7 Life lessons I've learned this year that changed my finances
Reading time: 5 minutes
Hi there,
As a recovering overspender, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on the lessons that have shaped my financial journey (and still working on it, did I mention it’s a lifelong journey?).
This week, I want to share my best 7 life lessons that I've learned to apply to my finances.
Whether you’re feeling stuck in a paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, anxious over money, or grappling with decision paralysis, I hope these insights resonate with you!
These are the lessons I wish someone had told me earlier, but you know how it goes: sometimes you just have to experience them yourself for them to really hit home!
1. Embrace the Full Spectrum
Every situation has its positives and negatives, but we often get stuck focusing on just one side. When things are going well, we only see the good. When they’re not, we forget the silver linings. Either way, we never look at the entire picture.
For money? Acknowledging both sides can help you feel more grounded and put things in perspective.
Challenge accepted? For every current conflict at work, money, personal, say as much positive and negative effects of situation (yes even if you’re in debt!)
Want more? You can read here
2. Setting Clear Goals
Without goals, it’s like asking someone to work without any direction. Imagine going to work every day and you have no clear direction, you don’t know your company’s mission or you don’t know what your boss wants: just endless tasks without purpose.
For money? If you don’t know what you want, it’s impossible to plan. Are you saving enough? Investing enough? Enough for what? My idea of a wealthy life is different from yours!
Challenge accepted? Set 1 or 2 goals for 2025 related to your physical health, personal growth, relationships, career and other areas that matter to you.
Want more? You can read here
3. Become a Professional Athlete in Your Finances
Treat your money like a pro athlete treats their training! Pay attention to your skills (financial literacy), training (time/money spent), “diet” (your financial habits), mindset (how you feel about money), self-narratives (what you think of yourself), and coaching (financial advisors or money coaches).
For money? Ask yourself how do you treat money? Like a plague or like a professional athlete? What are your narratives about money? What do you tell yourself?
Challenge accepted? For the next week, track three things related to money: your emotions (guilt, stress, shame, avoidance), your thoughts (cheap vs. expensive), and your spending habits (what do you spend on?)…
Want more? You can read here
4. Find your crowd
Don’t just listen to the pros! If you’re an introvert, advice from an extrovert on social skills may not resonate. Instead, insights from a shy introvert who has successfully navigated social situations will more likely hit home.
For money? Not all advice is created equal! Listening to professional traders can be frustrating if their experiences don’t resonate with yours.
Challenge accepted? Actively find one person that can feel/hear/see you, ask the one question that can make you see yourself!
Want more? You can read here
5. Prioritise What Matters
What’s one thing you’re not doing right now that could significantly improve your life? It could be exercising regularly, eating healthier, getting to bed earlier, or cutting back on social media. Too often, we get caught up in tasks that aren’t important or urgent.
For money? We tend to spend time on trivial tasks (like comparing flight prices or hunting for the best deals), instead of focusing on the real deal, such as investing, automating bills, or setting clear goals.
Challenge accepted? Brainstorm what is the one thing if you do it it would change your finances drastically.
Want more? You can read here
6. Let Go of Your Past
Don’t let past mistakes dictate your future; every day is a new opportunity! Take full responsibility for your choices and define who you want to become moving forward.
For money? Too often, we think we aren’t good with money because we aren’t taught in school or with parents, but there is an expiry date to blame
Challenge accepted? Track in 24 hours how many times you blame others for your current situation: your boss, your partner, your parents, your bad luck…
Want more? You can read here
7. Cultivate Confidence
Confidence is all about taking action despite external factors. It takes time and effort to build it, but that’s the secret recipe for overcoming challenges and navigating emotional roller coasters.
For money? Without financial confidence, it’s impossible to pay off debt, save more, learn about investing, or even apply any of these 7 lessons!
Challenge accepted? Commit to one small money-related action this week that you haven’t done before to boost your financial confidence.
Want more? You can read here
Those are the 7 lessons I’ve learned to implement in my financial life. Let me know if any of these resonate with you and I’d be curious to hear what you’ve learned and applied this year (or fail to apply)!
Build your financial confidence to embrace your successes, failures and growth,
Sophie
