It's time to dream again!
As children, we were sure that we could do and be anything we wanted. We used to believe we could conquer the world, that nothing could stop us! It seems that somewhere between dancing in ballet slippers and wearing firemen hats we “woke up.”
Our lofty visions of fun careers, lots of money, and no worries got interrupted with reality. We had to begin paying the bills, taking care of kids, and pleasing the boss. When the day-to-day life took over, we stopped dreaming about our future. We began to doubt our ability to succeed financially, and simply stopped trying. Treading water is not where any of us wants to be so it is time to awaken your dreams again.
“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.” Denis Waitley
Your future is as bright as you make it. Think about what the perfect picture of your finances looks like and make it happen.
Ask yourself the question,
What needs to change within me so that my dreams can become a reality?
My own reflections let me see that every good coach has a coach herself. I hired Monica when I was at a low point in my business. I had just moved across the country from Arizona to Indiana, I was rebuilding my client base and trying to understand my new territory. The new clients were coming very slowly and my income was low. I was frustrated after six months with very few results. Believe it or not, I even considered closing my business and getting a job. Monica analyzed my business and gave me a few strategies to employ right away.
One of the 1st things she told me to do involved writing a dream budget. She told me that I was great at making any amount of money work to accomplish a specific goal, whether for myself or my clients, but she asked me what I would do in my own life if there were more money than the budget even needed? I mean, I had never asked myself that question. Don’t we always think the budget won’t have enough? How are you supposed to act if there were actually more than enough? She told me to write down what more than enough would look like in my house. Wow, was that eye-opening!
In order to get me to dream again, she told me to write down everything I really wanted. She asked me what I would do if money was no object. As a result, I created my dream budget. Now I ask you:
What services do you want around your home (landscaping, housekeeping, nanny, etc.)?
What needs to happen so your home is comfortable for you and your guests?
Do you enjoy travel and visiting new places?
Are there activities you’d like to participate in on a regular basis?
What do your kids want that you haven’t been able to provide?
Do you have dreams of paying off your home?
Are there philanthropic opportunities you’d like to capitalize on?
Is it in your heart to give, be a tither, or donate to specific causes on a regular basis?
How do you want to dress and present yourself to the world?
Are there personal care services you’d like every month (massage, manicure, pedicure, etc.)?
Are there educational goals you’d like to pursue? Special classes you’d like to take? Or a new skill you’d like to learn?
Take a moment to write down all of the things you’d like to have and do. Add in amounts for each line item that you wish had money in it.
When I did this exercise, I wrote in funds for a housekeeper, money to save for a newer car, a landscaper, vacations, regular massages, increased funds for retirement and giving, and money to pay off my house early. It was fun to write in amounts that put a smile on my face.
Think about what will bring you true joy and not just collect dust in your home and put those goals in your budget. Total up the new amount. This is your “goal” or “dream” budget.
This is what you are striving for.
Ericka Young
