How To Stay Focused on Your Financial Dreams
Throw in a crashing economy and global pandemic — and the fact we don’t do anything the “normal” way. Well, financial freedom is not just the about the numbers. It’s the process itself. It’s establishing good financial habits and consistent healthy personal finance patterns.
The life you want to create is unique to you and what you truly value probably isn’t something you can make or get or build in a day.
As Donald Lynn Frost once said, "financial success, as well as most success in life, is not about perfection. It’s about direction."
There are so many decisions we need to make daily about how we use our money and there’s no doubt it’s hard to avoid the distractions and keep the focus on your dreams instead.
But it’s critical that you develop that skill to stay on the long-term track to big-time success.
Again, I know it’s hard. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone and there are specific strategies you can use to help stay on track.
1. Self love comes first. Sometimes we adopt other people's desires, when we aren’t in touch with our own desires. And when we’re not in touch with ourselves, we end up undermining ourselves because what we say and do isn’t in alignment with our deepest self.
But at the heart of any attempt to turn our dreams into action is self love. Any time you set a new goal for yourself, you have to provide to yourself the same patience, compassion and faith that you would give to any loved one who is trying to fulfill a goal or dream.
2. Pay attention to your passion. Our financial goals are usually tied to something we’re passionate about. Connecting with that passion can keep our goals alive and achievable. And when your dreams seem buried beneath your never ending responsibilities, you must pour motivation into your life.
3. Write things down. Write down your goals, dreams, priorities. Put down on paper anything that will remind you why you’re doing all this hard work of saving, investing, and spending wisely. Then, make sure it lives in a place where you can see it every day.
4. Track your progress and find ways to stay motivated. Just stashing away money month after month with no end in sight sounds… well, awful. Not fun. But it doesn’t need to be this way if you track your progress.
5. Adjust, Don't Abandon. There will be times after you write your dreams and goals where you will hit some roadblocks. Even when things aren’t going well, follow through. Stick with it even if you fall off for weeks, months or years. Don’t worry about doing things perfectly. Do your best and try to get just a little better every day.
6. Build in small rewards along the way. Working hard with no end in sight = not fun, not enjoyable, and not sustainable. Make sure your financial plan includes wiggle room for small rewards to enjoy along the way so you still get to live now while inching toward the financial success you really want.
These actions will all help you stay on the right track over time… but there’s a final strategy that, I think, above all else, will help you reach the height of success:
7. Don’t try and do it alone. People who perform at the highest levels in all areas of life don’t try to do everything on their own. Elite athletes have coaches. The world’s best entrepreneurs have mentors. People who are serious about health and fitness hire trainers and nutritionists. Why should it be different with your finances? Find someone who can show you the right choices to make, keep you accountable to your goals, and remind you of what’s truly important when you inevitably get a little distracted along the way.
Bottom line, you must give up on finding fault with everything (including yourself). Focus on expansion, inclusion and collaboration. And even if you feel like you’re stuck in the middle of a current situation that frustrates you, remember that gentleness is a better tool than anger.
And more than anything, stay true to whatever process is required for you, and just know there are many of us who are rooting for your success!
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