Having spent many years and hundreds of hours in financial planning with clients, I am very familiar with the typical questions of the profession:

It's almost assumed that we just need "more." And "more is better." So, just do whatever you can to make as much as you can. General. Generic. A punt in many ways!

Until I heard ex-attorney turned coach Alexis Neely question the idea that we just needed more...(and describe a vision of "money mapping,") I hadn't considered these 4 questions. And not only are the questions freeing, they can also help us move forward with more money confidence in the earning end of things... not just the spending, saving or investing parts of the questions.

These questions help get to what we desire.... A zone that too many of us fail to examine without judgement, fear or critique.

How you honestly answer these questions may also allow you to know whether to take a job, leave a job, start a business, charge for your services or give philanthropically.

Here are the questions to consider how much you need to earn.

And even before adding numbers, just describe what it. (For example, "I am able to pay our mortgage without worry" or "I purchase a home near the ocean" or "I give $100,000 to my church" whatever....)

1. What do you need to be happy?

This takes into consideration where you need to live to be OK, what to spend on key expenses and paying your bills. But, if you had this much, you would be OK. Happy. You'd feel fine. You'd be content.

It may be much less than you're current earning. May be much more. May be just a bit different. Or the same.

Of course, God invites us to be content with whatever we have now... but God also invites us to be "ask," to share the "desires of our hearts."

2. What would be better still?

This involves owning your desires for lifestyle but not being so "out there" that you'd have to win the lottery to be here. It may also involve your desires to be generous. Experience some good things you've put on hold.

3. What would you want if you had no limits?

No, not being gluttonous, but being real. How much would you want to earn if you could do things that really bring value to many people? What kinds of things do you desire... the real you in you?

4. What stands in the gap between where you earn now and what you desire?

Of course this one could be super-complex, deep and way-down-in the soul ... or could be something quite simple. It may mean you need to earn less! Or it may involve honestly owning your desires and realizing the value of your own gifts.

Some options to consider:

• Willingness to clarify your values?

• Willingness to pursue opportunity?

• Fear to be dealt with?

• Definition of what you really want?

• A spiritual stuckness around money and income?

• In the wrong profession?

• Needing a clear strategy?

Just a thought if this really exercise really applies to you. Print this out. Go to Starbucks or even better out somewhere in a nice setting... and write the answers. (You may even need a calculator)

Hope you find this exercise helpful and FREEING!!