7 non-obvious factors that affect the level of your income

1. There is no specific task for the brain

Very often in response to the question “How much money do you need?” I hear: “A lot!” or “The more, the better.” “A lot” is not a number. And that means that there is no clear task for the brain: where to step? What to do? And if there is no task, there are no actions, and as a result, there is no result in the form of money. If you want to increase your income, set yourself a specific goal, or even better, draw up a step-by-step plan, write down the necessary actions and clear dates.

2. Lifestyle inflation

At consultations, clients share stories about how they managed to live on very little money and even put something aside as students back in the day. After the institute, they got a job with a stable salary, income increased many times, but for some reason there is not enough money. A new position, a higher salary, but it still seems that there is little money. Paradox?

The reason is the inflation of lifestyle, in which expenses rise along with income, and sometimes overtake them. A person now chooses a more expensive restaurant, clothes of famous brands, a phone of the latest model. Income does not keep up with desires, as a result, there seems to be money, but the feeling that “there are not enough of them and you need to earn more” does not leave.

You are included in this race, the income is growing. But the funds are again flowing somewhere. Most likely, you rely only on online bank reports: “I only spend on the essentials.” Familiar? 49% of Russians admit that they do not keep records of income and expenses, a third of Russians keep the budget “in their minds”. With this approach, the real financial picture cannot be seen.

Keeping track of income and expenses can help you cope with lifestyle inflation: you can keep it using an Excel spreadsheet or a special application on your smartphone. For at least one month, write down your expenses to the ruble, and you will see where your money actually goes and what is your real income.

3. Invisible ceiling

You have been working in your specialty for many years, you have reached the ceiling of your career in the company. And your income has also peaked and is no longer growing. And I want to grow up, because the children are already big, the apartment is too small. “You won’t earn more in my field!” – you are sure.

There may be several reasons for the appearance of such a “ceiling”: fear of change, unwillingness or fear of learning something new, personal attitudes regarding income. Study the job market: is there really a limit in your field, or is the barrier only in your head? You can also consult with a career specialist.

4. Limiting beliefs

You know exactly how much you earn and how much you spend. And your family objectively needs more money. But from time to time, in the stream of your thoughts, phrases slip through: “You won’t earn all the money”, “Big money spoils people”, “I will earn more – everyone will ask me for a loan.” You can certainly continue this list. Psychologists call such formulations limiting beliefs.

The roots of this problem should be looked for in childhood – you may have heard similar phrases from parents, relatives, significant people, and believed in them. Today, these thoughts affect the level of your income. To neutralize the negative program, first these thoughts need to be seen. You can do this on your own, for example, by writing down your thoughts about money, or with the help of specialists – coaches, psychologists.

5. Knowledge does not become skills

Your acquaintances consider you a real financial encyclopedia: you have read a huge number of books on personal finance and investment management, you are subscribed to the channels of popular bloggers, follow economic news. But the money in your wallet is not added. Why?

Because knowledge without action does not become a skill. From the consumption of gigabytes of even the most useful content, there will be no more money. The recipe is simple: start putting into practice what you have learned. The path to your big goals consists of daily small steps.

6. Lack of knowledge

The complete opposite of the previous point. Today, a few clicks are enough, and you can get an answer to any question. Books, expert articles, trainings and expert advice… We have access to useful knowledge that helps to solve almost any problem. You just need to start to be interested, study, listen and read.

But even with an abundance of information, not everyone uses it. How much time did you devote to learning practical knowledge this month? For example, how to get tax deductions or what cashback cards are there?

The formula for success is: correct information + correct actions = money in your wallet.

7. Eternal waiting

Some people believe that someone owes them something: the state, the boss, the housing office, parents, husband or wife. The fact that there is no money is to blame for the government, inflation, retrograde Mercury and the neighbor from above (it interferes with sleep). Everything except the author of these ideas – “the eternal waiter”.

Of course, I now exaggerated. But, unfortunately, the “virus of infantility” in relation to one’s income is contagious, and infection with it proceeds imperceptibly and asymptomatically.

If today you do not have the desired income, ask yourself the question: “Am I expecting benefits from someone, or do I create these benefits for myself?” Being honest with yourself, backed up by action, is the power to boost your income.