Today’s post is from an amazing woman and coach whom I admire so much, Jeanna Gabellini:

Stressed out about money?

It feels like a tidal wave of panic. It sucks you down farther as you wonder how you got in this mess. You really start drowning, searching for air, when you can’t seem to find clarity on how you’ll fix this TODAY! Everywhere you turn seems like a dead end.

I understand. I’ve been there more than once!

My advice? Stop the head trip. Put the analyzing on hold for a moment… or two. Allow yourself to fully experience the emotional reaction you’re having to this situation. If you feel helpless, let it bubble up.

Mad as heck? Let it rip. Full permission here.

It does feel AWFUL. It feels like you have no control. It really feels like crud when you know you could’ve done some things differently to avoid this mess.

But you’re here. So be here fully.

NOTE: Don’t allow this process to happen in front of anyone who’ll try to fix this or get stressed out with you.

You have to not only be thinking clearly before you act, but you must be able to give all your attention to where you want to land on the other side of this crisis. Clearly outline the results you want—not just to solve this crisis but to also discontinue the behaviors and habits that helped you arrive here.

Begin by looking backward to see what actions and thinking patterns need to change. You can do this on your own or use your financial planner, accountant, and/or coach to sort through the rubble.

Next, ask yourself if there’s any action that will give you some breathing room. You may have to ask some hard questions of people you don’t want to ask. I’ve had to call my financial planner, on more than one occasion, to pull money out of my investments to pay for unexpected tax bills.

Take the time to truly assess your overall financial picture… without emotional reaction. Knowing your numbers is very powerful even when you don’t like what they say. It may even soothe your nerves. If you’ve been in denial, this may be a wake-up call. Either way, it gives you a sense of control.

Now you’re ready to brainstorm solutions that’ll feel good. The first few options that come to mind are generally the ones that feel like a negative trade-off if you take them. Don’t move forward yet.

Do you feel confident that you are up for this change? Do you see the possibility of becoming a person who consistently has a good relationship with money? You don’t have to feel totally sure about the future, but you have to have a glimmer of hope.

Give yourself a break with the amount of time this process may take you. One foot in front of the other. Breathe. Deep breaths.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, although you may have to look really hard to see it. It’ll be important to have someone to check in with during this process.

I turned around a three-year financial fiasco in less than a year. As a result of thinking differently and taking consistent baby steps, my income doubled. The main focus was appreciating every small effort I made. I did not allow myself to sink into a black hole, thinking about how slow the process was for me.

I stopped judging myself.

You can do this too. You’re not stuck. Consider yourself unstuck, perfectly sane, and take a baby step right now. When you’re done, breathe some more.

I’m rooting you on!