Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer.
Marcia Wieder – CEO, Founder of Dream University
Now is the perfect time to commit to your retirement goals. But with volatile markets still recovering from the 2008 financial collapse, your first thought may well be, “How can you say that?”
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Still, it is in these critical points in life that we tend to find out the most about what matters to us, and why. If financial independence is your ambition, then remove any obstructions to that destination. Stoke up your internal fire and resolve to bring it about.
Sitting back and letting yourself be buffeted by circumstances over which you have no control is like admitting that you have little influence in bringing about your own future. When you place the responsibility for your life in someone else’s care (or lack of it), you are excusing yourself from taking vital action.
Build an action plan
Become part of the equation by being an active player in producing the result you want. Passion for the future you desire can take you to a different thought process altogether, one that will lead to essential action steps.
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Stop yourself from just wishing. Wishing is akin to running your motor with the brakes on; you will simply exhaust yourself and have nothing to show for it in the end. Wallowing around in a low-grade malaise will never bring the conclusion you want.
Benefit from market downturns
If financial independence is your long-range goal, then take advantage of any market declines by continuing to invest into it. It is possible to buy more shares in these downturns, and mathematically, you will be better off in the long run. Know your personality and risk tolerance, and ignore the daily noise of the markets to stay the course.
Make your dream yours
Give your dreams substance. Do not get stuck in a holding pattern or delay striving for your ideal future until “things get better.” Know what motivates you toward your dreams, and write them down. Post them up and keep them in mind every time there is the urge to give up, or your interest flags.
Create a personal relationship with your particular bright future, and then no one can take it from you. If you know why your dreams are important to you, it will put power behind figuring out how to achieve them. Do not let anyone drive a wedge between you and your dream. This is your life, not theirs.
Chart your goals
Know where you are going. Have specific financial objectives. Give yourself mini-goals for positive feedback along the way, and allow yourself modest rewards. But make sure the reward is proportional – no fair taking a two-week cruise in the Mediterranean just because you saved your first $500! Motivation is far more productive than discipline, and lots more fun.
Involve your spouse in a friendly competition
We are all competitive in nature, at least a little. Take advantage of this part of being human by using it to fuel your goals. Set up a friendly competition with your spouse. See who can save more dollars, each week or month, or see who can save a certain percentage of their income.
Find inspiration on a daily basis and monitor negativity
We all talk to ourselves, but many of us are not aware of what we are saying. Start listening. If you find yourself thinking negatively, stop and replace these thoughts with positive, inspirational ones. Negative thoughts will conquer you if you don’t conquer them, and your goals will not be achieved that way. When we were working, we constantly listened to positive thinking tapes while driving to and from the office. This stoked our internal fires and helped us believe we could reach our dream. Positive thinking CD’s and books are available from your local library.
Passion is what will help you realize your success, not sitting back on your heels. Taking forward-moving steps is the bridge to your outcome.
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