By: David Christianson
Posted: 01/4/2020 3:00 AM
This is the time of year when I often write to you about the huge benefits available to you by setting specific, measurable goals for your money and your life.
Today is a little different. I want to help focus you more on your “why” rather than your “what” and your “how”.
Why are you doing the things you are doing, and why are you doing them the way you are doing them?
Much more importantly, if you did things exactly the way you want to do them and changed things to be the way you want them to be, what would be the “why” behind that?
In other words, if you shaped your life the way you want it, what would that give you? How would you feel? How would those different choices positively impact your life? What would be your “why” for doing things the way you envision your life to be?
Can you create a compelling vision of your future that is so motivating it will allow you to overcome all of the big and little obstacles and distractions that will try to deflect you from your path?
These questions apply equally whether you are young or old, working or retired, broke or financially independent. Everyone’s vision will be very different, naturally, and your personal vision will almost certainly evolve and change over time.
Take a minute now and close your eyes. Think of yourself a year from now, feeling and acting exactly how you want. What does that look like? How does it feel?
Is that vision strong enough to motivate you, to keep you going when something gets in your way?
What is one word that describes how you want your year to be shaped? Maybe that one word can be more powerful than a long list of resolutions…
I believe it is all about that compelling vision of how you want your life to be, but making it a habit to decide what you want THIS DAY to be. Bite sized pieces…
I have a tiny little story, relevant to this topic, and especially relevant because it happened today while I was trying to compose this column.
My “why” was that I always feel a sense of relief and accomplishment when I have pushed aside all of the myriad distractions and obstacles to finding the focus time required. Today was a great example.
I can really only compose when I am lying in bed half awake. That’s what happened today, but writing requires actually getting up out of a warm bed and starting to type. Remind yourself of how good you will feel if you do it.
OK, out of bed (a little tougher because I am on vacation), hook up the computer and try to make this remote Wi-Fi work. Not so good. Open the program needed. No go… “connection lost”. Restart programs.
Ah, connection regained! Now there is just that fear of losing my work between saves. Keep things quiet, so as not to wake the house guests still asleep.
With a connection, I will just take a second to check my emails… NO!! Do not get distracted! Focus on the goal!
Success. I create a new file from my master template. I begin typing. This is going to happen!
Then the dog wakes up. He needs out. Now.
Etc., etc… An hour later, I have walked the dog, made coffee, talked my way out of my wife being angry at me because of my unexplained short temper, and only lost my edits once. I have ignored incoming emails, requests from my work team (I am working remotely on vacation, naturally), fed the dog, quieted him repeatedly when barking at outdoor bumps in the night and other imagined invasions, watched the first-ever test run of the hide-a-bed where we are staying (because folks from back home have unexpectedly invited themselves to visit for New Year’s Eve), and engaged in several polite conversations, as one can’t be impolite, can one?
But the key for me was remembering how good I will feel when finished. The emails can wait, the weather, headlines and general web surfing can wait, breakfast can wait, skiing can wait.
Focus on that one word, and you will have a happier day, a more successful year, and a happier life.
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Dollars and Sense is meant as an introduction to this topic and should not in any way be construed as a replacement for personalized professional advice.
Please consult legal, tax, insurance and investment experts for advice on your unique situation.
David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEP, CIM is recipient of the FP Canada™ Fellow (FCFP) Distinction, and repeatedly named a Top 50 Financial Advisor in Canada. He is a Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President with Christianson Wealth Advisors at National Bank Financial Wealth Management, and author of the book Managing the Bull, A No-Nonsense Guide to Personal Finance.
