Day 13 of a 30 day Affirmations Anthem practice as described in Jon Acuff’s latest book, “Soundtracks.”
Acuff uses the word “Soundtracks” to describe thoughts that run on loops in our head and get in the way of what we really wish to accomplish here in this lifetime. He calls them soundtracks, because, much like music, they color our moments and days and rarely if ever does the song stop playing, the DJ get to the turn table, and a new song start playing. When we’ve practiced thought habits over years and years, the record never changes until the day we start making intentional choices to stop the music and play something we can work with instead.
How do you know a soundtrack/thought loop might need retired? You ask it these three questions: Is it true? Is it Kind? It is helpful?
I thought “I’m bad with money” was a true statement and thought for years. It never occured to me to see if it passed the “Is it kind?” and “Is it helpful?” tests as well. Turns out, it would fail the follow up questions.
I stuck with “I’m bad at money” for so long it never dawned on me that there were alternatives as options. But, the day I questioned “I’m bad at money” as a soundtrack, I realized there was so much more to the story and, in fact, it’s not cool to say negative things to yourself over and over again. Think of how you talk to yourself about your qualifications and track record. Would you ever dare say such things to a friend or loved one?
If you’re anything like me, I have a history of super mean self-talk and I never, in a million years, would dare say such things to another human being.
So when I mined, “I’m bad at money” for information and to debunk it’s heavy weight thought title, it turns out a more accurate thought would be, “I have gaps in my financial education.” OK. THat’s a good start. I like knowing I’m good at some things and can learn other things. Maybe I prefer the soundtrack, “I have everything I need to be great at money.” I like that one. It makes me feel in control with loads of potential. And then what if my soundtrack was, “I am a woman determined to be great at money.” Oh yes. That sounds true, in line with a goal I have, it sounds kind- it points to my capability and intelligence and it’s helpful. It’s a thought that will motivate me to stay on this financial journey til it pays out. :)
Other loops may include; “If it weren’t for ______, I’d be so much further by now.” “I just don’t have the time right now.” “I’m too old to start over.” “My boss doesn’t appreciate me.” “It’s not in the cards for me.” “I’m cursed” “It doesn’t matter.”
Those loops played over and over again create a universe where not much light gets in and there’s not much we can do about it. The moment we start editing the loops to work in our favor? Colors we haven’t seen in a long long time begin to reappear.