There is always enough time. There is always enough money.
It is not about if we have the time & money; it is about how we prioritize our time & money

I want to empower you to live with intention. When we do so, “I cannot afford it” becomes “I choose not to prioritize it,” and “I can afford it” is said with confidence, excitement, and intentional belief.

“I can’t afford to NOT have a ‘real’ job.”

As I worked toward making the decision to start my own business, I held the conscious (&, at times, subconscious) belief that I had to sustain a stream of income in addition to my work as a coach – that is, in addition to what I was capable of earning through Yes& alone.

At first, I embodied this belief by applying for full time evaluation jobs during my final year of graduate school. I (proudly) embraced all the “right” things: I networked within the field, beautified my resume, completed informational interviews to consider my desired role in the industry, stepped my “foot in the door” at companies of interest, and set forth an application plan that ensured ample opportunity to secure a job by graduation.

With time, it was obvious (as showcased by my absolute lack of enthusiasm to write a cover letter or prepare for an interview, let alone dedicate 40 hours a week to this work) that a full-time evaluation job was not an ideal next move for me. As I reflected on my skillset and interests, I felt empowered to pursue a career I was more passionate about, instead. I courageously set the job applications aside and declared to open my own business as a coach, full time.

Limiting belief resolved, right?

Of course not. Long-held beliefs, likely adopted with the intention (&, at times, success) of ensuring safety, will do everything they can to survive. Just as a flu virus accomplishes year after year, my belief simply adapted.

Act Two:

After graduating with my Master’s degree, I enacted a plan to launch my coaching business by September 1st, 2018. I hired a coach to structure my foundation during the summer, and worked enthusiastically to organize the logistical underpinning of business.

In true Marin fashion, I included financial goals within this plan based on a data-informed budget – including my average spending, cost of living, and envisioned lifestyle. In utilizing my budget, which itself was a very sensible and helpful practice, I asked: “How will I afford my lifestyle?” This question was valuable in fostering a mindset of possibility & abundance, and as minds do best – I came up with an answer to my inquiry.

Excel spreadsheet in hand, I laid out the “how” behind my income and spending: “If I charge this much for coaching, and this much for yoga – I would need this many clients a month, and this many yoga classes a week. Hmm… My ideal client load is less than that… so I will supplement some income… with… part-time evaluation work!”

Because you read act one of my belief journey, you may anticipate the less-than desired outcome of my plan. And although it seems obvious in hindsight or from the perspective of objective listener, I believed & justified my work and income plan as brilliant. I listed ample benefits of staying connected to the evaluation field, I defended my intention to follow my passion because eval would “only be part time,” and I adopted more beliefs to back up the sense in my decision: “It takes a while for new businesses to see profit,” “This will give me time to set a strong foundation for my business,” and “Additional income will alleviate pressure from Yes&” – to name a few.

I was presented with an eval opportunity the week before my official launch of Yes&, and I accepted the position. It was perfect. In fact, it matched the exact financial, time, & logistic structure I’d envisioned in my plan. It was also exactly aligned with my belief: I am safe & smart, because I have a stream of income in addition to my work as an entrepreneur & coach; “I cannot afford to NOT have a ‘real’ job.”

We are not surprised this ‘perfect’ manifestation crumbled a few months later. Although the position did provide financial security, aided my ability to set a foundation for my business, and alleviated pressure from Yes& to provide vast income – it did not foster my wellbeing, utilize my passion & true strengths, nor provide myself with ample energy to spend half of my working hours on the long-term goal: Full-time Yes&.

When I faced dissonance in the reality of evaluation, I again worked with my coach to explore what was truly best for me (& everyone involved). With time, I felt empowered to believe in myself and what I was called to pursue - full time coaching - and I quit the eval project I had accepted three months prior. The next day, I applied for a full-time job.

Act Three.

Wait, WHAT!! Again, what is clear in hindsight or as an observer felt sneakily perfect to my past self. Why? Because, although I lacked awareness of this fact, I was letting my gremlin drive the bus. I acted, instinctively & without second thought, from the belief: “I cannot afford to NOT have a ‘real’ job. I cannot support myself as an independent business owner.”

The storyline repeats because the belief remains; it is not about the money, it is about my underlying money & personal beliefs. Until I illuminated & intentionally held or challenged my belief, my actions and outcome remained unchanged – even as I desired to change the actions and outcomes themselves.

I was offered & accepted the full-time job I applied for, and I believed and justified its meaning, sense, & goodness. Once more, I faced an incongruent reality one month in. Although it was “good enough” - although it was positioned within the health industry I desired to be part of, although it brought me closer to potential coaching clients, although it provided income to ease financial stress - I knew my talents, skills, and hungry passion were not being utilized to their fullest potential. I knew I was not experiencing the full potential of my life – and although it felt scary, I refused to settle for a “good enough” life when I had a gut feeling that the life fostered through full-time coaching could be marvelous.

After a few months of calls with my coach and deep personal work, I again felt empowered to leave and pursue what I knew was best for me & my potential to serve the world.

Act Four.

What is different about my final act in this story is my willingness to observe & challenge the underlying belief that promoted cyclical, undesired actions & outcomes. Today I choose to believe I can afford not to have a ‘real’ job: “I have enough money, and I can earn ample income as an independent business owner & coach.”

What is radical is the proof that follows. Three months after adopting my new money belief, and acting in alignment with this belief, the old-belief me is surprised to observe a life of abundance. I have not gone into debt, I am not living paycheck to paycheck, I have not utilized my three-month emergency fund… In fact, living into my new belief is not scary – as old me had anticipated; it is expansive.

This is not to say I have it all figured out. Nor is this to say my cyclical storyline or my old belief was “bad.” Each part played a role to develop greater awareness of myself, my values, & needs, fostered my ability to believe with intention, and ultimately act in alignment with a life that feels amazing & authentically me.

Act Five.

We have the opportunity to get curious about our current story and change our undesired outcomes. What this requires of us, however, is to go deeper than our actions & dreams & external factors; we must ask what it is we believe.

Once you unveil what the belief is, ask: Will I choose to maintain this belief? Do I desire to challenge this belief? Even if this belief has benefitted me in the past (it likely has), can I find evidence to suggest the contrary as true? Would I like to try another belief on for size?

If we maintain the belief, we will promote the same outcome – even as the means vary. Accept the outcome (this, too, is an option), or change the belief.

Directly related to my work as a coach: I commonly hear individuals say they cannot afford coaching. First, let me emphasize my respect for this statement. Yes, coaching is absolutely an investment, and it can be true that, at times, we cannot afford an expense. Choosing not to make an investment can be a wise and responsible decision, and I would never intend to pressure an individual to go against what they know to be best for them.

That said, “I cannot afford it” is oftentimes the surface statement to a deeper, more meaningful belief. Upon digging into this belief, the action may remain the same (my potential client may still choose not to invest in coaching). However, it is my honor to guide each individual to make this decision with intention, rather than excuse.

Sometimes, for myself and my clients, “I cannot afford it” is actually to say, “I do not value this.” Sometimes, “I cannot afford it” means, “I am scared of the commitment.” Sometimes, it illuminates the belief “I am not worth it,” or “It is selfish to spend money on myself.”

It can mean you value your hard-earned savings and do not wish to move it for anything, regardless. It can signify stress over your current financial situation – which may or may not be rooted in the reality of your financial situation. It can translate to, “I would rather spend that money on a vacation,” or organic groceries or a personal trainer – which is to say, “I value this other thing more than coaching.”

These beliefs & perspectives are significant, not only to better understand oneself – but to make decisions with clarity and intention.

Act Six.

There is always enough time. There is always enough money. It is not about the time, nor the money – it is about what you value, believe, & prioritize (which may or may not be in alignment with your values & beliefs).

Do you value, believe, and prioritize with intention? Celebrate yourself when you do, and get curious when you do not. Remember there is always a choice, and I hope you feel empowered to explore what is yours.

If you would like support to unveil your financial belief, check it with reality by laying out the data you have to suggest it as true (&), choose new beliefs to try on, and make an action & accountability plan to align – let's connect. Send me an email at yesandbymarin@gmail.com to learn more.