Reset Your Money Beliefs with Special Guest Darren Wurz

I recently sat down with Darren Wurz, founder of The Lawyer Millionaire and a financial advisor who works exclusively with law firm owners. Our conversation revealed fascinating insights about the unconscious beliefs that shape how lawyers handle money.

There's a whole lot more that we cover in the podcast version of Be a Better Lawyer (?? click here to listen), but in this good old-fashioned written edition of Be a Better Lawyer Insider, I'll share a few key takeaways from our discussion to help you understand and improve your relationship with money.

If you want to learn more about your psychology and money, keep reading.

4 Common Money Scripts Holding Lawyers Back from Attracting Money

Money scripts are beliefs about money inherited from our parents, religious institutions, and early experiences. It's the narratives we tell ourselves about money. While not inherently wrong, they can limit us when applied universally.

Here are the four key money scripts that often hold lawyers back from attracting more money:

1. Money Avoidance

"Many lawyers feel guilty about making money or asking to be paid what they're worth," Darren explains. "This often stems from religious or cultural upbringing where money was viewed as somehow evil or corrupt."

This manifests as:

• Undercharging for services
• Avoiding looking at finances
• Feeling uncomfortable discussing fees
• Giving away services for free

2. Money Worship

The belief that more money will solve everything often leads to:

• Constantly moving goal posts of what it means to make "enough" money
• Overworking and burnout
• Overspending despite having a high income
• Never feeling financially secure

"One of the biggest lies that law firm owners tell themselves," Darren notes, "is that more money will make everything better."

"The goal post is always moving. We think, 'If I can just get to this revenue level, I'll be set.' But when you get there, it's not enough."

3. Money Status

This script ties self-worth to net worth.

Just because someone appears wealthy doesn't mean they have love their lives.

Signs of tying money to status include:

• Making purchases to impress others
• Comparing yourself to other lawyers and how well they're doing
• Keeping up with the Joneses
• Fear of appearing unsuccessful

4. Money Vigilance

While saving is important, excessive vigilance can be limiting.

Signs that you may be overly vigilant with money include:

• Avoiding necessary business investments
• Refusing to spend even when you have plenty of cash reserves
• On track to leave this physical body with far more money in the bank than you'll ever spend in your lifetime
• Missing opportunities for growth because you're fearful to spend

Breaking Free from Old Money Scripts

Here are a few practical steps that will help you break free from old money scripts.

Know this now: it may be uncomfortable to do these things.

If you've had old money scripts running in your head for the last 30+ years, then doing anything new that challenges those old money scripts is the work ahead.

This is why having a coach who understands what you're going through is so helpful. They'll help you not only with a game plan of how to move forward but help you with the psychology of following through.

1. Schedule Money Time: "Put it in your calendar," Darren advises. "Have a money day. For me, it's Saturday mornings before everyone gets up. I review transactions, check budgets, and make necessary adjustments."
2. Start Small: "You never make too little to save," Darren emphasizes. "Start with just 1% of your income - I guarantee you won't miss it. There's no such thing as too small of savings."
3. Face the Numbers: "We don't want to look because we're too busy, but then we know it's a big hot mess," Darren says. "Start from this point forward. Leave the past in the past. We can't do anything about the mess behind us, but we can start fresh today."

Your Next Steps

If you want help mastering your mindset around money and time, here are some resources you can take advantage of.

1?? Book a strategy session with me at dinacataldo.com/strategysession and take the first step toward a more abundant future.

2?? Join Darren's Lawyer Millionaire Book Club at community.lawyermillionaire.com, where law firm owners connect and grow together.

3?? Listen to Darren's podcast, "The Lawyer Millionaire."

I'd love to continue this conversation in the comments.

What are your thoughts about money and how it plays a role in your life and law practice?

??

Dina

Dive deeper into this and other topics just for lawyers.

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How Dina Can Help You

Dina Cataldo is a leading legal industry expert, master certified coach, speaker, and host of the popular podcast “Be a Better Lawyer.”

She helps lawyers take control of their lives and law practices by helping them remove obstacles to growth and create time freedom and peace. These skills allow lawyers to build their practices with more ease than they ever imagined possible.

Dina's insights and advice have been featured on various prominent platforms. She's spoken at the Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting, on podcasts like “Law Firm Autopilot” and “Maximum Lawyer Podcast,” and more.

Through her coaching and speaking, Dina has positively impacted the lives of thousands of lawyers, helping them manage their time, overcome overwhelm, boost self-confidence, and find fulfillment in their legal careers.

Her empathetic and strategic approach has made her a sought-after coach among partners, solo practitioners, and boutique firm owners.

Dina Cataldo is a trailblazer in the legal industry, and she continues to inspire and empower big hearted female lawyers, to achieve professional success and personal fulfillment.

To book a call with her to learn more about working with her one-on-one to build your practice with ease instead of overwhelm, go to dinacataldo.com/strategysession.