courtesy of ClipArt.

About the author: My mission: I help people make good financial decisions with confidence. My purpose: I help people find peace with money. As President of Lauber Financial Planning, I provide financial advice, guidance and coaching on a fee only basis (no products, no commissions). I run a monthly support group called “I HATE Budgeting (But I Like Having Money)”, offer classes and seminars, speak around the world on the psychological, sociological, spiritual and emotional aspects of personal finance, and am the author of the ground-breaking book, “Living Inspired and Financially Empowered: Aligning Our Spiritual and Material Lives.”