Today’s blog is a reflective exercise to acknowledge what is going well and not so well with your finances. If you’re not in a place where you can write your answers now, please consider your answers to these questions until you can complete the exercise fully.

To get started on your debt-free journey, it’s really important to get quiet for a few minutes, meditate or pray, and then write your answers to these questions. Please don’t short-change yourself and skip over this part. This is really critical to your transformation.

What is going well with your finances?

What is not going well?

What does financial freedom mean to you?

What are your goals?

What do you want to accomplish in the next 90 days by changing your spending habits?

Where do you see yourself in the next 12 months by changing your spending habits?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years by changing your spending habits?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years by changing your spending habits?

What is really going to get you from where you are now to where you want to be?

What are you willing to sacrifice to get the results that you want?

If you DON’T make any sacrifices or change the way you spend money, where will you be in 6 months?

If you DON’T make any sacrifices or change the way you spend money, where will you be in 12 months?

If you DON’T make any sacrifices or change the way you spend money, where will you be in 5 years?

Most of the clients I work with will be in even worse financial constraints if they don’t make any changes. They fear that they will have to file for bankruptcy. It’s really important to have that leverage with yourself and think about what you are working toward, and create goals. Think about it. If you didn’t have to struggle every month just to pay all your bills, what would that mean to you? You might not have that sinking feeling every time the phone rings or when you open your mailbox. What could that free you up to do? Who would you be without those awful, guilty feelings? What opportunities would you enjoy? Paying off your debt might give you the courage and independence to quit a job that you hate. You might be able to give more of your time and money to your favorite charity. What would it mean to YOU?

In addition to having those incredible feelings of financial independence, you may want to consider how you will reward yourself when you pay off your last debt. It might be simple or elaborate, but give some thought as to how you want to celebrate. It doesn’t need to cost you a dime. Some of the best things in life are free!

By the way, please be sure to celebrate EVERY single debt that you pay off! Even if you celebrate by doing something simple like taking a walk around a park, high-fiving your partner or posting it on social media, be sure to recognize this accomplishment! How are you going to motivate yourself if you don’t even acknowledge small (or large) victories?

The next step in your transformation deals with the lessons you’ve learned on your journey. If you’re like most of us, you’re probably not too happy with some of the financial decisions you’ve made in your life thus far. As Dave Ramsey says, “That makes you over the age of twelve.” Your lessons learned are not about beating yourself up. It’s about what those lessons taught you so that you don’t have to repeat them again. For most folks (including me), one of your lessons might concern being careful about from whom you take financial advice. Please don’t take this as a carte blanche to blame all of your financial problems on others. Please take responsibility for your choices, as well. Perhaps you knew deep down that you shouldn’t have purchased or leased your car, but you didn’t listen to your own innate wisdom or intuition. There’s no judgment here. This is for your eyes only.

The next step is forgiving yourself. Forgive yourself for any missteps you have taken. You did the best you could. Now you know better, so now you’ll do better. It’s time to move on, so you can improve your financial situation. Take a few minutes to feel grateful that you have learned those lessons now rather than 20 years from now! Thank God, Spirit, The Universe, or your higher power. Be sure to thank yourself, as well!

Perhaps you feel that you can’t forgive yourself fully until you know that everything will turn out well. Trust me! If you follow this plan, you WILL get out of debt. Trust the process. Once you start, it will get easier. You’ll be proud of yourself. You will feel better about your finances, raising your vibration, which will allow you to attract more money, joy and blessings into your life.