Don't
be one of the 95% of the population, who depend on the government, charity
or family to maintain a bare minimum standard of living on retirement.
Now,
how to do it...
Firstly,
Find a quiet place (like the woods or a deserted beach) and let that still
inner voice talk to you. What do you really want most out of life: Is
it happiness, health, money, financial security or doing good deeds, being
a good parent, wife, husband, etc.? Set goals for ALL areas of your life:
family, work, leisure, sport, spiritual and so on. Where do you plan to
be in 1,2,3,5 gears time. Then WRITE them down. Let your imagination "run
riot". Think even "the impossible" it may be far closer than you think.
"Dream the impossible dream". "Whatever the mind can conceive, can be
achieved." - Goethe
Whatever
is ardently desired, enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to
pass."
Without
financial independence, you are a slave to money. Achieving financial
independence will take time, dedication and lots of hard work... but will
be worth it in the end. Remember, money isn't everything. It has been
said that 'money is the root of all evil", but only an obsession and love
of money for it's own sake, I believe, is bad. Substantial amounts of
money can be used for charitable purposes, if that is your wish ... but
"charity begins at home".
Nearly
everyone has the ability to be successful, but very few have the desire
as well as the commitment to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve
wealth. Accept that you can achieve financial success and make a commitment
to yourself to attain it. It is within your grasp if you really want it.
Really BELIEVE it - that is the most important step. Only then will the
incredible power of the human mind work out a means of achieving it.
Reject
the idea that work is simply something you have to do until the age of
retirement. Ask yourself this: Where do you want to be in 2,5,10 years
time? Set goals that excite you. If you could do absolutely anything with
your life, what would you do. If you had unlimited money or found out
you only had a month to live, what would you do? Write them down. Establish
your current financial position. What is the cash inflow and outflow.
Horrors! Which areas can be improved upon? Everything! Develop your NEW
plans. Decide what action you are going to take that will move you closer
to the achievement of your goals? All goals should be specific and have
a time constraint.
Closely
monitor the performance of your investments and your rate of savings.
Try to put extra savings into investment (it could be your own business)
Review and reward yourself annually if your targets are met. Pursue your
personal goals and business ideas with all you've got. With real PASSION
and PURPOSE. If you really BELIEVE In them, they are far more likely to
be achieved.
Still
try to live a BALANCED life... or as balanced as you can make it. Money
doesn't buy happiness; yet I'd rather be unhappy in comfort! The highest
cost of all is the cost of waiting to TAKE ACTION to change your current
circumstances in life (as 94% of the population apparently are dissatisfied
with their situations. It is up to you to do things differently. So take
ACTION now- to change course. You get only one shot at life, so make the
most of it.
To
recap... in a line...
THE
THREE LEGS TO GROWING RICH
Like
the three legs of a stool. All are equally important in ensuring financial
independence. The key: MAKING MONEY + SAVING IT + INVESTING WISELY = FINANCIAL
SUCCESS
Have
a PLAN, then put it into ACTION. "People don't plan to fail, but fail
to plan." Always remember, * True prosperity is created from within. All
prosperity is created in the mind. You are only as wealthy, happy or as
prosperous as WHAT YOU FEEL... and what you make up your mind to be. And
money is not everything. For me, health, family and happiness are far
far more important considerations. Aim high, dream high. If you aim for
the tree tops, you might not get off the ground... so why not aim for
the stars.
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