Have you been enjoying the Olympics? Yes, even though I am more than frustrated with NBC’s 1970s styled coverage, it has been a very entertaining week and we still have a few more days. Every four years, the games offer a great theater of competition for the best athletes the world has to offer.
How did those athletes get to London? They did not just show up and ask for the opportunity to compete. No, they made it to the game the old fashioned way: they earned it. So why did they do it? Why all the time and sacrifice to get to the games? Day after day, eating the right way, practicing their craft, giving up time with family and friends. So why do it? Because they all wanted a chance to get to that podium and receive a medal that says: “I am the best in the world!”
You see, the goal made the journey to get there worth it. Having a great reason to do something, is more important than the methodology you choose to achieve it. The same is true if you want to win with your money. I could coach you and teach you how to do a budget, how to get out of debt, how to put a savings plan in place. But if you don’t have a proper motivation you might falter when you face obstacles.
So, what would motivate you? Would one of these financial Olympic medals get you in the games? What if you could?
- Stop living paycheck to paycheck. Put an end to the cycle of having more obligations than money at the end of each month. The price? You have to live on a budget.
- Be free of the slavery of consumer debt. Because you are sick of paying interest on everything you buy. Because you want your money to work for you and not for the banks. The price? You have to stop borrowing money and you need to attack your debt with every ounce of effort you can muster. And you have to learn how to save money.
- Retire with dignity. Because you don’t want to depend on the government or anyone else to take care of you. The price? You have to start saving methodically now.
- Give with abandon. Because there are people and causes you could bless richly. The price? You have to sacrifice today and build wealth so you can help others tomorrow. Broke people can’t help anyone financially. But if you get it together, you could leave a legacy for generations to come.
If these financial medals don’t motivate you, perhaps you can come up with others. Come up with your goals, come up with your “why” you want to get your money under control. Do it today and go for the gold!
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”
I Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)
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Very true – I will not work hard at the HOW unless I have a really strong WHY. Great post!
Yes, the “why” keeps me going. Thanks Julia!