The dream killer

Comfort is the killer of dreams.

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.

Focus is the key to progress, not balance

“To make progress, you must be FOCUSED, NOT BALANCED.” ⁃ Robert Kiyosaki

You can make a little progress while loving a balanced life, but to make the biggest gains, you have to focus an inordinate amount of attention on one specific goal or task. When you focus on one thing, you’ll be amazed at the strides you can make.

There is no such thing as a perfectly balanced life. Our lives are more like waves in the ocean, going back and forth. Sometimes we have a big project with a deadline to meet, so we have to put our energy in that, while other times we have the ability to focus more on our family, our health, etc.

We can try to be perfectly balanced, but will most likely frustrate you as you aim for the impossible. Instead, spend time in great focus on one aspect of life while maintaining other aspects, then ebb and flow to the next major category.

True wealth – it may be different than you think

What is enough for you? Will more of something make you happy or can you be content with what you have? How much “extra” do you need?

Surplus can lead to lifestyle creep. It can inflate your ego…are you buying that to impress others or do you actually gain enjoyment from it? Will you use it once and forget about it?

It’s important to keep pushing for more, but it’s also important to put everything in perspective. Money, fame, or “stuff” should never be prioritized over family, friendships, integrity, or health. True wealth is having strong relationships and good health.