Overview of 274. How to Shift Your Money Mindset and Earn More in 2026 with Mimi Bouchard
Host: Her First $100K — Guest: Mimi Bouchard (founder of Activations).
This episode explains why mindset—not spreadsheets—is the often-missing piece holding people back financially. Mimi breaks down how identity shifts reprogram your brain, why many women are socialized to fear wanting more, how to rebuild trust with yourself after setbacks, and the small, repeatable practices that change behavior long before bank balances move. The conversation includes practical habits, a short guided “activation” (visualization), and concrete actions to start rewiring your money mind this week.
Key takeaways
- Identity drives attention: changing your self-image reprograms the Reticular Activating System (RAS) to notice opportunities you previously missed.
- Thoughts are not facts: recognizing that “not all of your thoughts are true” frees you from automatic, limiting interpretations.
- Small consistent practices compound: transformation happens in tiny daily moments, not one big event.
- Bounce Back Rate > Perfectionism: measure how fast you recover from slip-ups, not how perfectly you performed. Faster recovery accelerates results.
- Add > remove: habit-building is easier when you add small positives (habit stacking) rather than only removing negatives.
- Get crystal clear about your future self: define specific dollar amounts, behaviors, and the life you want; then “act like her” in small moments.
Topics discussed
- How the Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters opportunities once your identity changes
- Money psychology vs. math: why mindset matters first
- Societal conditioning and gendered messages that discourage women from wanting wealth
- Practical mindset tools: visualization, journaling, habit stacking, and activations (audios)
- Bounce back rate: the anti-perfectionism metric for resilience after mistakes
- Overcoming low-grade, chronic money anxiety (the “bracing for impact” habit)
- Activations app: 7-day money mindset challenge and targeted visualizations (manifesting income, savings, etc.)
- The five pillars audit (mental, physical, financial, social, spiritual) to clarify priorities
Notable quotes & metaphors
- “When your identity changes, your RAS is now programmed to notice opportunities that were already there.”
- “Not all of your thoughts are true.” — a cognitive reset that reduces self-sabotage.
- Bunny-trail metaphor: old limiting thoughts = paved road; new beliefs = a small, overgrown trail that becomes a new road the more you walk it.
- “E + R = O” (Event + Response = Outcome) — you can’t always control events, but you can control your response.
Practical action items (do this week)
- Do a five-pillar audit (mental, physical, financial, social, spiritual):
- Rate each 1–10, then write one concrete change per pillar.
- Define your future self:
- Pick specific dollar amounts (income, savings, investments). Name how she thinks, spends, and feels. Keep this visible.
- Practice one quick visualization/activation daily (2–10 min):
- Example prompt: picture a specific dollar amount, feel the confidence and freedom, ask “What action today aligns me with that number?”
- Track your bounce back rate:
- When you “mess up” (overspend, miss a habit), note how many hours/days it takes you to resume the habit. Aim to shorten this time.
- Habit stack one positive onto an existing routine:
- e.g., listen to a 5–10 minute mindset activation while walking, or journal while having morning coffee.
- Stop avoiding your accounts:
- Schedule a weekly 10–15 minute money check-in. Reduces anxiety and builds trust with yourself.
Short sample activation (excerpt from episode)
- “Picture a specific dollar amount… see the number in your account. It doesn’t matter that it hasn’t arrived yet. Ask: Why do I want this number? What action today aligns me with that number? Breathe it in. This number is possible. It’s not if. It’s when.”
Resources & offers mentioned
- Activations app — special offer for listeners: 14-day free trial + largest available discount at activations.com/financialfeminist (includes Mimi’s 7-day Money Mindset Challenge and targeted visualizations).
- Sponsors/promotions: Squarespace (discount code FFPOD), MasterClass (discount link), Bilt (housing rewards), NetSuite by Oracle (business AI/ERP), Quince (apparel), Quantum Fiber.
Quick checklist to get started (one-minute version)
- Grab a notebook. Do a 10-minute five-pillar audit.
- Write one concrete future-self money metric (monthly or yearly).
- Schedule three 5–10 minute daily check-ins this week: brief visualization, account glance, and a micro-action (save $X, email for a raise, pitch one client).
- If you slip, record how quickly you bounce back — aim to shorten that time next time.
This episode is a practical mix of psychology and tiny, repeatable practices—use the activation/visualization + the bounce-back mindset to move from stalled intentions to consistent behavior that changes outcomes.
