Your Money, Your Rules | Money Mindset, Money Management, Abundance Mindset, Budgeting, Spirituality

169 | Want to Stop Feeling Pressured with Money Decisions? Understand Your Root Center in Human Design

• Erin Gray | Wealth Coach, Former CFP and CFO

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In this episode, we explore how the Human Design Root Center influences pressure, productivity, and financial decision-making for women entrepreneurs. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, rushed, or stuck in survival-mode with money, this podcast teaches you how to use body awareness, emotional regulation, and your natural decision authority to create calm, confident decisions. You’ll learn practical tools to reduce financial anxiety, stop urgency-driven choices, and create a money strategy that aligns with your energy instead of pushing against it. 


In this episode we discuss:

  • Defined vs undefined root center patterns and money behaviors
  • Healthy stress versus survival stress in the body
  • “Is this energy mine” as a daily check
  • Calendars, buffers, and boundaries to reduce overwhelm
  • Choosing money moves from calm authority, not urgency
  • Small weekly experiments to build decision trust


Resources mentioned in this episode:



Other ways to connect with me:

Come learn with me in my monthly workshops

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Work with Me

➡️ Schedule your free clarity call here


From my soul to yours,

Erin

Erin Gray:

Today, I am going to share a workshop that I hosted around feeling pressured in your business and especially when making financial decisions. One of the biggest things that I help and teach my clients to do is to learn how to actually slow down, to actually feel the pressure that you are feeling in your body, to reconnect to your body, and to make decisions from a calm and connected, intuitive place, not from a rushed and fearful one. So this episode is gonna be a little bit more advanced when it comes to human design. So if you are brand new to human design or you have no idea what I am talking about or referring to, I recommend you listen to episode 90 first. I'm gonna put that episode um link it in the show notes. And if you are new to human design, you can go on my website, you can receive your human design chart, as well as take an introductory course that I did with a colleague of mine. I'm gonna put both of those links in the show notes as well. So you can start there first. So if you are new to human design, go do those things first and then come back and listen to this episode. Also, as I have said before on the podcast, you know, I use human design as a tool, not an end-all-be-all, definitely not the Bible, definitely not something to outsource our power to. That is one of the things as well that I teach clients is like stop outsourcing our power to our advisors, our mentors, human design, anything external outside of us. And I do want to say it has been incredibly helpful for me and to guide my clients to understand when they understand parts of their chart and all of their chart. But like I kind of use it kind of from a behind-the-scenes standpoint. When you start to understand how these parts of your chart actually play into the whole of who you are, you start to recognize them um more easily and you kind of it's like you're onto yourself, right? Like so with the root center that I'm gonna be talking about today and how that creates pressure, you know, it's gonna show up for you whether you are defined or undefined. And one of the things that you will learn in the workshop that I had is that you will begin to recognize is this pressure coming from an internal pressure or an external? Are you trying to make decisions? The most important thing to take away from today is are you trying to make decisions while you're in that pressured state? Because we all know that nothing good comes from decisions made from urgency fear or that tight, frantic, you know, FOMO energy that a lot of us know all too well, and a lot of marketers use on us. So when you can pause, when you can feel into your body, when you can tap back into your intuition, when you tap into your body, you recognize what's going on with your body, you become more clear about actually what is going on and whether it is better to make a decision right now or not. And so just as you listen to this workshop, think about pull your chart out. Think about okay, you know, where have I been making decisions from that pressured place? Am I creating the pressure? Am I allowing others to pressure me into something, right? Am I giving my power away and allowing others to pressure me when I need more time to make a decision? So just come into it like everything with an open mind and have some fun with it. Okay, so the root center is a pressure center. And like I've said in the past, I just use human design as a tool. I don't believe it's the Bible, I don't believe it's the end-all be-all. I think it's it's a way for you to really hone and get connected back to your intuition. And, you know, I've supported clients that have a defined root center, I've supported clients that don't. I don't have a defined root center. And I think it presents a lot of times very similarly. So this is the pressure center. So you're gonna feel like the pressure to do, and it is a motor center, meaning that it gives us energy and resources we need to co-create. So this center is driven by adrenalized stress and pressure. And you know, not all stress is bad stress. The stress that puts us into fight, flight, freeze, that's not great stress. The stress that gets us going and gets us to, you know, build a business in a healthy way, to take care of our body, to eat, you know, that feels good to our body. There's certain things that, you know, the the things that light our soul on fire, that that pressure, that stress to get started and to do the thing, that's that's good and healthy. It's when we are in that more survival base that I call it, you know, of that fight, flight freeze, where that's not good stress to be in. So this center helps us get things done. And what I want you to be aware of is if you aren't mindful, this can create a lot of stress if we don't use it correctly. So you might have an experience periods of more pressure than others. I I think this is goes back to like you're gonna have to play with your body and see what this feels like in your body. Like this whole week, I've noticed that I was feeling a lot of pressure. And I think part of it is old patterns, old conditioning around working. I think also it is, you know, who you might be around and feeding off of. So just play with this and just recognize, you know, I wanna, I wanna go over whether you have a defined or an undefined root center and also just bring it back to what does it feel like in your body? And is this a healthy stress or is this an unhealthy stress? So 60% of the population is going to have a defined root. So you might feel consistent pressure to get things done. I have an undefined root and I feel that, and I have an undefined root. So this is where I think don't hold what human design says as this, oh, right? Like you have to just play with it and just see what this feels like for you. So if you have another motor center, like we talked about before, like your sacral, right? So that would make you either a manifesting generator or a generator, or your solar plexus is defined, or your will center, also called the ego or the heart center, if that's defined, then that energy of that root, if you're defined, might be amplified because you have other motors in your chart that are defined. So what's really important that I think, regardless whether you're defined, undefined in your root center or any part of your chart, is you need to really tap into your body and know when rest is important for you and when to rest. I think a lot of us go too hard and too fast for too long, and then we can burn ourselves out versus really tapping into our body and asking ourselves, maybe you do need to get up from your desk and rest some. Maybe you do need to say, I'm not coming in early and I'm gonna do, you know, just take some time for me, or on the weekend, or whatever it might be, just making sure that you are staying connected to your body and how you feel and resting when you need to rest. So the thing that I have found that has been helpful, regardless if you have a defined route or not, is when you are noticing that pressure, do you need to actually move your body to dissipate that energy and that and that pressure? Sometimes you might actually it might feel good to actually move. Sometimes it might actually feel better to get more still and to get curious about what's happening. So when the root is, you know, that that center, obviously, if you're defined, when it's when you're feeling that pressure, you might feel that, you know, energy, that amount of energy to like, I always call it like the to-do list is never done, right? Like we might feel all of these things that we need to do. So really just honoring and checking in when is it time to actually do stuff? When is it time to actually rest and rejuvenate? So if you have an undefined root center, you make up roughly 40% of the population. And typically what we do with all the other centers, just like this one, is if you are undefined or you're open, that means that you know, you're you we don't, we don't necessarily want to be in the habit of this, but this is typically what happens when we are not aware is we take on the energies of others and then we amplify that energy. So think about, at least in the Western world, how much the Western society, the business world, really stresses and pressure, like pressure around hustle and like getting there as quickly as possible and overnight success and just so much pressure to get to the next goal, to get to the next thing, right? It's almost like we don't sit back and relax and enjoy what we've created. We're before we're even like maybe we're 75 to 80% there, we're already thinking about our next goal. And so what you want to be aware of and mindful of is what energy am I in when I am number one, doing the thing that I'm doing? Is it coming from a pressured place? And also, is this something that I want to change, right? Is it something that you're just so used to it that you don't even know what not feeling pressure feels like in your body? So you might have that feeling of like just constantly feeling or thinking you need to get things done. And and this has shown up, I think. Here we go back to whether you're defined or undefined, because I have had people that have a defined route and it's like they just want to get the thing done because the pressure's so intense, they want to get it off their plate. I have an undefined route and I still feel this way. I feel like there's it's something I've had to work through, but there's this underlying thread or underlying buzz around like there's always stuff to do, right? So the one thing that I always ask, whether you have an undefined or an open center, is is this energy mine? Right. Regardless of it's your root or your solar plexus or, you know, whatever it might be that we've talked about, is this energy mine? You really want to tap into that because a lot of times when I ask myself that question, more often than not, the answer is no. It's probably coming from either someone I'm around or it's coming from conditioning of how I grew up. So I wanna, I wanna caution you or make you aware of like these nonstop to-do lists because having a to-do list, you will just, it seems like you will just continue to add more things on the list. So maybe setting boundaries for yourself, maybe, maybe setting when you're gonna work and when you're not gonna work. Or, you know, in terms of entering into money decisions, like what does that look like for you so that you are not feeling pressured from when I say the wrong place, what I mean is when it's not coming from a healthy place, right? So just be aware. Like, do you have a to-do list? Is it never ending? Or do you actually write down a to-do list and then schedule it and put it on your calendar? And whatever you can fit in that week is what gets done. And what you can't, then it goes to the next week or the following week. I think sometimes a lot of us are very, not very kind, right, to ourselves and our bodies and we over-schedule ourselves, or we don't allow enough time when completing a task, or we don't allow enough time when we're learning a new skill to have that buffer. And so we overschedule ourselves. So just be aware, maybe you can take a look at your calendar, whether you're defined or undefined, look at your calendar. Are you overscheduling yourself? Are you giving yourself breaks? Are you allowing yourself to have pleasure and play and just a breath throughout the day? Are you doing that or is everything so tightly packed? And that is one of the things that I noticed. Like I looked at my calendar this week and I'm like, I didn't even put in, you know, like people can book with me on online, but I didn't even allow for like a lunch break. Some days it happened where I was able to have one, and then the other day it I noticed I wasn't, and and I didn't allow for that. So just noticing how packed is your schedule and what stories are coming up. If when I'm talking about, you know, maybe moving some things around, what stories are coming up about that pressure that you're feeling to get it all done. So burnout is common, right? I think it's common just in general, right? Like you don't have to define, have a defined or undefined root center. I think it's just common because we don't allow ourselves to rest. We don't value rest in the Western world. I think this is most of the world too. We don't value play. We don't value, I mean, play and pleasure are the kind of the same thing. We don't value those things. We don't value stillness, we value productivity and goals and money making and all of these tangible things. But I have said before, like, we are all the asset, each of us, right? We're each of us are the asset in our business, each of us are the asset like in our life, right? You can't expect a thoroughbred racehorse to perform at the level that you want it to perform at if you don't feed it well, if you never let it rest, if you are not kind to it, if you are constantly making it advance, advance, advance. Like that's not a healthy thing. And your racehorse isn't going to perform to for you at the level that it could if you allow it to rest and feed it really good food and give it time off and you know, give it lots of love. So, in a way, like we are kind of like that, right? And so, how often do we get into this mindset and we may not even be aware of it because it's just our normal of what we are actually feeling in our bodies as we are going throughout our day. So I always ask, I said before, and all the other centers as well. It's like ask yourself, is this energy mine? Right, it's a great habit to get into, no matter what center it is, you know, ask yourself those questions and see what answer you get. See, you know, ask me asking more clarifying questions and really starting to tap into your body to see, giving yourself like just a second to check in with your breath, right? And and really see like what is going on here. Is this coming from my mind telling me I should, I have to, I have a certain deadline? Or is this coming from, oh, this feels fun and expansive. Let me see what I'm capable of. I feel a little pressure to get it done, but it feels expansive and like moving towards versus very heavy and like you have to do the thing. So, in terms of the root center and how it pertains to money, regardless if you are defined or undefined, really only saying yes to the type of stress that's worth entering into. And the only way that you're gonna know how what this feels like, or get used to this, or practice this skill, is to do it right over and over again. Practice and pay attention to when are you feeling stressed or when are you entering into things from like I call like that false pressure or that pressure, like I just said, about the shoulds, the have to's. And when are you in the, oh, this feels fun. Yes, it feels a little like unknown, uncertain, but it feels expansive. It feels like, oh, I'm excited to do this thing, right? Very different energy than when we're not aligned, saying yes to everything, people pleasing, right? Not being discerning about what we are saying yes and no to, pressure and making money, pressure and rushing, long list of to-dos. So really start to slow down, be intentional. And, you know, when you're starting this journey, it's easy to say slow down, but the body's like, that doesn't feel familiar, that doesn't feel safe, right? So I'm not asking you to go from 100 miles an hour to 25. I'm asking you to go from 100 miles an hour to 90. What's one less thing that you, you know, can do or take off your plate or move to next week and really start to look at your calendar, look at your financial decisions. Are you making these decisions from a rushed, a pressured place? Or are you making these decisions, decisions because it feels good and it's moving either your business or your personal life along in the process? Just gaining clarity and getting really clear on where is this decision coming from? And in order to do that, we actually have to allow time. So, like even before we do that, we might need to allow some space in our day to allow for that, to even look at that, right? So, are you scheduling, you know, 10 minutes, you know, maybe before the week starts to look at your calendar and be like, where am I in these, you know, my calendar and then the forcing and things of that sort. And maybe it's something before, you know, you schedule something. Like, is this something that I really want to do? Or am I just saying yes because I feel obligated? Like, notice where the shoulds and the have-to's and the ought-to's come when it comes up as you are, you know, saying yes to things. So, in terms of money, like exercise for you to ponder over the next week is number one, does it resonate, right? Does this feel true or real in your body? Notice how often are you making decisions from pressure, or you're making decisions like you're trying to say yes or no to something to relieve the pressure, same thing coming from pressure, versus following your strategy, your decision making, right? If you have, like we talked about in the solar plexus webinar, if you have a defined solar plexus, are you riding your wave, or are you just hurrying up and saying yes or no to something because the pressure feels too intense in the body? So really start to be aware of when you're making financial decisions, where is this decision coming from? Is it coming from I'm trying to relieve the pressure, right? We're moving away from something. I'm trying to relieve the pressure, I'm trying to not feel the pressure. That's very different energy because we're still focusing on, you know, with the law of focus, we're still focusing on where we are versus moving towards something, riding your wave if you are emotionally defined or following your strategy, your decision-making process, and then choosing from a calm, neutral place. So, action that you can take to start implementing is what decisions do you want to make around money over the next week? Maybe it's decisions that you either you've been avoiding, you've been putting off, you have maybe you've even been hyper-vigilant about the decisions. So, what decision can you make around money over the next week? And I always say start small. We don't need to start with like who are you hiring in your business or that's what comes to mind, right? So can you practice making them using your authority, your decision making? Go back and watch. I think it's actually the four-part series that Carmen, my friend and colleague and I created that goes into all the different types of decision making. So you can go back and you can watch that webinar series to really start to get clued or to or or connected to your decision making and you know, uh practice making them from that place versus a pressured place. And if you notice yourself feeling pressure, like that's probably what I would say is just start there. Like, do you notice the pressure that you're feeling around some certain money decisions? Can you just allow the pressure right now? Can you actually feel like or feel what it feels like in your body? Body, notice where these sensations are coming from. Notice what that feels like. First, start there, awareness, right? And then what do you actually want to do to release the pressure? Sometimes it might be, like I said earlier, you may just want to be able to just sit with it and get to feel what it feels like in your body. Sometimes I just got to move my body. I got to go work out. I got to go run. I got to go walk. I got to go do something to move the energy to then come back and then be at a centered place. So notice what feels best for you. And it may differ, right? Depending on the day, depending on the situation, depending on the amount of money we're talking about. So just really, really start to tap into, get connected to your body and what does your body need in the moment? And you can just ask that question what does my body need in this moment? And typically the first answer that your body gives you or your mind, you know, intuition gives you is the correct answer. Sometimes it's like, I need to rest. Sometimes it's like I just need to completely unplug, put everything down, and I need to just close my eyes. Sometimes it's like, I need to go walk for a bit and and and honor that. So figuring out, you know, how do you want to move your body if that's the case? And also recognizing and starting to pay attention to. Do you notice feeling pressure during certain days, times, who you're with, you know, depending on how busy maybe your schedule is, what you have on your schedule, what your, you know, maybe offers that you have or what you're trying to launch or what you it could be a litany of things, right? So really start to see. Do you notice a pattern? What's coming up for you? And what are you feeling? And then, like I said, notice it, become aware of it. And then what do you need in this moment? And that is where I would start with. And as always, if you want additional further support, I'm here for you. You can just email me or message me and I'll be happy to help. And that concludes the series. I want to appreciate you for watching, for taking the time to learn this information, to integrate this information. I think that's a really big one. You know, learning it, watching it is one thing, but actually taking the information, integrating it, and then embodying it so that you can actually transform your relationship with yourself, with your money, with your business, and who you are is where change and growth actually happens. So thank you again for watching. As always, I'm here to support you. Just reach out and I'll be happy to help.