Fortune favors the bold, so when you decide to do something, really do it.
It can be tempting to decide on something that you’d like to do, and then do….nothing…for way too long without even realizing it.
In part, that’s understandable. Things happen. We get busy. We think that we’ll have more time later just as soon as ______ is done. We figure we’ll get around to it someday.
But often the reality is that time just passes us by, without us having made much (or any) progress.
When you set a goal and really go for it with all you’ve got, you get somewhere.
Now you may or may not succeed in the conventional sense, but your chances are a whole lot better than if you just halfheartedly try. Even if you aren’t successful at the very first thing you put ALL of your effort into, you’ll learn things that will help you immensely in your next endeavor.
And I can personally attest to that. I learned a whole lot from my unsuccessful wedding photography business — things that have been invaluable to both my current success and my personal life. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t really jumped in with both feet on that business.
If one of your goals is to start a small business, understand that jumping in with both feet doesn’t have to mean quitting your day job right off the bat. (Although that works for some folks who work well under massive pressure.) But it does mean that you have to put at least as much time and energy into your startup as you do into your regular job. Things like sleeping, surfing the net, cleaning the house, and running errands may have to just go by the way side.
If one of your goals is to improve your understanding of things like investing, have a massive read-a-thon where you take intensive notes. Talk to reputable experts in the field. Get in the habit of checking google finance 20 times a day. Quiz yourself.
Just…really get into it in depth, and for a good solid time period.
And whatever your goal, get an accountability partner. Discuss what you’re doing with like-minded people at set times and regular intervals.
Really go for it.
Posted in Setting & Achieving Goals on 07.28.10 with 10 comments.
I am realizing more and more how important goals are. I think back to the start of my career when I used a Franklin Planner diligently. I listed all the tasks I needed, and I loved that feeling of checking things off. Now that I am no longer in that job, I see that I free flow much more often, and I don’t think I am as good as I could be without those goals and lists.
I know what I want to do, but maybe to jump in with both feet, I need to get my goals in order. Thanks for the motivation!
Hey I used to use a Franklin Planner too
That really was a helpful tool, and checking things off was addicting.
This works! I was at about 183 pounds for the last year, but starting a weight loss support group through BFS has totally helped. I now know that if I eat after 9pm, I have to tell the group. I also know that we share our weights once a week, and reporting no loss would suck. I’m only down to 172, but that’s a bigger change than I had seen in 2 years.
It’s funny how just knowing that you have to tell someone what you did or didn’t do is super motivating. Congrats on the weight loss
Great post. This is a lesson that I’m still learning.
Thanks! And no time like the present
Good topic Jackie! The bold and the brave. I just wrote an update and proposed how Yakezie.com will evolve in the Google Groups section. Love to hear your thoughts.
I’m thinking a slow launch, so we can get to know ourselves better over the next 1 or 2 months. And then from our Member Posts, we get to mold Yakezie.com together and understand our strengths and desires.
So, I’m jumping in with both feet, but doing so slowly!
Best,
Sam
Thanks for doing the Yakezie, it’s been a great idea
Hands down the best “subjective” personal finance blog out there.
This advice is right on point, as usual.
You even qualified it perfectly. Regarding a small business, I say jump in feet first with your heart and you mind and your soul.
Should you really invest a million dollars into a brand new business venture right off the bat when it may not be necessary?
Maybe not.
If you can, start off a little conservatively on th fiscal side,until you gain confidence.
Thanks for the compliment
And yeah, jumping in with tons of work is an important thing, but with huge monetary investments? Not so much.