I want to help you have a better tomorrow.
One of the common bonds between all humans is our impulse to find happiness. Too often, we’re looking in the wrong places, and doing the wrong things expecting them to give us the right results. If you don’t think your future will be better than your past, you’re right.
In order to have a better tomorrow, we need to create a compelling vision for our futures. Proverbs 29:18 teaches us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” My goal is to help you create a purpose driven life for yourself; to figure out what your better tomorrow looks like, and to give you the tools to make it happen.
Without the promise of a better tomorrow, we lose hope. If you’re not where you want to be in your life, you’re in good company. Many of us are struggling with our finances, our health, and our overall satisfaction. The good news is, you’re someone who can create the life you want for yourself.
I’ve been helping people to envision and work towards the lives they want for over 20 years as a financial advisor. Money plays a significant role in many aspects of our lives. When we’re able to harness and use it for good, we position ourselves for success. I’m honored to be named to Investopedia’s list of the top 100 financial advisors many years running.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The truth
- What’s your motivation?
- Can you let go? Will you?
- Addressing the void
- Making it real
Let’s get started.
The truth
The only way to live how you want is to know how you want to live.
This is the fundamental truth and message I want to get across to you. If you’ve not taken the time to think about what you want, you shouldn’t be surprised when you’re not happy.
Goals = What you want
I’m fond of referring to goal setting as a superpower. It’s amazing how we can think about how we want the future to look, make plans, and then work to execute them. Sadly, most of us squander this ability. In service of helping you take advantage of yours, you can access our Goals course for free.
Values = Who you are
The next step in this process is getting clear on who you are and what you believe. We commonly refer to this as our values. When you know what you want, and you combine that with knowing who you are, you’re ready to take inspired action. In service of helping you get clarity on your values, you can access our Values course for free as well.
Habits = How you do things
Your habits are how you do things. They’re the tactics you use in service of getting what you want. Examples are daily exercise, a healthy diet, consistent saving and investing, and giving your undivided attention to loved ones.
When you align your goals, habits, and habits, you position yourself for success. Keeping those things top of mind and acting intentionally is what will make your better tomorrow a reality. It’s important to take a holistic approach to your future. Don’t silo the various segments of your life. Your finances impact everything, just as your health affects everything.
What’s your motivation?
When we desire change, we can be motivated by running away from something, or running towards something. It’s been said the pain of losing is twice as strong as the pleasure of gaining. That being said, we can be inspired by a carrot and a stick.
So, where are you running? Did you get bad news from your doctor? Are you sick and tired of being broke? Or are you on the cusp of entrepreneurship and ready to change the world? Whatever your motivation for creating a better tomorrow, I want you to be crystal clear in what it is. I want you to confidently declare, “this is what I want.”
Can you let go? Will you?
It’s one thing to intellectually know something, and another to follow through on it. This behavior gap shows up in every aspect of life. You intellectually know you’re supposed to spend less money than you make. It’s obvious eating too much food will cause weight gain. And many of us keep making the same relationship mistakes and expecting different results.
But why? Why do we consistently do this?
Because we’re addicted to it. We can’t let go of the love we have for our problems. We love arguing for our limitations. What problems are you holding on to? How do you rationalize your circumstances? Do you even know you’re doing it?
If you’re doing these things unconsciously, you need to examine and recognize your blind spots. If you’re doing them willfully, you’ve gotta stop. Holding onto your problems and arguing for your limitations will prevent you from realizing the better tomorrow you desire.
Addressing the void
Now comes the tricky part.
While it’s good to get rid of negative things in your life, we need to be wise enough to recognize any voids that may be left behind. If we don’t fill these voids, we’re susceptible to slipping back into old patterns and habits. We don’t want to do that.
So, how will you replace what that thing gave you? The idea is to find something constructive that serves you. Something that is aligned with your goals and values, and that you can create a habit around. If you’re trying to quit smoking, when you get the impulse to have a cigarette, go for a walk. When you’re trying to spending so much time on social media, bring a book with you and read five pages when you get the impulse to scroll.
Whether you’re running from something, or running to something, I want to give you practical tools to incorporate into your life.
Making it real
You’ve done the work of goal setting and values creation. Now it’s time to put them to work in your life using the framework from earlier: Goals = What you want. Values = Who you are. Habits = How you do things.
Let’s apply that framework to the six key areas in your life:
- Family
- Community
- Career and Financial
- Personal development
- Wellbeing
- Peace of mind
Based on your goals and values, think about the habits/tactics that will get you the results you desire in each of the six areas. I’ll provide an example for each of them.
Family
My desire is to have stronger relationships with my loved ones. My new habit is to put my phone is a box when I’m around them.
Community
My desire is to take on a leadership role in my community. My new habit is to ask people what help they need and how I can contribute.
Career and Financial
My desire is to get out of debt and get on track with my saving and investing. My new habit is to pay myself first every month.
Personal development
My desire is to become a better thinker. My new habit is to read 10 pages a day and journal every morning.
Wellbeing
My desire is to have more energy. My new habit is to start intermittent fasting and walking every evening.
Peace of mind
My desire is to become a calmer person. My new habit is to meditate once a day.
Once you know what you want and who you are, it comes down to intention. How badly do you want the things you’re telling yourself you want? Are you willing to do the things it takes to get them?
Closing
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – Viktor Frankl
Life is a series of tradeoffs. When you say “yes” to one thing, you’re saying “no” to another, and vice versa. Making the correct decisions requires sacrifice, and making sacrifices isn’t easy. That being said, once we create habits that are aligned with our goals and values, we get better at executing them, and it gets easier to do.
Keeping your goals and values top of mind will serve you well as you embark on your journey to create a better tomorrow. And you can do it. You’re someone who can live the life you want. Get started.
If you’re ready to take control of your financial life, check out our DIY Financial Plan course.
We’ve got three free courses as well: Our Goals Course, Values Course, and our Get Out of Debt course.
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