Most of us have taken a walk around town or along a path and come across a breed of dog that we didn’t recognize. If we’re curious, we look at the owner and ask, “What kind of dog is that?”

Most dog owners, if they are of the proud dog parent group, will happily stop and tell you the breed of their dog (even if he’s a mutt or a mix:-), a little history, where they got it, etc. We listen, happy to learn a little bit about a new type of dog, pet the dog a bit if we’re so inclined and then say our goodbyes. We then walk one way and the dog and owner(s) walk the other way, probably never to meet again.

Human’s habitual need to classify

Imagine if we did this with people? Ah, you see where I’m going? We DO do this with people. (My boyfriend, Steve, despises it when I use two do’s in a row:-).

When we see someone with a strange looking face or we hear an accent or language we don’t recognize, we’ll often ask him or her, “So where are you from?”

Now there’s nothing wrong with this. As long as our curiosity stops short of the judgments that often (not always) follow.

For instance, I have several Jewish friends and they can’t stand the stereotypes that say that all Jewish people are spendthrifts.

I have an Indian friend who tells me that people ‘expect’ him to have a ton of money because so many tribes are involved with casinos these days. However, he is a hard-working man, just like most of us and doesn’t have a ton of money, yet.

Financial judgments are hard to overcome

Our subconscious financial beliefs, e.g., I could never be rich, making lots of money takes a lot of hard work, rich people are greedy, etc., have so much control over how much money we end up having or not having in our lives. And making these financial judgments about others plays right into those beliefs because it is the beliefs that cause the judgment in the first place.

A personal example: I’m not sure if I’ve shared this before, but last year while visiting my mother, I heard her say, in response to an article in the paper, “Those rich bitches…” I was shocked and had no idea where this came from. I also noticed my nauseous response to her words.

After a similar response while I was visiting her recently, I decided to bring it up…if nothing but for my own edification and curiosity as it relates to growth around my OWN financial beliefs.

I said, “So I have a question. Why is it that you have this ‘thing’ against rich people when you yourself actually grew up as the rich girl in your town?”

She was sort of shocked by my question. She didn’t rebuke it. She wasn’t defensive. She just sort of sat there pondering the question. The end result was that she wasn’t really sure.

We didn’t go into it any further though the question led to her telling me several stories about how her mother helped many of the neighbors in the little town where she drew up. At 76 years old and unhealthy an unhealthy 76 at that, I didn’t see any need to probe further. I suspect, however, that she will ponder if further on her own.

Your financial belief wealthwork (i.e., homework)

1. Simply watch what you think and say and feel about people who have more money than you. Notice I did not say RICH or WEALTHY. We often have powerful judgments about any who (we suspect) has more money than we have.

2. When you catch yourself in one of these moments, stop yourself and ask, “Wow, I wonder where THAT came from?” Thought it’s not necessary to always know where the unsupportive belief came from, it can be quite enlightening if you can figure it out.

3. Take a piece of paper and a pen and create a more supportive, dare I say positive, belief around what you were thinking, saying or feeling. Example: If you think rich people are greedy, think instead, “Rich people donate a lot of money to others in need.” Because they DO!

4. Give yourself some time to let your beliefs change. Old habits, and judgments are essentially habits, die slowly and must be replaced with new habits, i.e., supportive thoughts replacing the unsupportive thought.

OK, now go out there and start paying attention to yourself. I promise you’ll be very interesting. We all are.

Just something else to think about.