Last week, I shared an article about the transformative power of setting ambitious goals.These are not just any goals, but big, audacious ones that can reshape your future.
Here is my question: Do you need to set a goal that connects you with something bigger, something that truly excites you?
If you’re indifferent about the goal, you’re more likely to give up when the going gets tough. But if you’re pursuing a larger goal, you’ll find the resilience to push through the challenges, the monotony, and the setbacks.
When it comes to getting out of debt, the surprising mistake most people make:
Paying off your debt is not the goal. It is a byproduct of you reaching your goal.
Here is an example: I recently worked with a client who was drowning in debt. She felt defeated and like she was stuck on a never-ending treadmill, working hard but going nowhere. If you can relate, you’re not alone. Many people share that feeling of being stuck, with nothing to show for their efforts at the end of the month.
When discussing her goals, she mentioned that her long-held dream of traveling to Greece was out of reach. We discussed different strategies, ran the numbers in various ways, and developed a big, juicy, ambitious plan.It involved developing a debt strategy that was actually going to work for her, lots of mini sprints (more on this next week), hard work, and sacrifice. When it was all said and done, guess what? She had the funds set aside to pay for a trip to Greece.
But here is what is interesting:Before we worked together, she would start to pay down her debt, get discouraged because she wasn’t seeing progress fast enough, have some setbacks, and eventually revert to how she was doing things.
With her new ambitious plan in place, suddenly, sacrificing small luxuries like weekday lunches and brunch with friends was no longer restrictive. They became stepping stones towards her Greek adventure. She eagerly took on extra work, sold unused items, and threw every spare dollar at her debt. There was a fire within her, a determination to make that dream a reality. Greece was so close she could smell the lemons! 🍋
She started making conscious choices about her spending, prioritizing what truly mattered. She set boundaries and became more selective about spending her time and money. And yes, she still had fun – we built that into her spending plan!
For the first time in a long time, she felt good about her ability to manage her money. She felt confident and in control. The debt payoff became a byproduct of her pursuit of something significant. The reward? A life-changing trip to Greece.
If you’re in a similar situation, please know you are so much more capable than you think. It’s time to let go of those limiting beliefs and start dreaming bigger. You’ve got this. Opa! 💙
Do you have a goal (big or small) you’re working towards? I’d love to hear it!
