“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” -John Bingham
This can apply to your finance or your fitness goals. So if you have resolved to improve something this year, don’t worry about how bad things may be right now, just get started. And have a FABULOUS day!
Two quotes that inspire my personal finance AND physical fitness goals:
“If you want what the average person doesn’t have, you must be willing to do what the average person won’t do.” – My Mentor
I will never forget when my mentor said this to me. I was working on a project that, at the time, I thought was too hard. The expectations were unrealistic and the required effort wasn’t worth the sacrifice. Yet, I had very lofty career goals that the average person also thought were impossible. Contradiction, eh? Instead of holding my hand and feeling sorry for me, she gave me an “in your face” pep talk, and in so many words, told me to “figure it out!” I thought to myself “what a bitch!” I was discouraged, I stumbled, and I almost fell. But that one quote stuck with me and I used it as a guiding light. Eventually, I completed the project – a little late but still within budget. It was my first major accomplishment, the foundation of my future, and my career trajectory began.
“What you focus on the longest will become your strongest. To be focused means having a keen sense of direction. Every thought, action and association has a purpose.” – Ken Brown
I discovered this quote when another PF blogger used part of it as the title of their blog post. I like it because it captures the essence of ME. When I’m dedicated to something, I give it my all. I mean, everything I have in me. “A keen sense of direction.” Nothing can distract me. My goal becomes my new obsession, but an obsession with structure and discipline. “Every thought, action, and association has a purpose.” A clearly defined purpose with my eye on the prize. I think about my goal daily. With every move I make, I consider the impact it may have on my goal. I seek out knowledgeable people. When I interact with others, I share my goal and try to inspire them along my journey. I read, I ask questions, I apply what I learn. The more I read and ask questions, the more knowledgeable I become. When I apply that knowledge, I measure my results. When I stumble and make mistakes, I repeat the lesson until I’ve mastered the concept. When I progress to the next level, I rinse and repeat until I am strong in that area and have reached my ultimate goal.
With physical fitness, I know it will take the same dedication and discipline to achieve what the average person thinks is too hard. It won’t be easy, I know this too, but I’m willing to dedicate 110% of my focus to build and maintain a strong, healthy body. After all, I only get one. So over the next year, I will continue to use these quotes as my guiding light and inspiration to achieve yet another lofty goal.
What inspires you?
“Do what I have to do, so I can do what I want to do.” – The Great Debaters
I know I’m late, but I finally got around to watching the Great Debaters this weekend. The quote above is one a father taught his son. Although he was referring to working hard and doing well in school before pursuing extracurricular activities, I can apply the quote to many areas of my life – especially finances.
Do what I have to do…
…so I can do what I want to do.
By making responsible financial decisions, even when I don’t wanna, I have the flexibility and freedom to make other decisions that bring me joy.
I won’t even lie. Man, it’s hard!! Especially when I have to ignore flashy distractions that provide a temporary thrill. You know, like the iPhone. That shiny, black Mercedes CLK. A fully furnished, 3 bedroom, single family home in my current zip code. A Dior handbag. Or a pair of Cavalli shoes. It’s soooo easy to say “screw this” and go on a spending spree. I can, but I won’t. At the end of the day, what does all of that “stuff” get me? Nothing, but debt and stress…and maybe a few bragging rights to impress people I don’t even like.
Instead, I do what I have to do, so I can do what I want to do. And live life on MY terms.
I’m reading a book titled “You’re Broke Because You Want to Be” and let me tell ya, this author is hee-larr-y-us!! Whew!! And y’all think I’m a riot? With every page, all I could do is shake my head and crack up laughing. LOL But I can’t give you too many details right now because I have to save them for my review. However, there was ONE thing in particular that resonated with me and I just had to write about it.
The author said…FOLLOW THE MONEY
You’re probably saying, so…and? Well he then goes on to say “money is a dead giveaway of what is important in anyone’s life.” In other words, if you want to know what’s important to someone, look at where they spend their money. Hmm…what does he mean by that? I had to think about it for a minute and let it marinate.
Are sports important to you? Then you probably spend most of your money on game tickets, paraphernalia, or electronics to make game watching better.
Is travel important to you? Most of your money is probably spent on vacations.
Is fashion important to you? Most of your money is probably spent on clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Hmm…then I realized he was on to something. At the beginning of every year, my credit card company sends me an itemized report of my spending. Very similar to my own annual review, the detailed report from the credit card company shows how much I spent on dining out, groceries, transportation, travel, etc. It’s really an eye opener. According to the 2007 reports, my priorities were debt reduction and housing. And that’s about right.
The same is true for the flip side. No one will ever tell you they value bad habits, but if they’re spending most of their money on – let’s say, smoking or drinking or drugging – their habits are obviously more important to them than anything else in life. Another example – and I’m gonna put myself on blast with this one – a person can not honestly say they value their relationship with God (Bu.ddha, Al.lah, Jeh.ovah, whatever…) when their spending patterns reflect tithes/offerings as their smallest spending category. If you don’t value your religion, then that’s ok…I guess.
The point is…Follow Your Money.
What do you think is important?
What does your money say is important?
If they are different, reevaluate your spending habits and get them aligned with each other.
Single Ma Out! – at least until tomorrow. I’m having a TERRIBLE day. :-(
“Nuptials without Fabulous Financials are just two broke people with a license to file a joint tax return.” — Yours Truly
HA HA HA
THAT one is going in the book!
*thinking* I’m so corny but I crack myself up sometimes. LOL
