More than 50% of Americans worry about their money. Really worry. And they buy “How to Get Out of Debt Books” like crazy.
And, yet, they’re still in debt. They’re still worrying.
Why?
Because they are asking the wrong question. They think that they will find the “how.” They will find a secret formula that will finally work.
The real question to ask is “why?”
If you watch any of the bajillion crime solving shows on TV or in the movies, you hear this over and over. “We know she’s dead. We’re pretty damn sure it was Col. Mustard…with a candlestick…in the library. But, we just don’t know why!”
It reminds me of that dramatic movie with Denzel Washington, John Q. Here is a caring father, never had any violence in his past, down on his luck and then his boy has to have a heart transplant. The establishment will not help him. There is no money. He gets a gun–a big gun–holds the hospital hostage until they operate and save his little boy. He has a powerful why to get that gun and to turn violent.
It’s the why that’s important.
Answer these questions and you’ll discover what your “why’s” are.
•If something was added to your life that would leave you utterly ecstatic, what would it be?
•If something was removed from your life that would leave you feeling free and relaxed, what would it be?
•When you are old and gray, in the last sweet earthly hours, what would you want to look back upon and cherish?
These things, along with others you will want to add, are your “why’s.” The why’s for what? The why to reorganize your life, perhaps dramatically. The why to get rid of the crushing weight of your debt. The why to start funneling RIGHT NOW your financial, emotional, and spiritual resources into it. WITH SPEED.
Take time to explore these priorities. Let your mind wander around them as you wait for an appointment, sit in traffic. What are these priorities all about? Do they scare you? Dreams often do because they require us to step out of our comfort zones.
An amazing thing happens with comfort zones, however. When you step out of one you will very quickly discover you’re in a new comfort zone. Remember going from grade school to junior high? Wow! Talk about stepping out of a comfort zone. Remember gym and dressing out… ? But soon we create a new zone, and, in some ways, hopefully, we flourish.
Put down on paper these important “why’s.”. Doodle with them. This is the essence of life, and, in my opinion, money. When you’re old do you want to look back at how much you spent at McDonalds or the grocery store? What about that cruise you’ve always wanted? What about quitting your job and writing that novel…running for office…climbing Mr. Everest…starting your own business…getting your degree…meditating on a mountain top?
Matching your money with what you dream of, what you love, is the answer to mastery over your money. Your money, although it may not feel that way right now, will build your yellow brick road.
NOW HERE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FUNNIES:
•Good thoughts to ponder
When things in your life seem almost too much to
handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar…and the beer.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him. When the class began,
wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf
balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They
agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a
box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook
the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open
areas between the golf balls. He then asked the
students again if the jar was full. They agreed it
was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and
poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up
everything else. He asked once more if the jar was
full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced two cans of beer from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
“I want you to recognize that this jar represents your
life. The golf balls are the important things–your
family, your children, your health, your friends, your
favorite passions–things that if everything else was
lost and only they remained, your life would still be
full. The pebbles are the other things that matter
like your job, your house, your car. The sand is
everything else–the small stuff. If you put the sand
into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room
for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for
life. If you spend all your time and energy on the
small stuff, you will never have room for the things
that are important to you. Pay attention to the things
that are critical to your happiness. Play with your
children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your
spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will
always be time to clean the house, and fix the
disposal. “Take care of the golf balls first, the
things that really matter. Set your priorities. The
rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the beer represented.
The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just
goes to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers
Your comments are welcome.
FACE YOUR DREAMS, EMBRACE YOUR LOVES
