Personal finance expert Suze Orman says the first step to reducing financial stress has nothing to do with money; it starts with how you respond in the moment.

“Take a deep breath,” she wrote in a recent blog post, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and calming yourself before making any financial decisions.

If you feel financially stressed, you’re far from alone. Orman said that more than 7 in 10 people feel anxious about their financial future, with many also worried about not having enough emergency savings to handle unexpected expenses.

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Orman’s core message is simple but powerful: stop thinking so far ahead. “All your energy should be on what you can do this week,” she said. “Or this month. Or this paycheck cycle. Nothing longer or bigger.”

That shift in focus matters because many people get overwhelmed by big financial goals. Saving eight months of living expenses, for example, can feel impossible when you’re just trying to get through the month.

“If you focus on the eight-month goal, you’re likely to get more stressed,” she said. “That seems impossible. I agree!”

Instead, Orman encourages people to zoom in on small, manageable actions. Putting even a little money into savings, contributing to a retirement account, or paying down some credit card debt all count as progress.

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“Any week or paycheck where you manage to put some money in savings, or contribute to a retirement savings plan, or pay down some credit card debt, is a victory,” she wrote in the post. “You are literally taking a step toward the financial security you deserve.”

Orman said one of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing on the finish line instead of the next step. That mindset can leave people feeling stuck and discouraged.

“What is in your power today, this week, next week, and every month from today is that you can put yourself on the path to reaching that goal,” she wrote.

One way to make that easier is to automate your finances. Setting up automatic transfers to savings or retirement accounts can help you stay consistent without having to think about it.

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Orman also stresses the importance of checking in with yourself regularly. Taking a moment each week to recognize your progress can help you stay motivated.

“When you take a moment each week to remind yourself that you have moved one step closer to a financial goal, it provides motivation to keep at it,” she said.

Orman doesn’t claim that financial stress will disappear overnight. But she says taking consistent action can make a meaningful difference.

“Rather than being paralyzed with stress and fear, you are taking action to do what is in your power,” she wrote.

That sense of control is what ultimately helps reduce anxiety, not by solving everything at once, but by proving to yourself, week by week, that you’re moving forward.

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This article Suze Orman Says To Reduce Financial Stress, Focus Only On What You Can Control This Week And This Paycheck Cycle. 'Nothing Longer Or Bigger' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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