Normalize your numbers
Here is one small thing you can do that will have a big effect on your finances: normalize your numbers.
This means make looking at your numbers a habit.
This will help you 3 ways:
- Gets you in the habit of looking. The more you look, the easier it is. It’s simple. It’s quick. It’s NBD.
- Desensitizes you to the fear and anxiety of looking. You get used to it. It’s exposure therapy. Removes a hurdle to facing your finances, working with your money.
- What’s measured gets managed. Once you’re used to looking, and you’re desensitized, now you can be curious— “I see that number— what does it mean to me? Would I like it to be something different? How can I make it different?” And since you’re in the habit of looking, you’ll watch it change based on your actions— and that feels good. It’s empowering.
Think of this as the gateway drug to your finances— normalizing your numbers seems all innocent and simple at first, but that’s how it starts— one day you’re looking at your numbers and the next day you’re kicking ass at investing. And it all started with normalizing your numbers. Boom: gateway drug.
Here’s how to start:
3 Steps to Normalize Your Numbers:
- Pick the easiest account: Choose one of your banking accounts to check. Possibilities: your checking account, brokerage account, or credit card account. Of these, which seems like it would be easiest to check? Pick that one.
- Collect the info you need to login to this account: website URL, user name and password. Store this in an easily accessible place—I recommend a password manager, not your browser.
- Commit to checking this account every day for 7 days. Set a reminder alarm in your phone and open a Note in your phone to check off each day you look at your account.
Extra Credit/Bonus Points:
-After you check your account for the day, write or dictate in the note how you felt about it.
-At the end of the week, read the entries. Do you notice a change in your feelings from the beginning to day 7?
So tell me,
When you think of doing this, what’s your first response?
Do you currently look at your numbers? If no, what gets in your way?
DM me on IG @moneymedschool and let me know. I’d love to hear what this is like for you!
Wanna learn more about this? Join our FREE Money Med School Physician Financial Wellness Facebook group. See what others are saying, and share your thoughts as well. PLUS I’ve got a new video for you!
You can also get the iPhone Notes template that I use to track my progress when you join the Physician Financial Wellness FREE Facebook group.
This is just the beginning. I’m telling you, one minute you’re checking your bank account, and the next you’ll be rubbing elbows with Warren Buffet*.
*He’s the Investor dude, not the Margaritaville dude
