7 Great Actionable Takeaways from Reading “You Are a Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• Take responsibility for your choices. Own your decisions and actions. This puts you in control of your financial future.
• Face your fears head-on. Identify what scares you about money and tackle it. Fear often holds us back from financial success.
• Trust the universe. It may sound odd, but believe that opportunities will come your way. Be open to them.
• Set SMART goals. Write them down. Make them specific and measurable. This gives you a target to work towards.
• Love yourself and others. Self-love and positive relationships can boost your confidence and support network.
• Take risks. Step out of your comfort zone. Big rewards often come from bold moves.
• Change self-sabotaging behaviours. Identify habits that hold you back financially. Work on changing them.

Summary

‘You Are a Badass at Making Money’ tackles the tricky subject of personal finance. The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on different aspects of wealth creation.

Part 1 explores your relationship with money. It challenges you to examine your beliefs and attitudes towards wealth. Sincero argues that negative money mindsets can hold you back from financial success.

Part 2 delves into the power of your thoughts. It emphasises the importance of positive thinking and visualisation in achieving financial goals. Sincero encourages you to dream big and believe in your ability to succeed.

Part 3 focuses on taking action. It provides practical tips for:

• Setting clear financial goals
• Creating a wealth-building plan
• Overcoming fears and obstacles

Part 4 discusses maintaining your newfound wealth. It stresses the importance of gratitude and giving back to society.

Throughout the book, Sincero uses personal anecdotes and exercises to engage readers. She advocates for a combination of practical steps and mindset shifts to achieve financial success.

The book’s key message is clear: you have the power to change your financial situation. With the right mindset and actions, you can create the wealth you desire.

Key Principles For Financial Success

Many people struggle with money, feeling stuck in a cycle of lack. Breaking free from financial limitations can seem daunting. Jen Sincero outlines several key principles to help transform your relationship with wealth.

Developing a Money Mindset

Your thoughts about money shape your financial reality. Sincero emphasises the importance of changing your money mindset. Start by examining your beliefs about wealth. Are they limiting or empowering?

Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. For example, instead of “I’ll never be rich,” try “I am worthy of abundance.”

Visualise your desired financial future. Create a clear mental picture of your goals. This helps align your actions with your aspirations.

Practice gratitude for the money you already have. This attracts more abundance into your life.

Overcoming Financial Blockages

Fear and self-doubt often hold people back from financial success. Identify your specific money fears. Common ones include:

• Fear of failure
• Fear of success
• Fear of taking risks

Challenge these fears with facts. Most are irrational and based on false beliefs.

Examine your past experiences with money. Childhood memories often shape our current attitudes. Recognise patterns that no longer serve you.

Take small, consistent actions to build confidence. Start with low-risk financial decisions and gradually increase your comfort zone.

Harnessing Tenacity and Purpose

Success requires perseverance. Set clear, specific financial goals. Break them down into actionable steps.

Stay focused on your ‘why’. What drives your desire for wealth? Is it freedom, security, or the ability to help others?

Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Successful people often face setbacks before achieving their goals.

Surround yourself with supportive, like-minded individuals. Their energy and mindset can inspire and motivate you.

Take inspired action. Trust your instincts and pursue opportunities that align with your goals.

Impactful Anecdotes and Examples

Many readers might find the anecdotes in this book a bit far-fetched. Some stories seem too good to be true. Yet, these tales serve a purpose in illustrating Sincero’s key money-making principles.

Real-Life Success Stories

Sincero shares stories of people who turned their lives around financially. One example is a woman who went from living in her car to earning six figures. Another is a man who quit his job to start a successful online business.

These stories highlight common themes:

• Overcoming limiting beliefs
• Taking bold action
• Embracing discomfort

While inspiring, it’s important to note that results may vary. Not everyone will achieve such dramatic transformations.

Sincero also includes examples of small wins. These more modest successes might resonate better with some readers.

Sincero’s Personal Journey

The author’s own story features prominently. Sincero describes her struggles with debt and financial instability. She talks about living in a garage and driving a beat-up car.

Her turning point came when she decided to invest in a pricey life coach. This decision, though risky, led to significant changes:

• Doubled her income within a year
• Wrote bestselling books
• Built a successful coaching business

Sincero’s journey illustrates her core message: changing your mindset can change your financial reality. Her candid approach, admitting past mistakes, makes her story relatable.

Critical Analysis of the Book’s Approach

My Recommendation

If you’re feeling stuck or limited in your financial reality and money mindset, this book offers an accessible yet profound framework for transforming your relationship with money. You may find this book helpful, regardless of you’re an entrepreneur, employee, artist, or stay-at-home parent.

If you’re new to personal development and struggle with concepts like visualisation and affirmations, Sincero offers an entertaining initiation and simple ways to start putting ideas into practice. Her humorous analogies and stories make intangible concepts more understandable and less intimidating.

Comparing With Other Self-Help Books

Similarities and Differences

Jen Sincero’s book shares common ground with other self-help titles. It focuses on mindset shifts and personal growth. But it stands out in several ways:

1. Humour: Sincero’s writing is funnier than most finance books.
2. Practicality: She offers concrete steps, not just theory.
3. Money focus: Unlike general self-help books, it zeroes in on wealth-building.

Many self-help books preach positivity. Sincero does too, but she’s more direct. She pushes readers to take action, not just think happy thoughts.

A key difference is Sincero’s emphasis on changing money habits. This sets her book apart from broader personal development titles.

Complementary Reading Recommendations

To round out your financial education, consider these complementary reads:

1. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki: Offers a different perspective on wealth-building.
2. “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel: Dives deeper into money mindsets.
3. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear: Helps you build wealth-supporting habits.

These books can fill gaps that Sincero’s work might leave. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” provides more on investing. Meanwhile, “The Psychology of Money” explores the emotional side of finances in greater depth.

For those wanting more on habit formation, “Atomic Habits” is a great follow-up. It can help you put Sincero’s advice into practice.