When Paying Attention to Your Emotions Can Lead to Success

One of the most important things to learn in personal finance is how to pay attention to your emotions. When we're feeling good about something, we tend to spend more time and money on it. But if we are constantly worrying that we'll bankrupt our bank account off or that our car will break down, then we are less likely to enjoy those little things that make us happy. Taking a step back from your worries will allow you to be more creative with your money.


Emotions are funny that way. Sometimes they send a clear signal to us, but other times they carry a cloud of meaning that escapes us when we look at them closely. Take note of the times that your emotions are leading you into taking actions that are financially harmful. When you notice that you're involuntarily putting yourself into positions that will hurt you, pay attention to those feelings. Try to find ways to change your behavior before your emotions get the better of you.

Sometimes people experience overwhelming feelings. If you're dealing with a major life issue, this can be very difficult. However, you should try to recognize when your negative feelings are leading you into actions that could hurt you or put a strain on your finances. You can then recognize when you're making decisions that are out of alignment with your values and intentions. For example, if you feel as if you're driving toward bankruptcy because of a looming bill, but you're also aware that you have a second job that could save you, it's possible that you are using negative feelings as an excuse for not looking at budgeting and financial stability in a deeper way.

Paying attention to your emotions isn't just about being able to control them. It's also about noticing when they're leading you into positions that are self-defeating and financially damaging. Some of these situations will unfold naturally as you tackle them, but other times, you might not even realize you're getting in over your head. For example, if you've been unemployed for some time, you might not realize it, but there's probably a good chance that you're spending more money than you're earning, which can lead to financial difficulties. Paying attention to your emotions in this situation is one important way to combat this problem.

One of the most difficult things to do is to try to ignore negative feelings, especially if they're leading you to action that doesn't serve you well. The key to doing this is to recognize when they're interfering with your ability to get things done. For instance, if you have a gut feeling that you might be moving toward bankruptcy because of a bill that is much too large for your income, but you know you have a decent job that could rescue you from such financial ruin, you probably don't need to pay attention to your negative feelings. Instead, you should ask yourself if it's going to be a short-term loss if you move toward bankruptcy protection. You may even want to ask a friend or a mentor about your situation to see if they have any advice to give on how to deal with your negative feelings.

On the other hand, if you continue to experience negative feelings like worry and unhappiness, regardless of how much income you have, you might not be ignoring them. In fact, ignoring negative feelings has the same effect as not paying attention to them at all. That's because those feelings can quickly grow and become negative unless you actively work to change them. Therefore, you should pay attention to your feelings as a way to challenge them, not to push them away.

In addition to recognizing when you are exhibiting unhealthy behaviors and thoughts, it's also a good idea to pay attention to your emotions as well. In many cases, your emotions are being driven by deep beliefs that can be very hard to change. For example, if you've been taught that bad things will happen if you don't earn enough money, then you will have a hard time changing that belief. However, if you understand that earning money is a natural and normal part of life, you can take the opposite approach. Instead of focusing on your negative emotions, focus on your positive affirmations.


The above example is just one of many in which it can be useful to pay attention to your emotions in order to change them. Of course, in addition to recognizing your feelings, you also need to make sure that you are getting some positive affirmations as well. Once you begin to notice your emotions going in a different direction, you can be proactive in making a difference in your life. Don't just hope that your negative feelings will go away; instead, face them head-on and work towards changing them.