My best friend and I talked about starting a business together for a few years back in the 1990s without much courage to do anything about it. We’d talk about the concepts and the business plan and many of the other nuts and bolts of starting our business, but we lacked intention and ignition. We were motivated by the idea but didn’t act, and for more than a couple of years we fought the urge to start something we were excited about and instead stayed with what we thought was safe and comfortable.
The problem was, we weren’t happy in that safe zone. And as many people have found out over the last few years, “safe” isn’t always safe given corporate buyouts (and bailouts), acquisitions, down-sizes, etc. There are two futures ahead of you; one you can wait for, and one that you can go get. I’m not convinced that waiting has any real element of safety to it.
Ideas like making a career change, or moving to a different city, or choosing to become a one-income family, or retiring aren’t easy to execute. There are many working pieces to your financial machine and they all have to be clicking at the same speed if there’s to be any chance of success. This is why we stress the importance of goal-based planning. Putting those goals out there, making a statement as to what you want and how you intend to live is essential for getting your financial life ready to support how you want to live.
If you have a dream of occupation, or of charity, or of just living a happier life think of Abraham Lincoln’s quote, “The best way to predict your future is to create it”. You start by declaring your intentions. We then can help you take action.
