You can have the best salary, but the poorest habits. Many believe that in order to become wealthy and live your desired life, you have to accumulate an enormous amount of money. You have been taught that a specific degree, position and/or salary with a company will propel you to live a prosperous life. For many, that is a false reality. Accumulating a mass amount of money does not guarantee wealth, however, it is accumulated by our habits. You can have the best salary, but the poorest habits.
Living paycheck to paycheck does not have a price tag attached to it. The process of accumulating wealth is similar to your performance at a job. You know, you show up to work on time, but fail to produce any results. The opportunity is recognized, but one might not take full advantage of the opportunity offered.
When I was younger, I saw money as means to purchase products from my favorite brands, and as I matured, I began to see it as a tool to build wealth, give back, invest in my own goals. I was always fascinated with saving money, but my mindset further shifted as I started to re-imagine my freedom.
Here are 4 ways you can re-imagine and take charge of your freedom:
1. Affirm the lifestyle you want:
The worst thing you could do is live a life full regrets. It does not matter how much money you are making. If you are reading this post, the ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda story does not have to be YOUR story, and living the life you desire to live does not have to go untold. Yes, I know, you recently graduated from college within the last 5 years. You’ve been working extremely hard that work that helped you receive your recent raise. But, for a while now, you’ve been yearning to start your own business, travel more with friends or even solo, and spend more time with your loved ones.
Sometimes you can be super busy with your day to day work that you forget about those desires that you’ve once had. You may not totally forget them, but you may fail to put any effort into working towards them. Your daily routine may include: 1. Work. 2. Workout. 3. Watch TV. 4. Go to sleep. 5. Repeat. You become so exhausted by the same daily routine, it feels like you have no time to work on your own goals. But, that stops today. It’s time to commit or recommit.
2. Reflect on the habits that have not contributed to your success:
Reflection can be challenging for some of you, especially if you have the ‘it is what it is’ mindset and you can’t see anything changing in the near future. However, it is important to ponder on those habits that consistently reinforce the lifestyle you hate. Once you’re set in your belief that nothing will ever change, you begin to continue the cycle that contradicts the possibility of your new reality.
You ever say, ‘I need to start saving for my future,’ but continue to go to the mall every weekend because you claim you need those shoes although you have 40 pair already in your closet. Or, ‘I want to travel more,’ but continue to accept Saturday brunches with your friends because you’ll feel bad if you say no. Or is it, ‘I want to start my business,’ but continue to allow Netflix and chill consume most of our evenings instead of writing your SMART goals as it relates to your future business. It’s time to reflect on those persons and things that influence your space, and cause you to lose focus on the life you desire to live.
3. Learn the words ‘No’ and ‘No’ and ‘No’
Okay, you are aware of those people and places that have been hindering you from achieving your goals. What’s next? You’ve guessed it. Changes! One of the best ways to start new habits is to simply say ‘NO.’
“No, I cannot shop at the mall this weekend.”
“No, I cannot attend this Saturday’s brunch.”
“No, I cannot Netflix and chill”
You’ve been conditioned to feel bad for saying that two letter word because you are more concerned about pleasing everyone else except you. When was the last time peer pressure paid your bills? It’s extremely important to stand up for you and your goals. I am not saying you should never have fun, but only you know your limits.
4. Establish systems.
Exercising your right to say “No,” is a start, but you must go beyond that complete sentence in order to be successful during your journey towards freedom. Adding a new word into your vocabulary does not equal sustainability. You have to put anchors in place that will put you in the best position to be successful.
Systems include creating your budget on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, automating your savings, and reanalyzing your monthly goals. Having a system in place does not equal creating something for a moment but rather the long term. And just because it’s for the long term, doesn’t mean it cannot be adjusted to meet your needs.
What systems are you establishing for yourself?
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