New York Times best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of the Women & Money podcast Suze Orman recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor in her neck and shared the lessons she learned from the health struggle. Facing physical limitations, Orman found it difficult to believe she would be able to do the things she loved again.
The Path to Orman’s Surgery in 2020
In July of 2020, Orman had emergency surgery to remove a tumor from her spinal cord after she ignored troubling signs from months prior. “With money,” she said after the fact, “the reason we don’t do the things we need to do is because we are afraid. We are afraid of making mistakes. I was in that mode, but with my health.”
She had trouble writing and eating before she reached out to her general practitioner, who examined her symptoms. After examining the issues, he asked her to travel to Florida for an MRI. When she eventually did go, her doctor said that 80% of her spinal cord was cut off by a non-cancerous tumor in her neck, which had been growing for about 15 years. They removed the mass and replaced two disks with titanium.
Don’t Restrict Yourself From Doing What You Love
During the years following the surgery, Orman couldn’t go boating or travel often, stating that it was hard not to listen to the voice of fear saying she wouldn’t be able to do what she loved anymore. “I settled into a life where I did some things, but I really didn’t do much at all,” Orman said on her podcast.
In time, Orman chose to overcome these limiting beliefs, starting with small steps until she felt confident enough to return to her boat. Small steps are all it takes to do what you think you can’t, and she realized that she could start the journey.
“What I’m trying to say to all of you is I am capable. I am more capable than I ever had any idea [I was],” Orman continued.
Finding a Financial Lesson
As an expert in personal finance, it is unsurprising that Orman would find a financial lesson in all of this. She suggested that many people approach finances in the way that she had treated her health and recovery. From this perspective, they ignore pressing needs and choose to believe that they can’t manage their money, make investments, or escape debt. They leave money in low-interest accounts, hand it over to an advisor, or just sit and do nothing with it.
“That is no way to live a life,” Orman explained. “It was no way for me to live my life.”
Rather than ignoring personal and financial needs, Orman suggested the following: “Write down everything that you think you are capable of doing. Then choose one, just one, and I want you to do it. Not asking a lot, but I’m asking you to start living a life where you are more capable than you have any idea.”
Recognize Your Capabilities
Orman asked her listeners to examine their own capabilities, recognize where they are already capable or where they think themselves capable, and start from there. These are the small steps that got Orman back in her boat, and these are the small steps that can help anyone find financial success. Her message is for everyone to take ownership of their personal finances and improve their standing through confidence and knowledge.
Your Limits Are the Real Obstacles
Orman’s example shows that, wherever you might face challenges, the limits you impose on yourself are the most dangerous obstacles in your way. They can hurt your physical and financial health equally if you let them stop you from moving forward. You are more capable than you know, so don’t let yourself be held back from finding success.
