The concept of money can be very elusive to an entrepreneur, particularly when we enter the holiday season when some companies prosper and others are challenged financially. The opportunity for all entrepreneurs is to learn to trust the ebb and flow of money. Notice that the word ?learn? is in the prior sentence. We learn to trust ? to change our thinking and beliefs about money so that money can flow freely to us and from us.

The challenge for many entrepreneurs is having enough money. While this challenge is real, the first place to start working on it is in our thoughts and actions, not by looking at our bank account. Money challenges start and end within us. Below are a few concepts that have helped myself and many of the entrepreneurs I work with learn to trust the ebb and flow of money:

Trust instead of control. What is the difference you might say? When we trust we believe in something we cannot see. Faith and belief are our driving motive ? not fear. When we are trying to control, fear or some other negative emotion is usually driving our thoughts and actions. Control can be disguised. For example, we may tell ourselves we are not going to buy that new car that we really want, need and can afford because the economy is bad or for some other reason when in reality, we know that we aren't buying it because we are afraid. This kind of behavior is actually supported by society so it is difficult to identify and change. Look at your motive. If fear is beneath your thoughts and actions then you may be trying to control money. Trying to control money can result in self-deprivation. I know because I spent years unlearning control and learning to trust. Give trust a chance, what do you have to lose?

Make the decision to trust. Yes, we can decide to trust. It is part of learning new behaviors. When we decide to trust however, we have to be willing to give up fear and other non-trusting thoughts and actions. There is a trade off. For example, when we choose to trust, we give up fear. We cannot be trusting and fearful at the same time. When you begin to trust, you can expect it to feel strange. It's new behavior, so it will feel strange. That is okay. Clients who have practiced trusting over time have said to me, ?I'm not afraid anymore, but is that okay?? That is how I know they are learning to trust. I have seen the concept of trust work so many times that I know there is truth to it.

Stop giving money power. Money is not powerful ? we are powerful. Sometimes we can forget that and think that money is what makes us powerful. Money just is. It only has power over us if we let it. Money usually has power over us if we are afraid to spend it. Unfortunately, if we are afraid to spend it we are usually afraid to receive it too. Are you giving money power over you? How will you take your power back?

Know you will be okay no matter what. Believe that you are receiving what is for your highest good ? this is a concept that allows us to believe that we have exactly what we need for today. I choose to believe this. It is your choice as well. Remind yourself as often as necessary, ?I will be okay no matter what.? Post it on your mirror if you have to. Say it in your car. Believe it because it is true.

Many of us work through our money fears through our business. Because of the passion we have for what we are doing ? the love of our work, we become willing to risk failure, risk losing money, risk giving up our old ways. Money may be the last thing that shows up in our business. It comes to us after we learn whatever it is we need to learn. Money waits until we are ready and willing to receive it.

Trust the ebb and flow of money and discover a whole new medium ? a whole new way to live and enjoy money. By doing do you become real ? your true self. And that is something that even money can't buy.