It is important to create momentum. So let's get started! There is no time to waste.
I work my goals in all 5 life categories:
Career
Finance
Health
Relationships
Personal Development
Our finances are so important. It determines if the other aspects of life are affordable or not. And with that being said, it is very important to make your money work for you.
Let’s talk about the importance of financial goals...
I've also been helping people with their goals for years. I see so many people living paycheck to paycheck it's scary. There are so many people are carrying so much debt and barely making ends meet. I talk to people who are out getting loans when they can barely afford to pay the bills they already have. Or they decide to go out and buy new cars when they can scarcely afford the payment. I see them making a decision to get another bill consolidation loan for their credit cards; only to go back out and charge up more debt and wind up back in the same position, only worse.
Well, I just turned 60 this year and naturally I’m thinking about retirement, and you should be too. Because no matter what your current age is, retirement is on your path. Even if you are only in your 20’s 30’s or 40’s it is coming and it matters.
And so does getting out of debt because living a debt free life is heavenly. Making your way out of debt, I believe, is the most peaceful way to live. This can help you face retirement without fear. Learning to live within your means, which is not charging anything, is so important for your finances. Not paying interest feels fantastic. We are like monkeys; monkey see monkey do… We see too many ads that push us into mimetic desire. We want to keep up with the Jones’s. We go out buying things that we don't need, with money we don’t have, in order to impress people we may not even like. Yes, this happens to all of us. We are crazy!
But taking charge of that. Planning on purpose, setting financial goals, will change your life. It can make your marriage happier and less stressful, and it can change the lives of your children and grandchildren. Lead by example. You have this one life to leave a legacy. We can leave things better than we found them. Chances are you aren’t going to win the lottery or inherit a million dollars from your great aunt. In order to change your finances, you are going to have to be responsible for it. Nobody can do this for you.
Become purposeful with your finances. It is time to take finance and money off your wish list and turn it into reality. And you can start today. Make a list of what you want. For me, what does my retirement look like? When it comes to finance just like anything thing else – dream big! What do you want? And I mean really want. I’m not talking about the wishful dreams that are here today and gone tomorrow. Dig deep to answer this question. I am asking you to conjure up the desires of your heart, because those are the dreams you can really connect to. Remember when it comes to wishing and dreaming it is serious business. Flush out the wants, every one of them.
The next step is to find the ‘why’ behind each of the wants. It can’t be connected to another person. It has to be more than just a wish. It must be for you, and it must be connected to your purpose. If the goal isn’t connected to your purpose, it doesn’t make the cut. It will need to be real, like a deep heartfelt desire.
Now you can create the intention connected to the reason behind it.
Then you take that intention to turn it into a goal. Now you create a plan, a dream without a plan is still really just a wish. Goals without a plan is nothing more than just a want. I think we can we all agree that a real dream deserves a real plan.
When it comes to finance, we make choices and decisions all the time. We are going to have to change our behaviors. How bad do we want it?
So we're taught as kids to go to school and do well. Go to college and get a good job. Then you can be promoted and make more money. It used to be if you were loyal, stayed 20 or 30 years, that retirement would be taken care of for you. That’s not true anymore. We have to be more disciplined these days. We have to save for ourselves. The truth is, most of us were never taught how to do it. Just going to work is not going to lead us to a happy and healthy retirement. Heck we can’t even count on Social Security system we pay into. We will have to be diligent saving for ourselves. We must be serious when we are setting goals. We have to do this correctly if we are going to stay inspired over time, because things don’t always go exactly as planned. They never do! But if we have set our intention and know our why, then we will have volition to keep the dream alive by working the plan.
We have to have a clear focus and a vision of the life we truly desire. We will have to live in neutrality and be flexible. Because unless money starts growing on trees, even when we have a solid plan, we will have to adapt to the changes that will surely come.
I love check lists and habits; they help me stay the course. You will have to find what works for you. I will tell you, if you aren’t working it, you are probably still just wishing for it.
Think seriously about what you want. What is it that will give your life purpose? What is it that will allow you to wake up each day with a broad smile on your face? Got it? Do you feel it in your heart? I love to feel my heart’s desire until I overflow. I can smile and feel warmth just thinking about it. Oh how I love that! I love the feel of the connection through and through.
I love the fact that right now I don’t have to run the rat race every day. Yes, I could make more money if I did. Instead, I choose to live within my means and do what I want. I choose to help people. I know that is what God has planned for me. All I have gone through has led to this. Oh my gosh, a dream come true.
But remember I have worked years for this day. It took decades of saving and not spending everything I made. I dreamed of a life like this. And I know - you have a dream too, right? So what is your dream? What makes you smile just connecting to the idea of having that dream come true? 😊 Now, you must ask yourself what you are willing to give up for that dream come true?
What are you willing to do for it? The truth is, if you don’t already have it, there’s got to be an exchange-There’s going to be a sacrifice. If nothing changes, nothing changes.
I remember years ago my friend and I used to walk early every morning at 5am. I had to get back to get the kids up for school and get ready for work. Well over time we walked for about an hour first and then created a habit of stopping and getting a coffee at a coffee shop. I loved that time together where we could walk and talk. But then one day I realized I was spending over $100 on coffee per month. I was a single parent. Knowing all the things I could do with $100 made me realize I didn't want the coffee that bad, so I gave it up. I started making a pot of coffee at my house and she would come over after our walk and sit on my porch and drink coffee with me while the kids got ready for school. I missed that hazelnut coffee I used to get; it was so delicious. It much better than the coffee that I made at home but that was the exchange. I still remember back then my kids were young I always said I didn’t have any money to budget and save. I think that coffee trade may have been the kickstart I needed. I actually started saving that 100 dollars intentionally. I put in a separate bank account and didn’t touch it. I can tell you that, that and 100 other little decisions like it, has made it possible for me to not have to go to work every day these days. Because of the little exchanges, I can spend my focus on the things that I want to do in my life.
No, I'm not retired, I just don't go to work every day, someplace else- for someone else. I choose my work. I choose what I want to do. It is absolutely amazing I love it! I am setting up my life the way I want it. Yes, I could work, I could make money right now. But I want to plan retreats for you guys. I have so much to share with you. I have experienced so much in this life. I know I can help people.
I have big hopes and dreams and goals. And I want that for you too because it's a wonderful life. Many people just go to work every day, day after day unhappy stuck in the daily grind. It’s like living groundhogs’ day over and over again. And, like I said before barely making ends meet!
It is time to live on purpose.
Set purposeful goals that align with your true self.
Make a plan that will get you to the desired results.
Start small and let those good choices become habits.
Are you ready to start setting goals with intention?