A Powerful Group Exercise to Let Go of Limiting Beliefs around Money | by Ruby McGuire

Money is one of those things that evokes a lot of emotion.

Many of us don't like asking for money for our services—it makes us feel uncomfortable. Well, you'll need to suck it up! If you're in business, honey, you're going to have to ask people to pay you. Money is just an exchange, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll get more clients into your business.

Think about something you recently bought. Would you have paid another $100 for it? One person might still think it was great value; another would never buy it at that higher price point.

For example, I was talking with my bestie the other day about card-making supplies. The prices have gone up quite significantly recently, and we both said that above $100 for a set of stamps and dies would be too much. What about $101, $102? How did we even come up with that amount in our heads? I find it all so interesting.

Today I want to share a fabulous money game that you can use in a group setting to explore and release limiting beliefs around money—and the results are fascinating!

My lovely friend Geraldine Kelly taught me the basic idea many years ago, and the money conversation that follows tends to be enlightening for everyone.

How to play this money game for groups

Setup

1. Gather together some paper money of different values. (I use Monopoly money, but you can use any paper money—even make up your own.)
2. Randomly give each participant one banknote.
3. Tell everyone that you're going to set a one-minute timer and they are going to pass the 'money' around the table to the person on their right.

Round one

1. Set a timer for one minute and now ask the participants to pass the money around the table (and to keep on passing it until the time is up).
2. Notice what's happening as they do. Some people might not want to pass the money on, some will pass it on very quickly, some will want to collect it as they go and then realize they can't.
3. Encourage everyone to keep the money moving around the table. Nobody is allowed to store it.
4. After one minute, stop the timer and ask them to share their experiences with you.

Round two

1. Do the same thing again, adding in a bit more money as they start to pass it around.
2. Notice the dynamics of what's happening again. And make sure the money is constantly moving.
3. At the one minute mark, stop the timer and ask what came up for everyone this time.

Round three

1. Do a final round in the same way. Add in a little more money again.
2. You might notice that people are starting to hold onto the higher-value notes, and not wanting to pass them on. There might be lots of little interesting behaviours happening. Take note: you'll be sharing your observations later.
3. At one minute, stop the timer and get feedback for the final time.

So, what does the game reveal?

Ask the group some questions:

• How did they feel about the smaller denominations of money?
• How did they feel about the larger denominations of money?
• Did they notice they had any emotional charge as the money was passed around?
• What thoughts were running through their heads as they passed the money on to the next person?

And this juicy question:

• How does the way they handled the money relate to their personal money story?

Now go a little deeper

The participants then share how accurately their response reflects how they feel about money generally.

This opens up a great conversation about money:

• What are their "set limits"?
• What impact does this have on their spending/saving?
• What limiting beliefs are they creating around money?
• Where did their money beliefs originate?
• Who do they know that's successful with money?
• Who do they know that always has money issues?
• What do they notice about these people?

Finally, bring the exercise to a close

To conclude the session, share your own observations and explore further with individuals, or collectively if people are comfortable sharing.

Remember: money can trigger people, so always treat the participants with respect and compassion. If they don't want to share, that's okay.

You might want to conclude by asking people to share their "big takeaway" from this exercise, or to share "one thing" they will do differently going forwards relating to how they manage/spend their money.

Wrap-up

Of course this exercise isn't just for our clients! What's your "money story"?

Why not 'try out' this exercise with a few people you feel safe sharing with to get a feel for how it works?

Either way, start to notice what you say to others about money, and what you tell yourself. You may find you're carrying around old beliefs that no longer serve you.

Lastly, if you do have limiting beliefs around money, then work with someone to release your money blocks. Because if you want to run a successful coaching business and bring money in you need to clear your own blocks.

Just think—what would you be capable of if you let go of all your limiting beliefs around money?

You May Also Like:

• 2021 PRODUCT REVIEW by Ruby McGuire: Transformika Coaching Cards (includes using the cards in Groups)
• Aha! Moments Exercise 1 (for groups and individuals): Working with Imagery to Access Intuition & Go Deeper with Clients by Marcy Nelson-Garrison
• 6 Fabulous Ways to Use Cards in Groups & Workshops by Jennifer Britton

Contributing Author:

Ruby McGuire is a Business & Mindset Queen. She's an Accredited Master Coach & Master Mentor with the IAPC&M, Trainer, Inspirational Speaker and Author of multiple books. She loves helping her clients step up and become leaders (aka Queens) of their businesses. She helps her clients develop their leadership and business skills, create a success mindset and attract dreamy clients. She is a Brit on a mission to live a simpler life without marketing on social media so that she can spend more time in her beautiful Scottish surroundings. You can find her at her pretty online home, over on her podcast show, Rock Your Fabulous Biz, and here where she shares her Mini Guide to Marketing Without Social Media. When she’s not working you’ll find her surrounded by books, making hand-made cards, and enjoying life with her hubby, little dog and chickens (usually with a Whittard Vanilla cappuccino in her hand)!

Learn more about Ruby & see all their articles here >>