We all have a story. Some of us have bigger stories than others. Some of us are more attached to our stories and are committed to maintaining our part in the script as our legacy. Others feel ashamed or embarrassed by their history and feel uncomfortable sharing it all. Whatever your personal experience and history of money is, your story must be told so that you can witness it objectively and consciously. The following exercise is intended to help you further explore and observe your money archetype in relationship to your personal history. In the process, you will discover how you have manifested certain beliefs and behavior in regard to your relationship with money.
Begin this exercise by closing your eyes and scanning your memory from early childhood. Start with the first money memory you can recall. Think about how old you were and share a brief accounting of the experience that occurred (a few sentences will suffice.) It is not necessary to go into the great detail about each memory, but rather just state the memory, your age at the time and any feelings you recall having around the experience.
Important Note: Please type your money bio using the template I’ve provided beginning on the next page. Unfortunately, I cannot accept handwritten work
as it is often too challenging to read. Also, as you write your money bio, for each memory you recall, please include any feelings you remember about your experiences.
For example: Age 5 – I accidentally broke my father’s watch and he became very angry and spanked me as it was an “expensive gift.” I felt very ashamed and somehow devalued in comparison to his watch. Like it was somehow more important to him than I was. I think it changed our relationship. It made me angry and also very sad, even as I think of it now, 30 years later.
Now, with this as the starting point of your history of money, continue to write your money biography chronologically from this point forward using the attached Money Bio Grid. Include any significant memories that you recall, whether they directly involved you or not, including those pertaining to your parents, grandparents or other family members. The form will expand as you type, so don’t feel constrained by the size of the text box.