Inspire Your Soul to Act
Fiscal Fizzle recently wrote about how to write a great financial mission statement. He stated that the goal of a financial mission statement is to inspire your soul to act.
That phrase really caught my attention, because without inspired action we have nothing but good intentions. Getting started on (and completing) the actions necessary is often a struggle. But when you’re inspired things flow a lot easier. You’re eager to do them.
Have you thought about the kinds of things that inspire your soul to act? Regardless of your current financial situation (in debt, working on getting an emergency fund going, etc) you have to know the purpose behind what you’re doing.
It can’t just be an abstract purpose either — those are good theory, but not so easy to grab hold of in daily life.
For example, we all know we should eat breakfast every morning, but many people don’t. It’s not until you have a reason that really resonates with you that you’ll make the time to do so each day.
Generally, people are inspired by three types of situations:
- Realizing you can’t stand the alternative (for example, dying if you don’t change your diet, becoming homeless if you don’t stick to your job, getting fed up with the current situation)
- A positive life-changing event (having a baby, getting married, wanting to move out on your own)
- Internal thoughts and feelings (a longing or a dream)
What kinds of things inspire you? How do you stay inspired when the going gets tough?
This is a great post. I have been working on my credit score for the last year. I have a goal number that I want to reach and have really been working on making payments to my creditors in order to raise that score.
I never thought about having a financial mission statement, but I guess I do!
What a great post. If those of us who need to do some financial house-cleaning, just imagine to yourself the load of strsss that will be removed from your life once your finances are straight.
I didn’t realize it when I was fixing mine. If I had, I probably would have acted more swiftly.
Wow!!! What an appropriate question for me right now. I started my blog forty2fifty because I was at rock bottom with regards to my life. I have come to learn with little money and a whole lot of thoughts and information in my head, I am inspired to share my story.
I know a lot of people are struggling now and I figured the best way for me to get out of the grips of unemployment and the rut of life, was to share my journey with others. Hopefully learning things along the way.
Thought provoking post. And thanks for commenting on “Are You Making Happiness In Your Life?” I appreciate you taking the time to stop by, and I hope to see you again.
I operate under the belief that I am here to communicate the love I know. Since I do my best not to compartmentalize my life, the same belief follows the way in which I handle my finances. So, I do my best not to spend money on stuff that supports misery (slave labor conditions, environmental harm) and give/spend money in ways that…well, communicates love–fair trade products, microlending, locally-owned businesses, etc. My “mission statement” is pretty vague, but I do develop concrete goals (get out of debt, save for a house, blah blah blah). But I remember an old college professor telling me, “Stick close to love, and everything else will work out just fine.” He was right.
I think my own self perception and the perception that others have about me is what motivates me the most. I definitely don’t want to be look upon as a failure. :)
Kate, hey you had focus, that’s important :)
David, you are so right about the load of stress that’s removed when things are straightened out financially. Most people are so used to carrying the load that they don’t even realize how good things could be until it’s gone.
Jason, thanks for coming by here too :) I’ll be visiting again soon…
CF, (can you tell I have trouble spelling consciously?) that’s a great way to look at it — having one overriding belief that guides you in your whole life.
Ms. Freeman, I suspect a lot of people are motivated by their own self-perception and how they think others see them.
You can just call me Al. It’s easy to spell. :)
What inspires my soul to act? Good question as I have been searching for some inspiration lately!
My inspiration comes from my life purpose of growth and experience. I cannot stand being stagnant. If I am stuck in one place for too long, I know it is time for a change and that I have to act.
For example, right now I am looking for a job, which would allow me to finally live on my own start my own life and do what I want to do. It is sometimes frustrating, however, I know that I have to keep going for things to start happening!
Best,
Tomas
Al, so is CF ;) I’ll stick with that. Uh, except now…
Tomas, growth is a great inspiration for action.