Our feelings about money can be a very complicated issue. Most of us want to make enough money to maintain our lifestyle and pay our bills. Some of us look at our income as validation of our success and continually strive to make more money. Many of us shy away from the subject of money and dont want to embrace the fact that money can be a positive force in their lives. 
Whatever your attitude about money is, its important to understand how it plays into your business and career success. In fact, your money mindset can help you be successful and live in abundance or it can continually sabotage your efforts to make a decent living.
I grew up in an upper middle class family in a wealthy suburb of New York City. We lived in a beautiful home, belonged to a country club, and my parents traveled all over the world. I didnt lack any thing. I had dance lessons, music lessons, went to camp, went to the best schools. However, I thought we were poor. Honestly, I always thought we were on the verge of poverty. Why? Because my father, a child of the depression, instilled in my mother, my brother, and myself the belief that there was never enough money in our household. That was not true. It was his attitude and it became my attitude. The belief that there would never be enough money started in my childhood.
Years later, I realized where my belief system originated and how it was sabotaging me in my business and worked vigorously to change my mindset (and continue to work on it every day). One great resource who helped me change my mindset about money is David Neagle and I have adopted his mantra that making money is part of my spiritual path. There are many resources available and I strongly suggest you find a coach or mentor to help you through this because negative feelings about money can literally hold you back from a successful business or career.
Money means a lot of different things to different people, but to me it represents freedom, the freedom from worrying about paying my bills and to live my life the way I choose to live. I realize now that I have much to offer and that my talent is a gift that I offer others to help them be successful. Yes, money is the end result but because I understand my value and how I can help others, I no longer focus all my energy on the lack of money. Money is no longer a mental roadblock for me. I know that by helping professional women achieve their goals, feel self-confident and empowered by their unique value, I will be successful. Their success is my success.
What are your feelings about money? Are they working for you?
I’m glad you posted this. My early mindset starting out as a consultant was formed by a well meaning friend’s advice: “How much do you need to survive? Use the answer to set your fees and business targets.” The result : I always under-charged and did not change my fees for over 10 years! With some trepidation I upped my fees – and surprise, surprise – my clients paid without a murmur. I still have to talk myself into charging my worth – but it is a vital part of healthy thinking.
Ann, thanks for your comment! You’re so right. Once you understand your value and how your services benefit others, it helps you to charge appropriate fees. The mindset must be how you help others rather than a self-serving one. Congratulations!