No money personality is all bad or all good but a complex grouping of various traits that are part of our belief system. Our belief clusters (memories and conclusions from long ago) support our money behavior, and ultimately make up our complete money personality. There are a series of traits that guide behavior on a number of levels and make up these belief clusters. When one trait becomes more dominate, such as the desire to spend for recognition or hoard to feel more secure, this creates an imbalance in our emotional script. This imbalance is the embodiment of the behavior that reveals itself as the out of control part of your money personality type.

In the chart below, each personality type has an aspect that works to affirm or defeat the authentic self.

Rebalancing the imprinted traits

The trait chart brings into focus the ying and yang of each personality type. There is an element to be admired on the one hand and cringe on the other for each type. It lets you know that each type is a part of the complex make-up of human beings. Where things begin to spin out of control occurs when a particular side of the equation has become outsized in relation to the whole.  We strive to bring back into balance the traits that are self defeating rather than trying to completely erase the imprint. If we try to completely erase an imprint, then we create a greater imbalance even more in conflict with the established personality. I say that because no matter how dysfunctional a behavior is, for each person it serves some useful purpose known only to their unconscious. It helps to illustrate this by accepting that some of these traits have been with each person for many years and in a strange manner are almost regarded as a friend. In a test of wills, the “friend” will win!

When we bring into consciousness that there is a well functioning part of each money type, it serves to remove the tendency that causes the personality type to feel under assault. One of our primary coping mechanisms when under assault is to launch a counter offensive by denying “I really don’t spend that much”; or projecting “It’s not me with the problem.”  The advantage of understanding that there is an affirming and self-defeating aspect of the equation offers hope to the receiver that they have not been painted into a corner of being all bad. A positive expectation is created that they can negotiate those portions they wish to change but also keep those traits that support their overall personality. I call it creating an expectation of success.

It is very much like that building block game where blocks are stacked upon each other and very carefully one has to remove a block from the structure. Several blocks may be removed and the structure can still stand. But, remove too many blocks and the structure will become shaky and ultimately crumble.