A few weeks ago I wrote a post called: The Law of Attraction and Personal Finance Bloggers. Basically, in that post I talked about the fact that it isn’t a coincidence that PF bloggers for the most part successfully reach the goals that they set for themselves. What I didn’t really get into were the ways that I’m setting my own personal intentions so that I can have what I want in life. In sharing my process I want to encourage those of you who are struggling to reach your goals to think about what you would be willing to do to create your dream life. Yes, this is another one of my hippy trippy posts. Just give it a chance 🙂 The Process in several (deceptively) simple steps:
- Decide what you want.
- Be audacious. Dream big!
- Be single minded.
- Everything you do must be in alignment with your goals.
- Let go and let your hard work/intentions create your reality.
- Set a timeline. Don’t be shy about this. Maybe you’re off by a month or two-that’s ok!
- Share your intention with people who won’t question your sanity! Share your intentions with people who will support you…even if they don’t totally “get” it.
- Create a mantra and tell yourself everyday what you want for you!
- Get out of your own way and push through your comfort zone.
My Process:
- I decided what I want! My goals are audacious!
- To be debt free!
- To get married, have a kid…maybe two
- Location Independent work-be able to work from anywhere. I also want to make substantially more than I do now
- I would like to do a 2 year travel journey. The first year would be Asia/Europe/ and Australia/New Zealand
- The second year of that journey would be in South America. My husband and kid will be amazing travel companions.
- To run a 1/2 marathon
- To help my mom out not because she needs the help, but because I want to.
- To pay off my mortgage
- To pay off my mom’s mortgage
- To purchase additional investment property
- To create passive income
- To become fluent in another language. Spanish first!
2.) Being single minded/doing everything to be aligned with my goals
- This one is tricky because you don’t want to drive yourself crazy or be thought of as a crazy. I am working on meeting “the One.” It is not as easy to do as one would think. I am notorious for dating unavailable read: Foreign, about to travel overseas, a little too young-but REALLY hot guys! So, I have stopped dating all of the above guys. Even though they’re fun, and hot, and totally unavailable. I’ve even read a book called “Calling in the One”that is actually a course that helps people pinpoint the roadblocks that are keeping them from finding lasting love. You can’t just read the book. You also have to do the work at the end of each chapter. It was very enlightening, a bit surprising, and a little scary! I learned a lot about myself and will continue to meditate on the activities that I did in the book. No, I don’t plan on buying a wedding dress before meeting someone. However, now I don’t feel as judgmental about those ladies who do. They are being clear about what they want. An interesting thing has begun to happen since I’ve focused on being in alignment with what I truly want. Guys have been hitting on me like crazy. Maybe not the one, but I feel like he is on his way.
Google Pic
- ***I have started a wedding fund and I’m not ashamed to admit it.*** I’m serious about this sh$t! I have also started saving for the two year trip. Again, I’m am serious about this. I don’t want to read in the comments-“Well at least you’ll have a savings in case what you’re hoping for doesn’t happen.” That’s bullish$t. I’ve set my intention support it-even if you don’t get it. It’s going to happen. I will also support whatever intentions you’ve set. No questions asked.
- Being single minded about debt/finances-I have made more progress taking care of my debts this summer than I have in really long time. I am finding that the more I focus on side hustles, saving money, etc. the more that things are starting to come together. I am being clear with my friends, family, etc. about what I want and every day I focus on debt freedom, wealth building, and freedom. I have also set a time frame to achieve all of these goals. I am hoping to take care of the majority of these goals in the next two years. Every day I am either blogging about money, reading about someone else’s financial journey, reading books about finances, or I’m doing things that are in alignment with my values. It is almost an obsession 🙂 But, not an annoying one because I am excited about crossing the finish line. The great thing about reading pf blogs is that there i always someone out there who has reached their goals! This month the blogger at the American Debt Project paid off her debt! Last month it was Bridget at Money after Graduation and Michelle at Making Sense of Cents. A few months before that it was Cat at Blonde on a Budget. They are all like you and I, working hard, trying their best, making mistakes from time to time-but focused! And, they got it done!
Google pic
3.) Share your intention with loved ones who will support you! So far I’ve shared my intentions with:
- My mom
- My bff
- My friends at work
- My friend the Doctor in Residency
- My friend the Russian
- My friend who was “let go” and now is moving to Hawaii
- You! My blogging peeps..my wing people!
Setting an intention is uncomfortable because you are being forced to dream big in a world that wants to talk you out of dreaming audaciously. Other people are afraid of people who have the courage, and the balls to walk a path that is different from the norm. Why? Because they might not be at the point where they trust themselves to take the leap of faith (and do the hard work) needed to make their dreams happen. Don’t bother trying to get people to “get it” if they don’t, then they don’t. I know it’s strange that:
- I’ve begun saving for a wedding-when I haven’t even met someone.
- I know that it is weird to say that I have begun saving for a 2 year trip with said husband-but, I don’t care. I’ve begun to save.
- I know that it is strange to talk about being debt free when it’s not even close to being a reality.
- I really don’t care what the naysayers think. I know what I’m capable of doing-they don’t. I only care about what I tell myself everyday when I look in the mirror.
I’ve realized that if I don’t believe in my dreams, no one else will.
What do you want for yourself? Have you set the intention? How are you working towards what you want for yourself? Did you feel strange about telling people what you dream about-for yourself?
Calling in the One!Katherine Woodward
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I love it Michelle! Not much I can add because I think you nailed it and I love your goals. I don’t think it’s weird at all to have a wedding fund started, just as someone who might be single has a baby fund. I think it makes you focus that much harder on your goal. I’m not reading that book, but I am reading “It’s just a f*cking date” but the people who wrote “he’s just not that into you.” It’s less metaphysical and more practical and funny…and true. LIke talking about how you shouldn’t get sucked into the non-date date…ie “let’s hang out sometime.” Uh, no. 🙂 I have no doubt you will achieve anything you set your heart and mind to.
I need to read that book! I hadn’t even thought about the non-date date. I am hoping that I don’t come across like a creeper. I just am ready for the next phase in my life. I was very noncommittal about EVERYTHING for a really long time and that didn’t serve me well. Now, I am committed to getting what I want and not being shy about letting the world know what I am looking for.
I LOVE this post! Good for you, Michelle, for knowing what you want and going after it!
I may “steal” this idea — in the sense that I want to write down what’s really important to me and how I plan to get there :).
Steal it! Write down everything. The funny thing is-this isn’t the first time that I’ve focused in this way. I’ve done this on and off throughout my life. I’d just forgotten about the process that I embraced before to get what I wanted. I basically ate, slept, thought about, breathed anything and everything that would help me reach my goal. Marriage, debt payoff, and losing weight are really intimidating. But, I have read numerous posts from a number of fabulous regular people who worked hard and got what they wanted. It’s my turn now! I just have to believe, work for it, and focus.
I love the intention and passion that you have! No one calls parents that save of a college fund crazy, so I don’t see why they would think saving for your wedding is crazy. Same principle. The kids ARE GOING to college (NO QUESTIONS) in the same way that Michelle will have her man in the near future. Completely feel you.
You know what? You’re right! Once I have the kids I will also be saving for their college. I’ve basically passed the point where I’m afraid to voice my dreams and I believe that I deserve happiness and love just as much as the next person. It’s just not falling into my lap So, I’m going to have get over any fears, doubts, or crazy thoughts that might be going through my mind.
I love this! I found that I couldn’t do it the same way. I wanted debt freedom first, then I thought I’d realign. I couldn’t figure out, with a fixed income, how to save up for something and also get out of debt.
The wedding fund and the travel fund are relatively new. I’m just putting in small amounts every time money crosses my path. Right now it’s a small amount because the priority is debt repayment! Wish me luck.
Good to know you’re reaching your goals, Michelle. Keep up the good work!
We’ll need to check in a year and see how everyting goes 🙂
“I’ve realized that if I don’t believe in my dreams, no one else will. ”
YES.
Not weird at all!
Hit us up when you visit NZ, will ya! You can crash with us, or at least we can help you plan your trip around the country 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words! They are appreciated-and I will DEFINITELY crash with you when I visit New Zealand! I’m a great guest-I’ll even cook for you 🙂
Long-term goals should be defined in line with what you really want and should be related to shorter-term goals which will allow these things. For you wedding, you need many things. One is money, one is a man. Therefore, its not crazy to be saving now for this event. One out of two ticked!! 🙂
The same thing applies for the holiday.
Long-term goals don’t need to have everything in place right now to be able to achieve them. If they did, they would be short-term goals!!
Good luck.
I love this comment! I just went to a Speed Dating event last night and really enjoyed it. Will keep saving money for both and focusing. Lol.