The past is the past. Financial setbacks happen. It is what you do and how quickly you act that often determines how well you’ll be moving forward. Financial recovery takes time, energy and effort. Here are some suggestions for emotionally and financially getting back on your feet.


1. What’s important to you financially?

It’s time to do some financial soul-searching. This is where you begin looking at your values and beliefs about money and, your relationship with making, keeping and enjoying abundance. If these financial setbacks were caused by lack of financial planning or overspending, then this question is especially important for you.

Money is an emotional thing. Make the time to study and appreciate your conscious and unconscious relationship with money. How well you treat money is generally a reflection of how well you treat yourself. A few years from now you do not want to find yourself recovering from yet another financial setback.

What do you value most about money? To discover your most important money value, ask yourself, “Money has absolutely no value to me without_____.” Here are a few ideas to get you thinking - family, integrity, adventure, happiness, self-esteem, etc. This will tell you what you’re willing to do for money and what you will not do for money.


2. What are you willing to do to go forward financially?

Are you willing to temporarily take any type of job you can get to pay the bills? Are you willing to ask relatives for a loan? Are you willing to go to school or to seek out more training? Are you willing to come out of your emotional comfort zone? Make a complete list of what you're willing to do to move yourself financially forward.

What can you do today to take a first step? It’s time to write down all your options, even if some of them seem ridiculous. Brainstorm all types of ideas – in there will be one or two great ideas that will take you positively forward. Don’t spend time judging your ideas, spend time doing something to keep moving forward.


3. Are you willing to take positive action everyday?

Wallowing in what hasn’t and isn’t working right won’t help you to go financially forward. Begin by evaluating your resources. Basically, you’re looking to increase income and reduce expenses. What do you have that you can turn into money on EBay, a garage sale or a flea market? It may not sound glamorous but it’s taking positive action and moving forward.

It is also time to develop a budget. Take a long hard realistic look at what can and can’t be done with your money. At this point, it’s all about prioritizing and discipline. This may also be the time to seek out a financial advisor.

Recovering from a financial setback can be stressful and often times disheartening. It can also take time, patience and planning. Your biggest job right now is to think clearly, act logically and take consistent positive financial action. Learn from the mistakes and head positively toward a brighter financial future!

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I highly recommend Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny. Here's a direct link to Amazon.com where you can read more about this book or purchase it: Secrets of Six-Figure Women

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Please take a few minutes to visit my website www.SharonMichaels.com for more empowering suggestions, tools and tips and to sign up for my "Unlimited Success" free monthly newsletter.