Money Loves a Place To Land

Business Mindset, Get Out Of Your Own Way, Making More Money

I had just started an intensive coaching day with one of my clients.

I asked her, “How much money would you like to make next year?”

She replied quickly, “$300,000.”

“Why do you want to make $300,000? What will you do with that money?” I asked.

“I don’t know. It just seems like a good number.”

“OK,” I said, “I know one thing you want is to spend some vacation time at a beach house this summer. Let’s say that will cost $6,000. What is more motivating to you  — visualizing time at the beach or just seeing $6,000?”

“Time at the beach, definitely,” she said.

“Great, then let’s figure out all the things you are going to do with that $300,000!”

We went on to make a list of what she was going to do with that $300,000 — everything from extra vacation time to extra staff and new furniture in her bedroom.

Here’s why this works:

Have you ever noticed how when you come back from a trip, the traveling home always seems to take a shorter amount of time, even though logically it is the same amount of time? It’s because when the brain knows where it’s going, time seems shorter. The act of wondering how long it will take and not knowing what to expect makes things seem longer.

Money is the same way. Money loves to have a place to land. A reason for needing it. Money itself is an energy  —  visualizing having money can really only go so far. But actually being able to see the adventures, the things, the extra support for your business  —  that is real, and so much more fun.

Visualizing what you actually want also inspires you to do the activities in your business that don’t come so easily for you  —  the things that you would normally procrastinate about or just avoid. When you can attach a clear “why” to those things, it becomes a lot easier to do them.

As you do the exercise at the end of the article, remember that your reasoning doesn’t have to be “stuff.” It can be adventures you want to go on  —  like a beach vacation or a meditation retreat. Or it can be philanthropic causes that you would like to support. Or gifts to family members or friends. Also, don’t forget that as you grow your business, you’ll need to invest in more mentorship, more team, and more space.

I know that one of my big landing places for my money is being able to hire more skilled team members who can take over more of my work from the get-go. That would allow me to pursue some of my dream projects that have been waiting in the wings as I manage my company.

Don’t restrict your desires.

Let them flow. What you can’t buy now you’ll buy later. This gives you a chance to really see your desires on paper and connect your work to your money. Seeing this list on paper makes it easier to ask for money, raise your prices, or stand in your value. You aren’t just doing it for money’s sake. You’re doing it for very clear reasons.

Go for it  —  write down where you want your money to land. Then watch how much easier it is for you to actually get it.

Answer these questions:

• How much money do you want to make this year?
• What do you specifically want to spend that money on? 

To make it easier, focus on the extras that you’d like to spend on  —  beyond where you already spend your money.

Photo: flickr, Erik