The topic I want to visit with you about today, is a bit “heavier” than usual. Yes, we’re going to talk about your finances… but it actually goes way deeper than just your money. This impacts your career, your family, your spiritual life, your personal growth, and even, the way you think and talk about yourself. It determines your earning potential, the kind of people you surround yourself with, the legacy you leave behind for your children, and well beyond.

It may seem like I’m talking this up – a lot – but there’s a reason. Before I get into the real “meat-and-potatoes” of today’s message, I really want you to grasp its grave importance. It would be a disservice to you, if I just handed over the information without setting it up properly. So, here we go.

Debt hurts. It’s extremely painful. In fact, I was recently in a room with over 1200 people and asked this question: “How does debt FEEL?” The answers will break your heart: Draining. Suffocating. Humiliating. Exhausting. Shameful. Paralyzing. Hopeless. Buried alive.

Those are some powerful words. It’s easy to skim that paragraph and think, “Oh, how terrible!” But stop for a minute and consider – those aren’t just words. Those are real people, sharing real experiences. Have you ever felt totally drained and exhausted? Have you ever had a burden you felt too weak to carry? Have you felt hopeless? Paralyzed? Ashamed? Buried alive?

I have. And I’m willing to bet, you have, too. Regardless of your burden, whether it’s debt or financial troubles – or something entirely different – you know that feeling. (Today we’re talking about debt, but the principles can be applied to any problem or burden you carry.)

Now, think about how your debt feels. Does it keep you awake at night? Is it first thing on your mind in the morning when you wake up? Does it cause arguments between you and your loved ones or business associates? Does it cause you stress, worry and anxiety?

Take a few minutes, search your mind and find the words to describe the feelings your debt brings out in you. How does it make you feel? What emotions does it bring out in you? What problems does it cause in your life? Take a moment to write it all down. We’ll examine these thoughts later on. And even if it’s uncomfortable to think about right now, go ahead and make your list. (I promise, the freedom you will gain from this exercise will be worth a few minutes of discomfort…)

In my experience over the last couple of decades, working with tens of thousands of people around the world, I’ve noticed some general areas where debt causes major problems:

• Marriage
• Family
• Relationships
• Health
• Mental & Emotional Well-being
• Spiritual
• Business/Career
• Setting & Achieving Goals
• Confidence
• Trust
• Risk-taking

The list really does go on, and on, and on…

Now, ask almost anyone the answer to getting out of debt and their answer usually involves something about making more money. They think somehow increasing their income, will enable them to dig their way out of their deep hole. If they had more money, they would finally be free from the pain, anxiety, marital problems, career problems, and everything else they’re facing. Have you ever felt this way? If so, you’re not alone!

But, pay attention because this is where it gets tricky… debt does something to your mind! You’ve experienced the pain and pressure of debt, its heavy burden on you. Whether you realize it or not –  regardless of whether you’ve made the conscious connection in your mind – money brings pain. See, your mind will not allow you to make more money, because you mentally associate “money” with those feelings of suffocation, humiliation, inadequacy – again, either consciously or subconsciously!

Your past pain has caused you to put up a wall in your mind… a wall separating you from money. And it gets worse, that wall keeps you from making wise financial decisions with the money you do have. And that, my friend, only perpetuates the problem and keeps you in debt.

That’s why it is so important to dig down deep – deeper than you’ve ever desired, or wanted, to go – and kill this mindset at the root. You’ve got to utterly destroy your current financial mindsets, habits, thought processes and beliefs.

After all, look where those mindsets have gotten you so far! Remember the feelings and problems you wrote down earlier? Remember those gut-wrenching, vivid word pictures 1200 people used to describe their debt? Paralyzing. Suffocating. Humiliating. Hopeless. BURIED ALIVE.

Most people have different ways of escaping this pain. Different people have different coping mechanisms, and I’ve seen it all: sleeping, shopping, eating, drugs, alcohol, social media, pornography, TV, movies, decorating (and redecorating) the house.

And the problem with each and every one? They’re all simply a Band-Aid – NOT a solution! Some of these things are not inherently bad. However, when used to cover up a problem, to bring temporary relief, to make you feel better about something, they simply multiply your problems! Plus, every single coping mechanism costs you time and/or money… and your time IS money! It’s time to rip off the Band-Aid and get REAL solutions!

There is so much more to share with you on this topic. In fact, I have an entire second part of this message ready for you! Click here for three steps to overcome the pain, pressure and anxiety of debt… as well as a road map to help you navigate the twists and turns along your road to financial independence.

In the meantime, think about what we’ve covered so far… and please share your feedback with me below! And remember to join me today for The Dani Johnson Show to keep adding to your success strategies! Tune in on your TV and radio and please remember you can always stream today’s show right here on our website.

In great faith,

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