3 Words to Remember on Your Personal Debt Journey

Why do we make bad financial decisions?

The answers vary from personal reasons, childhood problems or just our own need to impress others with material things. While some of these reasons are valid, there’s nothing standing in the way of changing our mindsets and habits except ourselves.

Here are 3 words to help inspire you to stay on track during your personal finance journey.

Priorities

Many people mistakenly put their worth in the amount of electronics they own, the houses they live in or the cars they drive. These are just material possessions and aside from adding convenience to our lives, they don’t add much else.

A big step towards financial success is getting your priorities straight.

How do you figure out what your priorities are? Just answer this question. What do you treasure? “Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21 ISV)

What’s most important and valuable to you? What do you spend your time? These are the things that you treasure, these are your priorities. I answered these questions myself a few months ago and it was kind of shocking.

In the past I spent the majority of time working, working and working some more. Even to the point where I lost weight, and got sick from exhaustion. That is not a well balanced life, and that is definitely not where my priorities should lie. While being a good employee is important it’s not THE most important thing in life.

Perfection

Many people don’t know the perfect way to handle money, or how to break old habits. But that doesn’t mean we are losers if we try but fail to get out of debt or keep all the bills paid.

I’m a normal person, just trying to make a living like everyone else. However, what sets me apart from the rest is my that I accept the way I am, and I know what my weaknesses are.

Trying to reach a certain level of perfection will cripple my life and yours too. It’s okay to admit you need help and get advice from people who are more successful or have learned by experience.

You need to push yourself beyond your limits because in the end you will love the journey and be so thankful you did it. Be honest with yourself, and don’t sugar coat the truth.

Purpose

As humans we don’t always want to do what’s logical, to sacrifice in order to save money, or make good financial decisions. We want the convenience and the instant gratification, but in the end we are only hurting ourselves.

I can choose to be indifferent (and pay for it dearly), or I remember the overall purpose in my journey, and keep working towards my goal. You can’t have progress without a purpose, and the only way to understand that is to remind yourself of the why.

Why you make the sacrifices and why you are on this financial journey. I want to make a better life for myself, and my (future) family, so they don’t have to live with wrong money mindsets and paradigms.

The 3 P’s

Getting your priorities in order, rejecting perfection, and reminding yourself of the purpose, are some of the tools you can use to stay on this journey towards success and freedom.

So be truthful about your financial reality, find out what you treasure, and admit when you need help. You won’t do everything perfectly, and that’s perfectly fine.

Photo Credit: ruben i