As the financial year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on where your finances stand and plan for the future. Taking this time to evaluate your past financial year and set goals for the upcoming one can provide the clarity and direction needed to feel financially confident and independent.

This is especially crucial for small businesswomen who often feel overwhelmed by financial management. By working with a financial wellness coach, you can gain the clarity, direction, and structure necessary to achieve financial confidence and independence.

Reflecting on your achievements and planning for the future is not only essential for financial success but also for personal growth. I've just launched my podcast and while the whole process was challenging it was also incredibly rewarding. Celebrating this achievement with my friends and family was a reminder of how far I've come and the importance of pausing to acknowledge my success. The shift in mindset and confidence I needed to have around who I was and the value of expertise was both critical and necessary if I wanted to achieve my goal. It's the same shift required if you want to be financially well.

Mindset plays a very important role in overcoming financial stress and gaining control over your finances. It challenges the underlying beliefs you have about yourself, how you see the world, and how you react to different situations. A strong, positive mindset influences your ability to learn, grow and persevere through challenges. For example, launching my podcast required a significant mindset shift. Despite moments of self-doubt and challenges in learning new skills, I persevered by believing in myself and surrounding myself with supportive people, including my own business coach who were able to teach and guide me.

As a financial wellness coach, I provide the same support and guidance to my clients. Many women struggle with understanding their finances and feel shame or judgment about their lack of knowledge. My role is to hold space for them, support them and help them create and then build financial confidence. This support is especially important as the financial year ends and a new one begins. It's the time of year where there's a lot of talk about setting goals though if you don't feel confident, then setting any financial goal is going to feel complicated and out of reach. It's about starting where you're at. It's about recognizing what is the extra 1% you can do each day to bring you close to those dreams and goals you have goals.

Reflecting on my journey, I realise that perseverance and determination have been the key drivers which have enabled me to achieve my goals - whether it's launching a podcast, completing a marathon, or gaining financial confidence. In 2021, I completed my first 50km Ultra Trail marathon - something that required a strong mindset and unwavering belief in myself. Despite the obvious physical challenges and moments of doubt, I never considered giving up. This same mindset is what I feel business women need when they are confronted with the day-to-day challenges of being in business which includes managing financial challenges. By committing to your goals, believing in your ability to succeed and having the support of a team of advisors around you means you're well on your way to achieving financial independence and success.

Don't get me wrong, working on your mindset and financial wellness can be challenging, but it's absolutely essential for personal and professional growth. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and question your abilities, but having a support network and strong mindset can make all the difference. Just as I relied on my business coach and supportive community, you too can benefit from the guidance and support of a financial wellness coach. This support can help you navigate limiting beliefs around money, understand your finances better, review and implementing systems and process and ultimately be your accountability person so you take the action needed to move towards feeling more confident and in control.

So as the financial year ends, now is the time to consider investing in your financial wellness. Not only can this serve as a valuable last-minute tax deduction, but it can also provide the clarity and confidence needed to succeed in the coming year. By committing to personalized coaching, you'll have that person in your corner, cheering you on, being there to hold your hand and ensuring you do all the things needed necessary to overcome financial stress which will lead you to feeling calmer, smiling more, sleeping better and of course, make more money!