The busier I am, the more I have failed. If I’m to busy or overworked, that means I don’t have systems or processes in place to ease the workload. Or I haven’t hired enough people (or the right people). Or, if I have the people on my team, I haven’t delegated enough.
Instead of doing everything yourself, ask who, not how. Figure out who can do this for me. If you want to become the best, you need to scale, or else you’ll reach your limitations so quickly that you’ll never become the best. Figure out who the best person is to hire for the job. Figure out how can I outsource this, not how can I do this.
When there is no consequence for poor work ethic, and no reward for good work ethic, there is no motivation.
If your home, your work, or your government does not have consequences (natural or imposed) for bad behavior, what is that teaching the individual with the bad behavior? Likewise, if there are no rewards to encourage the good behaviors, will people continue to do those good behaviors?
If you want more of something, give them encouragement. If you want people to stop doing something, you have to discourage it. This is a pretty simple idea that everyone understands.
So why is it different with the government? Whether they bail out banks for profiting off the sub-prime mortgage loans before it imploded, the car industry, or individual people (adding an extra $300 for unemployment)…it’s all the same. If there are no negative repercussions to mishandling your money, why should you stop? Be risky with your money to make a huge profit when things are going well and you get rewarded with huge paydays. Don’t worry about when things go sideways because the government will bail you out.
Most people don’t think of themselves as a business, but they should. You need to operate your finances in a way where you can survive (on your own) in good times and in bad.
It’s simple, but not easy for most people. They know they should set a budget, they should stick to them budget, they should try to work hard to increase their income (through pay raises or side hustles), they should decrease their frivolous spending habits, they should be in the black every month, they should invest towards their retirement, they should…they should…they should…
But how many people do what they should?
…
Not that many.
Be different than most people. If it means that you’re weird for having your finances together, then be weird. Who cares what other people think – about the house you live in, the car you drive, or the clothes you wear. Usually, they’re too busy thinking about their own situation to really notice yours anyways.
Most of the things we greatly desire, yet still do not have, are difficult to obtain. With that, you get to make the choice. Do you want to consistently face the difficult? Or would you rather be comfortable and not get what you desire most?
Do you want to look like a fitness model and have big legs, defined arms, and six pack abs? You’ll have to hit the gym with purpose everyday and clean up your diet. You’ll need to stop going out for drinks and eating dessert.
Do you want financial freedom? Then you’ll have to spend your money on assets and live below your means. You’ll need to increase your income and decrease your expenses.
Do you want to become more knowledgeable? You’ll have to reduce your hours in front of the tv and start reading more, networking with people who are already doing what you want to do, and start taking action. Things won’t go according to how you read about them in books and you’ll have to be ok with problem solving and failing from time to time.
If you want “the best,” you usually have to pay for it in some way (sacrificing focused time, energy, money, etc). If you want to live out your dreams, you’ll have to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Because only seeking comfort is a recipe for dream killing.
“Reality is neutral. Our reactions reflect back and create our world. Judge, and feel separate and lonely. Anger, and lose peace of mind. Cling, and live in anxiety. Fantasize, and miss the present. Desire, and suffer until you have it. Heaven and hell are right here, right now.” – Naval Ravikandt
Change your perception, change what you focus on, and that becomes your reality. Be happy with what you have, but hungry for improvement. Not having many “needs” is an easy way to be content with what you have. Being inspired, dreaming, and wanting to reach your full potential is an easy way to continue to want progress.
“The best decisions are the ones that eliminate many future decisions.”
Making choices can be draining. What you you want to eat, to wear, to do? When do you want to work out, to mow the lawn, to go to the park?
Where do you want to…
How do you want to…
The list is seemingly never-ending!
Instead of experiencing decision fatigue, make certain decisions once and let that be the end of it. Then you don’t have to waste time and energy deciding something everyday. I like doing this by having “rules” that I follow. It’s easier to say, I’m the kind of person who does ____ or who doesn’t do ____.”
Here are some examples:
• I work out everyday. Even when I don’t feel like it, I at least have to get on the bike for 30 minutes.
• I read and write something everyday.
• I brush my teeth every morning after breakfast and every night before bed. After I brush my teeth at night, I do not eat anything or drink anything other than water.
• I wear a seatbelt every time I’m in the car.
• I do not eat fast food.
• I do not “pay” for something on a credit card if I can’t afford it in cash (with the exception of a house).
• I do not participate in gossip. (This is the most challenging one.)
• When choosing what movie to watch on a streaming service, I only get five minutes to pick, (otherwise I’ll be scrolling forever).
These are just a few examples of rules I live by. Once you’ve established your own set of rules, you’ve made that decision once and you never have to make it again. Let it become ingrained in you. Follow the rules that you set and don’t break them. It will make everyday a little more effortless as you don’t have to make a decision on whether or not you should do something that you frequently encounter.
