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Hey friend,

Do you get the Sunday Scaries? That axnsiou you get from thinking about Monday.

When I worked a corporate job, Sunday nights were brutal.

I’d stare at the ceiling at 2 AM wondering why I felt so stuck. 

Feeling stuck financially can hit hard — you're putting in the effort but don't have the results to show for it.

If you've been there too, let's talk about what might really be going on and what you can do to get “unstuck.”

Why We Feel Stuck

When it comes to money, it’s easy to feel like you’re not making any progress.

Whether you’re investing, increasing your income, or paying down debt, it can feel like you’re climbing a mountain that just keeps getting taller.

At first, progress feels easy. Each step is exciting because anything is better than nothing.

Simply taking ownership of your finances puts you ahead of most people.

But the higher you climb, the harder it gets to do better. The quick wins are gone, and the hard work begins. Unexpected expenses or setbacks can make it feel like you’re back to square one. 

When progress slows, it’s tempting to stop climbing. It can feel like you’ve hit a dead end, stuck on a ledge.

But feeling stuck is part of the process — it forces you to pause, reflect, and ask: 

Am I really doing everything I can?

Often, the peak is closer than we think. 

Get Back on Track

After we work on something for a long time, we tend to develop tunnel vision and lose sight of the bigger picture.

Here are 3 strategies that helped me clear my head and get moving again:

1. Take a Step Back

When I had the Sunday Scaries, I always beat myself up for not hitting my “ready to quit number” in my bank account yet. 

But in retrospect, I was much closer than I’d been 8 months ago. 

Whenever you feel stuck, reflect on where you were a year ago. 

What challenges have you overcome? What moments made you proud?

Giving yourself credit builds momentum by celebrating how far you’ve come rather than focusing on the distance ahead.

2. Get Nervous

You can't do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.

You need to shake things up and try something new — something that scares you.

I'm not suggesting you YOLO everything on meme stocks, but you should look for opportunities to step outside your comfort zone.

If you’ve been gunning for a promotion for the past 12 months and it doesn't seem like your boss is seriously considering it, try something different.

Update your resume, apply for jobs you're not 100% qualified for, and message that friend from college who works at that company you wanted to join.

If it makes you nervous, that's a good sign.

3. Challenge Yourself

A challenge is a great way to build a growth mindset. 

Completing one strengthens your locus of control In simple terms, it’s how much control you believe you have over the outcomes in your life.  

Studies show that individuals with a strong internal locus of control tend to have higher incomes and net worth because while others say "I can't because…” they're asking 'How can I…?”

If your goal is to increase your income: plan a 30 day challenge where you spend 30 minutes a day learning or refining a skill that could help you land a better job or start a side hustle.

Pick one thing, commit to it, and go all in for the length of the challenge.

For example, we recently wrapped up our free 5-day $1k Savings Challenge and we received great feedback.

Many of you were surprised by how much more you were able to save with my simple and creative strategies.

The good news is we’re making the next one even better. 

If you’re interested in joining the next $1k Savings Challenge, keep your eyes peeled for the next couple of newsletter issues.

Remember, feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing. It’s just part of the climb.

ReThinkable Quiz

My favorite things this week

Free drink from a Capital One Cafe - Who doesn’t like free stuff? Capital One Cafes are offering a free handcrafted beverage until 12/31/24

The 100 - I just started binge watching The 100. It’s from 2014 but I’m hooked. If you’re into dystopian, post-apocolypic sci-fi, consider checking it out.

Ultrahuman Ring - Okay so I’ve always wanted an Oura Ring to track my sleep and health but you have to pay for both the ring itself AND a monthly $6 fee. No, thank you. So instead, I got the Ultrahuman Ring. It doesn’t have a monthly fee and I love it. If you’re interested, Ultrahuman is giving my readers an exclusive 20% off Black Friday sale until 12/2/24.

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