It’s nice to have money. I’m not going to deny it. Wealth opens many doors and allows you to live out your passions. Let’s be honest, if you don’t have to worry about money, you can do the things you LOVE to do. Not having to wonder if you can pay your bills makes the little luxuries in life sweet.

There is nothing wrong with desiring money, wealth, or wanting to create prosperity in your life. @hayleyhobson (Click to Tweet!)

The problem arises when money starts to take over your life, when you’re more interested in making money than you are in anything else, when money becomes your sole priority and takes you away from the things you used to value in your life – like the people you love.

We all need to work to pay our bills, I know. Between our mortgage, car payments and car insurance, health insurance, day care (can’t wait until my little one finally goes to school!), food shopping (and you know I’m not skimping there), office rent, entertainment, gasoline, personal care, clothes…..you get the picture…. I need to be making A LOT just to break even.

Still, you have to consider the balance. How much focus on making money is healthy and how much has become an obsession? Are you neglecting certain aspects of your life for work? Or are you not working enough and therefore always on the verge of an empty bank account?

Making money is all about creating abundance.

Abundance means plentifulness, bountifulness. To me, abundance means:

• Feeling plentiful in all areas of my life, not just my career.
• Feeling lavish in my relationships, including the one I have with myself, my body and my spirit.
• Energy. Life. Gratitude. Love.

If money is consuming you and taking you away from what you hold dear, or your life is too stressful because you’re working way too much, you’re going to have to figure out a better way to balance the idea of money with the rest of your life. Creating wealth and abundance can be done right and with integrity.

Here are two ways to stop money from consuming you.

1) Use Your Head AND Your Heart

Making money requires planning and strategizing. You usually can’t skate through life on auto-pilot and think money will just fall into your lap. Not these days. Yep, you’ve got to strategize your life!

You need a plan. A roadmap.

You’ve got to live within the framework of your current financial means. Your plan should be about how you can live your most true, authentic self, how you can fully live out your dreams.

For instance, I LOVE teaching people how to feel fabulous. I’m obsessed with nutrition and health. Another passion of mine is helping new entrepreneurs start up their businesses.

So that’s what I do: I coach. I teach. I write. I educate.

By truly living my passion (along with a good business plan), I’ve been able to make a highly sustainable living.

If you’re career is tied to your heart and you’re living out your dream, success will be in your future. No amount of money is worth stress or unhappiness.

2). CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO MONEY

You are able to mold your relationship to money. If you believe you will never have enough, you won’t. If you believe you need things that really aren’t necessary, you’ll always be disappointed. A lot of people approach money like hungry ghosts.

My relationship with money isn’t one of lack. I’ve always had enough. Even when I first started my professional career and all my friends were broke, I always felt content. I worked hard, believed in myself and simply didn’t spend on what I didn’t need. I’ve created my life based upon my values first and my success has followed.

Visualize.  Imagine.

You don’t have to sacrifice. If you’re struggling now but want out of that place, fantasize until your dreams become your reality.

Change your relationship to money by changing the story in your head.

What have you got to lose?

I have just given you two really BIG TIPS on how to stop letting the idea of money consume you. What are your fears and beliefs around money? I would love to hear from you. Please leave your comments in the box below.

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XO, Hayley

Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, business coach, yogi, Pilates instructor, and holistic nutritional expert based in Boulder, CO. Her unique and intelligent style promotes strengthening while softening—empowering her clients to heal not only their physical bodies but their hearts and minds as well. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.