“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Remember why you work. Remember why you spend your life energy working 40+ hours/week. Find your purpose, your life goal, and make sure that what you’re working for is in alignment with it. Don’t work just for money. Money is a means to an end, but it is not the end goal. It is what money can do for you (giving you the freedom to do what you want) that should be the focus.
Don’t work just for status. You got a promotion; you got a demotion…Whatever. Your life is more than your job title.
If you only work to get more than you currently have (more money, more status, more things), you’ll eventually realize that “more” is never enough. You can think, “once I get to X amount saved,” or “once I make Y amount per year” THEN I’ll be happy. But that’s not how it works. That achievement will come and go. And you’ll become so used to what you have acquired that it loses its luster, leaving you hungry for more.
Keep the big picture in mind. In a recent Afford Anything podcast with Paula Pant and Joe Saul-Sehy, Joe made a comment that really resonated with me. He said, “How can I get more life out of my money? Money is a fuel, not the end game.” And THAT is the big picture. That’s exactly how we should treat money. Use money as a tool to experience your best life – whether that means going on trips with family, relaxing by yourself, etc. That is up to you.
My main focus is to provide the best life for my family. How can I do this? By supporting them financially (earning a living in a career that gives me fulfillment), emotionally (spending as much quality time with loved ones as possible), physically (I have to be physically present to provide the most impact), and spiritually (leading by example in accordance to our faith).
What is your purpose in life? What is your why? How will you get more life out of your money? Whatever your answer, don’t waste it chasing the wrong things.