You just have to start
Here’s the thing. Sometimes, writing can be really hard!
I’ve
been sitting in front of my computer for well over an hour, trying to figure
out what the heck I’m going to write about.
I
have a topic generator on my phone so I pull that out. Find a topic, which also
includes a small introduction to get me going, and start writing. After a
paragraph or two, I decide that I don’t like it, delete everything, and start
over.
I’ve
done this four times already so what I‘ve decided to do is to just start
writing and hope for some inspiration to magically start flowing from my
fingers
I
decided over a week ago that I was going to write every night. It was a way for
me to develop and grow as a writer. My chosen method was to write a
fiction-based story and wrap it up with a few lessons that could be taken away
from it.
I
still like the idea, but guess what. Since deciding I was going to write every
night, I haven’t. It’s been at least a week since I sat in front of my computer
in the evening in order to get a post out.
There
are a few points in the preceding paragraphs that I would like to link to
finances, as I often do.
1. I was
having a really hard time getting started tonight. I couldn’t figure out what
to write about and when I did, I couldn’t stick with it. So I just started
writing. In your financial lives, it can be very hard deciding what will be the
best plan. It can be even harder figuring out how to implement that plan. My
only suggestion, just start. More than likely, you have an end goal in mind,
you just don’t know how to get there. For me, I knew I wanted to get a post
written tonight, but I didn’t know what about. Don’t delay. Decide what could
move you in the direction of your goal and take the first step.
2. I
decided that I was going to write every night, but I haven’t done that. Not
even close. Sometimes the goals we set and the plans we make are unrealistic.
Sure it would have been great to write a little every night and continue to
progress as a writer, but how likely was it, really? I have a full-time job, a
family, and other responsibilities. Goals are important and setting a plan for
those goals is vital if you want to achieve them. But it’s also important to be
realistic about your expectations. My advice set a small goal and make a small
change to your life in order to achieve that goal. Once completed, set a
slightly bigger goal, and continue setting incrementally bigger goals and let
that momentum propel you forward.
3. This
one is just an added bonus that has nothing to do with the points above but has
everything to do with the market over the past month and your long-term goals.
What is the end goal? Financial freedom? A comfortable retirement? Whatever the
case may be, you to have your long-term goal in focus, and you need to make
progress regularly to achieve that goal. The stock market over the last month
has been extremely volatile (at least relative to the past two years). The most
important thing you can do for your future is to tune out the noise and ignore
the daily movements of the market. Contributing to your retirement account
regularly and staying consistent in your investment strategy is a powerful
combination to reaching, successfully, your goals.
4. How do
I stay consistent in my investment strategy? There are two questions you need
to answer that set up a strategy. What’s my end goal and what am I comfortable
with? Once you figure out that your end goal is over a million dollars saved
for retirement and a risk tolerance that warrants a 60/40 stock/bond portfolio
for the foreseeable future, you have your strategy. Implementing it is easy.
You can set up the portfolio using a couple of ETFs and let it go. I recommend
revisiting once per year to rebalance. Rebalancing is bringing your asset
allocation back to 60/40 because it often changes due to market performance.
After
all that, here is what I want you to take away.
·
Just start.
Whatever the
scenario, whatever your goal is, take the first step and initiate the process.
Small steps and small improvements over months, years, and decades will yield
HUGE gains over time.
·
Goals and plans are important.
What’s
more important is setting yourself up for success. Start with manageable goals
and slowly increase the difficulty. Your first achievement will motivate you to
keep going and momentum will carry you forward.
·
Ignore the noise.
Whether
it’s your financial goals, career goals, or relationship goals, there will
always be distractions. Keep your focus, stick to your plan, and win in
the face of those that tried to stop you.
·
Set a strategy and be consistent.
Setting
a strategy starts with picking a goal and figuring out your risk comfort level.
After that, you develop a plan and make small adjustments to that plan as
needed. Revisit the strategy every few years to make sure it’s still
appropriate.
Life
can be difficult at times. You may feel out of place, you might feel like you
aren’t making enough progress, or you may feel you aren’t on the right path.
My
advice. Figure yourself out, pick a goal, and make little improvements every
day. The end result is a goal that’s been conquered many times over.
https://medium.com/live-your-life-on-purpose/you-just-have-to-start-410d845fb570
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