“The problem isn’t you, the (monetary) environment we exist within has be created and manipulated to suit a select few, and to be hard work for the rest.”

I once said to a client, “there is nothing wrong with you. We exist currently in a pretty unnatural money environment, that is run mostly by tyrants.” And at first I thought, she might be a little put off by the abruptness of the comment. Like “who is this crazy accountant that is telling me this?”

But instead, across the screen I saw her take a big deep breath and audibly sigh and expel what may have been a huge amount of unnecessary shame and blame, other’s expectations, external criticism and some self-judgement.

She visibly relaxed, her eyes softened, she no longer had to hold up her frame to be the container or physical representation so that she could exist in this pretty hectic, somewhat confusing and masculine environment of money and business.

I was letting her know that this eco-system, the environment of money was not necessarily healthy, natural or working for everyone.

Have you felt that feeling? The tightness in your chest, or the raising of your shoulders when it comes to doing financial tasks or jobs? Or maybe you suddenly drop your shoulders and look down towards the ground?

I mention this because I believe we can’t truly sit in our sacred ground when it comes to money, to expand our financial capacity while we hold some much tension, anxiety or defeat. When we can see we are doing these behaviours, it can be a queue to ask, is the problem me or my environment?

Interestingly, after observing these reactions in clients I came across an article about how we hold ourselves when it comes to money/business/marketing, written by Tad Hargrave. He calls these behaviours collapsing, posturing and composure. I refer to composure as our sacred ground, standing in our power.

(That is why this whole series about Exploring your Financial Capacity is pulling apart themes and elements to help us all move closer to our natural equilibrium when it comes to money. Discovering (or uncovering) how to get to our sacred ground. You can check out the first email here, and the next two themes on generational differences and societal conditioning.)

So why does this matter to you?

Our ‘monetary ecosystem’ has some specific factors that work against us when it comes to being financially well. Simple as that.

Our ability to make and manage money, to accumulate wealth and circulate it how we see fit is impacted by the environment of modern-day banks, business, property ownership and economics. So I’m listing some big factors for you below because if you can recognise how this is impacting your own life and business, you can create systems or bring awareness to these point to make it so much easier for you.

Point One: Money has become intangible resource. 

Humans are naturally very good resource managers. We’ve had to, to survive Winter, drought, famines. But since the invention of money, that was originally an invention of convenience, we’ve slowly, slowly had to manage less and less tangible resources and are instead carrying coins and notes as a representation of resources.

And most recently, money has become digital, it’s just numbers on a screen or a piece of plastic in our wallet. 

How do we manage this ‘invisible’ resource?

When have we in the the history of the human race had to manage such an important survival resource that is basically invisible?

I think it’s not a behaviour or skill we’ve ever had to master, learnt from previous generations or ancestors to manage an invisible resource, so it is convenient to have plastic money, or does making money suit banks more than consumers?

The potential impact of this change means that:

– it suits those who are good with ‘numbers on a screen’

– or they may have a personality that is very self-disciplined

– it works for people who do not need to feel or touch their resources to manage it

If you prefer visible, tangible, kinesthetic, non-numerical ways of managing resources this may negatively impact your finances. You may need a new way to tangibly bring back a way to manage money.

Point Two: We’ve been told we need to look after ourselves. 

We’re also being sold the benefits of living independently not interdependently. Look at the marketing, look at what we’re sold, everyone should live the dream, buy and individual house, an individual car, procure our own needs and desires all individually.

The collective perspective has been lost.

This is a pretty expensive exercise, it’s a good way to convince people to become consumers instead of simply citizens.

This also creates a lot fear, that unless I can look after myself, then no-one else will. So I must save, buy and earn my way to security and safety in this world.

Fears contract our financial capacity. We feel that we have more to lose if we make the wrong decision, we hand over our economic power or agency to others.

Point Three: We have so little diversity in our business arena.

Diversity in point of view.

Diversity in frameworks, ideals, values or methods of business.

Diversity in ways of working, ways of selling, things to offer.

This ultimately implies, if you don’t do it this way you may not succeed. Herd mentality and propaganda definitely influences our financial capacity and financial decision making. What do you believe as an absolute truth in the business environment?

I now approach every (apparent)absolute statement made with the question,

“Really?”

That’s it. 

When someone says this is the only way to make money. I think – Really?

This is the best way to … Really?

This is the only way to …. Really?

I’ve seen enough of this world to know there are a million different ways to cook rice, or bake bread. Don’t tell me there is absolute truths in business. We need more diversity, not less. 

Point Four: We’re encouraged to work from a place of short-term decision making. 

But really what we need is more long-term thinkers. Our lack of long term planning is killing us and our planet. But our business environment has made it too easy and has encouraged us to only focus on the short-term.

For example a company can sell anything, but not cop the cost of the disposal of that item. Imagine if every business had to properly dispose of what they created, that the onus fell on them. And at time of sale, they need to recoup the cost of appropriate disposal? Imagine the focus changing from volume to quality in any goods produced.

Can you think of other examples?

I just need to look to credit cards, Afterpay, zip pay. And you can see how instant gratification is encouraged, but we deal with the fallout later on.

What about our lack of savings or keeping something for a rainy day? This leads back to point 1. How do we manage invisible resources for a rainy day?

There are many examples where we are told, just live for today without consideration for tomorrow.

This matters because when we only think short-term, we put ourselves in the predicament where we form co-dependant relationships for our safety, food and health. We potentially feel unsafe in the long term future. And this fear of safety contracts or constricts our financial capacity. We make decisions from a place of fear or with our back against the wall.

Point Five: We have little to no financial education or (decent) mentors.

Financial acumen and mentoring is extremely important for expanding our financial capacity.

I’m not sure I need to say that basic skills for food, shelter and safety put our nervous systems to rest and allow us to have more enjoyable and fulfilling lives. When these things are taken away or misunderstood our general well-being decreases.

Money is now one stand-in for food, shelter and safety, yet it is not taught anywhere in a holistic, grounded way.

Having foundational knowledge and the capacity to do simply calculations is important. And it’s just not taught. We are taught theories of working out the diameter of circle but not basic tax or managing cash. Basic cash flow management strategies are super effective, but just not taught in a way that helps all types of learners.

Secondly, the media spends more time putting tyrannical monetary behaviours in front of our faces, then sound, grounded examples of decent money or business mentors. I guess it doesn’t sell to show people who make money over the long-term term without flashy stories or ‘tricks’. But if you pause for a moment and think about any visible examples of wealthy good people, I’d spend some time checking them out.

I’d advise seeking out your own money mentors, even if it’s only from afar.

They may not be giving straight up money advice but you can observe their behaviours, the slow accumulation of collectively beneficial resources, generosity with boundaries, values-led financial decisions and regenerative practices.

So today’s exercise is to grab your notebook and pen and go back over these 5 points about acknowledging the environment that YOU work in.

Write down what comes to mind when you think about them, what parts of the environment feel expansive to your financial capacity, your ability earning and circulating money. And what parts feel constricting. 

Till next week gorgeous business owners, where we will be exploring how our relationship to confidence and doubt impacts your financial capacity.