Most people out there always talk, or worry about how much money they make. They compare salaries for jobs. They get second jobs to supplement their income. They leave jobs to go make more elsewhere. Everything they do in life is based on the final end of year income. How much did that W2 or 1040 claim you made for the year?
Well, I’ve learned that this is the absolute worst way to judge your financial situation. In fact, it doesn’t matter how much you make. Your financial situation has very little to do with your income. It has everything to do, though, with your expenses, or what I like to call your ‘outcome’.
Yesterday, after a frantic last few weeks, my company, Reimagine, finally finished our first commercial. It took about a month or so to complete, from concept to final cut. Over that time period, I had to scramble for money, find odd jobs to pay some bills, sell off any assets I had, cut my expenses, and deal with all the doubt that comes with it. Yet, after yesterday, I can tell you it is all worth it.
There is nothing like the gratification you get from setting a goal and accomplishing it. No one can take it away from you. You set out to do it, you said you would do it, and then you actually come through. Accomplish enough of these small goals, and before you know it, you will turn around one day and realized you just accomplished your big one.
My mother sent me this, as she received a chain letter. I’m not in to those sort of things, but this one has some incredible sayings worth reading and digesting over the course of the day. I was supposed to send this on to many people, but I figured this is a much better outlet.
From the letter….
This is a nice reading but short. This is what the Dalai Lama has to say for 2008.
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s.
Respect for self
Respect for others
Responsibility for your action
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
A few days ago, I wrote about the importance of setting your own pace in the gym (here). Today, I am going to follow up on that idea, but instead of the gym, we are going to talk about life in general.
The main point of the original piece was to teach you to focus on your own pace, and not on someone else’s. This translates into everyday life just as well. Many of us have ambitions, goals, and dreams that are not workout related. Just like a workout, however, we usually put in a little effort each day towards these goals. And just like my last piece, many of us get caught up in other people’s paces as well.
Writing about this is going to cause some laughter in my family. Growing up, I was the total opposite of what I am about to tell you. I had a huge issue with respect. If someone, in my opinion, was mean or disrespectful to me then I unleashed a hell hath fury like never before. What I’ve learned over the years, after much trial and error, is that kindness is more of a killer than any hell hath fury could ever be.
I’m not talking about being nice in general. That should be a given. I am talking about being relaxed, calm, cool, collected, and kind when someone is being completely the opposite to you. Our natural first defense when we feel someone is not being nice is to reciprocate the favor. If you yell I will yell louder. If you throw a temper tantrum, I will out due your tantrum with one of my own, and so on. However, there is a better way.
I have a habit I started in the gym a long time ago. It developed from my family consistently teaching me to push myself. Eventually, this habit of constantly seeing if I can beat my own expectations came about. It is one of the best habits I have.
It probably comes from my competitive nature. I am so competitive that I even compete against myself! But the truth is, this is the best thing we all can do for ourselves, especially when working out. Keeping fit is a challenge in itself, but don’t get caught up in what other people think. Don’t get caught up with anyone but yourself.
Last Thursday, I received my purple belt in Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It was quite an accomplishment for me. For those that don’t know, the belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu go (from low to high): white, blue, purple, brown, black. Getting a purple belt usually takes 3-5 years (took me 4), if you stay consistent and progress. The cool thing about Jiu Jitsu is there is no test to get any belt. You just are ready when someone tells you you are. So getting a purple belt is quite significant because most people don’t ever get that far.
Here’s another video that my Father told me about. It has been all over ESPN this past week, but I’d thought I’d post it anyway. Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing in life. This video is an example of how important doing the right thing can be. Sometimes sportsmanship means more than the sport….ENJOY your weekend.
Most people out there always talk, or worry about how much money they make. They compare salaries for jobs. They get second jobs to supplement their income. They leave jobs to go make more elsewhere. Everything they do in life is based on the final end of year income. How much did that W2 or 1040 claim you made for the year?
