| Becoming Financially Independent |
An Investment Management Company
Tutorial - How do you become Financially Independent?
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Begin with the end in mind. In order to have the motivation to sacrifice for your goal
of Financial Independence you need to have a clear idea of what being Financially
Independent really means to you. (Definition of Sacrifice -- to Sacrifice means to give up
something good now -- for something better later.) Your dream of being independent --
free to spend your time doing something other than punching a time clock -- must be so
real and so exciting that you will muster the dedication and discipline each day to make it
happen. See the dream, change your behavior, live the dream.
See the Dream. As you drive to work in the morning (like you've done 10,000 times
before) in that numb-zombie state, ask yourself "What would I rather be doing?". Better
yet, when you're at home on a quiet Sunday afternoon, make a list of your favorite things
to do. What brings you emotional health and personal satisfaction? What are the things
that get your creative juices flowing? Which people in your life do you want to spend
more time with?
Now imagine your life -- doing what you enjoy doing, learning what you want to learn,
creating what you want to create, and being with the people you love. Write down what
your life will be like when you have reached Financial Independence -- when you are no
longer required to go to work.
Got your dream yet? Write it down. Describe it on paper in such a way that you can
really see it, really live it in your mind. Dream with your companion and make sure each
of you gets what they need. Wendy and I have always enjoyed helping each other with
our dreams. Dreaming and scheming together often requires sacrifice for each of us, but
so long as we're both willing to sacrifice for each other it makes for a wonderful journey --
together. Review your dream often -- at least each year -- together -- and make changes
as your dreams take new form.
Need help? Think about retired friends you admire and who seem happy. Here are some
examples of friends I have who have retired:
Example 1: They replaced their second car with a golf cart, moved to Arkansas (on
the golf course), and have been exceptionally happy enjoying their friends at the
club, playing lots of golf, and volunteering in their local community.
Example 2: They live near their friends on their own grass-strip airport. It's a busy
place with lots of good people flying in and out, airplanes to work on, and of course
lots of flying to fun locations with friends, children and grandchildren. Did I mention
the bi-plane?
Example 3: They live in a beautiful mountain setting in a secure community. They
volunteer as missionaries through their church for a year at a time. They've taught
English in Asia, helped natives dig wells in Africa, and taught the Gospel in South
America. They now have very close friends from several different cultures around
the globe. They are living a very full life. They like to return home for a year or so
to regenerate their bodies and see the grand-kids -- then they're back out there
again for a new adventure. Where will the Lord send them next?
Observation. My friends who seem the happiest in retirement have one thing in
common. They spend a substantial portion of their time helping others. There's no sense
in sacrificing for a retirement in which you will not be happy. So I strongly suggest that
you begin today -- if you haven't already -- to figure out how you are going to dedicate a
substantial portion of your life in serving others -- and begin doing it now.
OK. Got your dream yet? Good. WRITE IT DOWN. Now, how are we going to get there
-- and how soon can you declare "I'm Financially Independent!"?
Are you ready for the next step? To continue - Click Here.
of Financial Independence you need to have a clear idea of what being Financially
Independent really means to you. (Definition of Sacrifice -- to Sacrifice means to give up
something good now -- for something better later.) Your dream of being independent --
free to spend your time doing something other than punching a time clock -- must be so
real and so exciting that you will muster the dedication and discipline each day to make it
happen. See the dream, change your behavior, live the dream.
See the Dream. As you drive to work in the morning (like you've done 10,000 times
before) in that numb-zombie state, ask yourself "What would I rather be doing?". Better
yet, when you're at home on a quiet Sunday afternoon, make a list of your favorite things
to do. What brings you emotional health and personal satisfaction? What are the things
that get your creative juices flowing? Which people in your life do you want to spend
more time with?
Now imagine your life -- doing what you enjoy doing, learning what you want to learn,
creating what you want to create, and being with the people you love. Write down what
your life will be like when you have reached Financial Independence -- when you are no
longer required to go to work.
Got your dream yet? Write it down. Describe it on paper in such a way that you can
really see it, really live it in your mind. Dream with your companion and make sure each
of you gets what they need. Wendy and I have always enjoyed helping each other with
our dreams. Dreaming and scheming together often requires sacrifice for each of us, but
so long as we're both willing to sacrifice for each other it makes for a wonderful journey --
together. Review your dream often -- at least each year -- together -- and make changes
as your dreams take new form.
Need help? Think about retired friends you admire and who seem happy. Here are some
examples of friends I have who have retired:
Example 1: They replaced their second car with a golf cart, moved to Arkansas (on
the golf course), and have been exceptionally happy enjoying their friends at the
club, playing lots of golf, and volunteering in their local community.
Example 2: They live near their friends on their own grass-strip airport. It's a busy
place with lots of good people flying in and out, airplanes to work on, and of course
lots of flying to fun locations with friends, children and grandchildren. Did I mention
the bi-plane?
Example 3: They live in a beautiful mountain setting in a secure community. They
volunteer as missionaries through their church for a year at a time. They've taught
English in Asia, helped natives dig wells in Africa, and taught the Gospel in South
America. They now have very close friends from several different cultures around
the globe. They are living a very full life. They like to return home for a year or so
to regenerate their bodies and see the grand-kids -- then they're back out there
again for a new adventure. Where will the Lord send them next?
Observation. My friends who seem the happiest in retirement have one thing in
common. They spend a substantial portion of their time helping others. There's no sense
in sacrificing for a retirement in which you will not be happy. So I strongly suggest that
you begin today -- if you haven't already -- to figure out how you are going to dedicate a
substantial portion of your life in serving others -- and begin doing it now.
OK. Got your dream yet? Good. WRITE IT DOWN. Now, how are we going to get there
-- and how soon can you declare "I'm Financially Independent!"?
Are you ready for the next step? To continue - Click Here.
| Investing Wisely |
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| The advice contained within this website is general in nature, only for the use of FI Investments clients, and should not be relied upon without first consulting with FI Investments. |