Find Your Center

Spirituality...if that word spooks you or sends up a proverbial warning flag, hang with me for a bit longer as I take you away from what most readers will expect to be a blog post about religion.

Far from it...

The essence of why I ever started the Introspection series rests with my desire to raise a "spiritual" level of awareness of the connectivity we have with a higher plane of consciousness we all possess, whether we know it yet or not.

Our subconscious is connected to a powerful source of energy that allows us to disconnect from the daily "noise" that dominates, diffuses and competes for our attention. The source is a place where that still, small voice of reason and wisdom resides. Some call it God—hence the religious implications—while others refer to it as the Higher Self, Chi, the Universe, Superconsciousness, or the Center. What you personally call it isn't as important or as relevant as the fact that it is very real and very powerful.

Your Center is something you can access at will. It is highly sensitive to the universal flow of energy we call life. It is a container of many sublime virtues, some of which are; joy, creativity, intuition, trust, love, integrity, compassion, and aspiration to name just a few.

Far too many of us are searching for something outside ourselves in an effort to satisfy an internal deficiency. We feel alienated, lonely, empty...incomplete. This feeling should serve as a clear indicator that we are out of synch or off course with our true and intended purpose and that a course correction is in order. Our typical first reaction is to look outside ourselves for solutions—a new car, a new mate, a better job—all of which typically result in only temporary and/or hollow satisfaction at best.

One of the best ways to address an internal deficiency is with an internal approach—an introspection. Simply defined, an introspection is an honest examination or observation of our innermost self from both a conscious and emotional perspective. "Great," you may say, "So how do I go about conducting an introspection?" Good question...

In order to hear the quiet leading of that still, small voice we must enlist the faculties of our Higher Self, or our spirit. The best way to go about doing that is to seek wisdom through meditation, prayer, or contemplative mindful awareness. Unfortunately, society continually bombards us with "conscious overload" placing a high emphasis on conscious and physical interactions that are designed to "stimulate" us and provide fulfillment. Yet, I think we can all agree that despite the array of options we have to achieve that objective, something remains amiss. That something lies at the center of who we truly are.

You may have heard the terms "body, mind, and spirit," yet, there are few sources that teach anything having to do with the imbalance that exists by the absence of a focus on the spiritual. Sure, one could argue that there are religious sources designed to address the spiritual aspect, but as a reminder, this article is not so much about the spirit from a religious point of view as it is from the broader context of a higher plane of consciousness that connects us with the divine resources of love, wisdom, knowledge, happiness...and to one another.

A powerful sense of peace and wisdom exists as we connect with our Center. So how do we access it? An overly simplistic answer can be found through the practice of meditation. Our Center contains a veritable storehouse of valuable insight the likes of which can only be found within a deeper level of consciousness. Meditation allows us to connect with our Center in such a way that connects us with infinite wisdom. Keeping things simple, you should find a quiet place to spend a few moments each day solely for the purpose of introspection through meditation or prayer or mindful awareness. Focus on your breathing while remaining alert to stray thoughts that distract you from being fully present, or aware, in the moment. The benefits of introspection are life-altering. Whatever answers or solace you seek is already an inherent part of you and will be there waiting for you in some form or fashion. All you have to do is make an effort to discover the prize that awaits.

It is true that life will bring us exactly what we ask of it. That which connects us with a higher power of consciousness lies at the Center of who we are and drives us to act according to its leading. So, be careful what you ask while knowing that whatever you ask, you shall indeed receive.  

Until next time!

-G-

"Your Center is that place where your story lies...that place where the truest essence of you resides."                     ~ G. Westfal
                                                                                                                                                 


Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

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Why Character is Important

Good character is built upon sound moral principles. The concept of character can imply a variety of personal attributes including the existence or lack of ethical principles such as honesty, courage, fortitude, loyalty, or sincerity. Character describes a set of virtues or qualities that distinguishes one person from another given varying situations that "test" the parameters of an individual's behavior.

Personal success and achievement is predicated upon the foundation of character, and character is often the result of choices we make that effectively define who we are during a given situation. If a good character-based decision-making process is not present, we'll likely know it from the moment we make a decision that is incongruent with the kind of character that is inconsistent with the foundational principles of success and achievement. Good character can literally help transform us from who we are into whom we wish to become.

Character is the culmination of learned traits. It's not something we're born with. It is something we must take full responsibility for creating. We build character by the standards we uphold, given the varying circumstances we find ourselves in during our lives, no matter what. The character traits we adopt is a personal choice that reflects outwardly inasmuch as it reflects inwardly. In other words, our character is evident to others inasmuch as it is to us. Our character traits are distinguishable between and among us all.

Our character defines who we are and sets the moral standards we uphold as the model for our lives. We build character from certain qualities that we must adopt and instill within ourselves. An honest introspection is typically in order as we face new decisions that require us to form new character traits. Much like the careful nurturing of our mind, body, and spirit, we must also be careful to nurture the qualities we desire to uphold as we form new character traits that define who we are and whom we wish to become.

The really amazing thing about character is that if we're sincerely committed to transforming ourselves into the person we wish to become, we'll not only create those good character qualities, but we'll also strengthen them and re-chart the very course of our lives.

Commit to building your character, starting today. Be mindful of the manner in which you react to given situations while keeping in mind that the manner in which you act or react defines who you are as well as who you wish to become.

Until next time!

-G-

"Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you."



Just released: KEY HORIZON the second novel in the G. Weston series.
Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel series. Please help me by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" my Facebook page.

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The Power of Choice

Wherever you are right now, this very moment, whatever circumstance you're in, it's important to understand that your life is defined by the sum total of the choices you have made to this point. That may be tough for some of us to comprehend. After all, you could probably think of a number of things that are purely "circumstantial". Yet, at any time we wish, we can discipline ourselves to change it all because we are not defined by our circumstances but by our reaction to the circumstances of life. We can choose to open our mind to new knowledge, concepts, attitudes, or beliefs. At any time we wish, we can begin a new activity or chart a totally new course for our lives. We can make subtle changes or radical shifts that will literally re-chart the course of our lives. We can do it now with one single source of power - Choice!

Every one of us has the power of choice but only a select few recognize the differences it can make in our lives if we'll just use it effectively. Far too many yield to the pressures of life and choose comfort over effort, entertainment over education, doubt over conviction. Every one of us has the power to have anything we can imagine from life. It all begins and ends with...Choice!

We cannot allow our fears or uncertainties to lead us down the wrong path and prevents us from making the right choices for our lives, because concession or denial is also a choice and can be just as powerful. Instead, why not make choices that make the biggest difference in the construct of our lives? We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning right NOW! So decide right now to make one choice that will bring change, happiness and joy into your life. Then repeat the process until you form a new habit of making wise choices and watch your life begin to transform.

Another thing to consider is a practice referred to as mindfulness. It's a simple but powerful concept that refreshes (or awakens) the mind to the gift of life that surrounds us all right now. Begin by pushing irrelevant thoughts from your mind and stepping into the present moment. In so doing, you focus less on the fears that drive your life but the very things that bring you real happiness. More on this topic in a later blog. For now, choose wisely...after all, the course of your very life depends upon it.  

What are your thoughts? Post a comment below...

Until next time!

- G -

"You can make a decision...or not. Either way, you have chosen."   G. Westfal -

If you enjoyed this article, you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

----------------------------------

Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.
Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and order your copy today!
And look for my next novel, Key Horizon, to be released soon.
 

Receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog, visit my Facebook page:
 G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

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How Do We get From Here to There?

How do we get from here to there?  Where exactly is “there” anyway? If you’ve ever wondered how some people just seem to have a knack for having more in life, you’re not alone.

It’s not inherently wrong to desire more. We can’t help it actually. We’re naturally programmed toward “more” as a basic tenet of our survival instinct. If this is true then why are we consistently met with obstacles in our pursuit of more? One of the least obvious reasons is that we haven’t given ourselves permission. Oh sure, we may “think” we’re ready. After all, who among us isn’t ready to handle a boatload of lottery winnings for example?

Answer: Most every one of us.

Reason: Our limited programming is almost always in the way.

It’s an accepted fact that our subconscious mind does not know the difference between reality and imagination. Think of the many times you watched a movie. How many times were your emotions stirred, your fears ignited or your adrenaline spiked as a result of watching the scenes play out? The proof of our psychological and physiological reactions to a movie is the proof of the power of our subconscious mind over our conscious mind.

It does not know the difference between real and imagined because there are no filters at the subconscious level. It simply reacts according to the stimulus it is exposed to because everything it is exposed to is believed to be real. You can use this fact to your advantage in your personal development efforts.

In order to affect change in your own life you must begin to play your own movie by visualizing the changes you desire. Begin by incorporating as many of the five senses as you can into your visualizations. The more vivid your visualizations, the better your results will be. I hear many achievement experts talking about creating a burning desire. I believe a burning desire is a basic element of creating an effective and convincing visualization and is essential in keeping us on track to achieving more. This is the first step toward reprogramming your mind for real and lasting change. The more you fight for a belief, the more you own it.

It has been said that the subconscious mind is five times more powerful than the conscious mind. Yet very few people are even aware of the power they have to control the direction of their lives using their own conscious thoughts (think choices and decisions), let alone the potential that exists in the subconscious mind.

Remember, you can AFFECT more as you BECOME more. Your sphere of influence is increased commensurately as your limited thinking is decreased. The only way it’s going to decrease however, is if you take control of your thoughts and actions and redirect them in a manner that supports your desire to achieve more.  

Our thoughts send energy outward from ourselves into the universe toward what I call “the Source.” The Source is that which we originated from and that which we truly are. It is our wisdom connection. Some may choose to believe that the Source is God, while others believe it is a collective of human consciousness. However you personally decide to believe is up to you as long as you understand there is a higher power that is ready and willing to facilitate your every desire. I know because I live it and experience it daily. You already have the knowledge you need. You can choose to change any aspect of your life that you desire at any time. You can even go for a total makeover if that’s your desire. The only limitation is your own limited thinking telling you that change is not possible.

We’ve been taught throughout our lives that our best form of learning is through experience, sometimes painful experiences. What if I told you there was a different way, a better and an even faster way? What if you could learn with grace and ease without chaos and confusion? Remember, you already have the answers within.

You are the sum total of the decisions and choices you’ve made to this very point in your life. The “circumstances” you find yourself in right now are the collective result of how you see your life. But we must remember that we are not defined by our circumstances, rather by our attitude in those circumstances and our resolve to change them. For some of us, that’s a good thing as we’ve manifested good things by the decisions and choices we’ve made in our lives. These decisions and choices manifest our circumstances and affect the very manner we see and experience life. We demonstrate our own reality to ourselves every day of our life. If we have sadness, poor health, lack or deficiency in our finances, we tend to adopt this perspective and begin to consider it our reality. The reason we create this reality is that we’re good people doing the wrong thing for the right reason. The right reason is that we want to be loved and to perpetuate good. The wrong thing, fortunately, is rather simple to fix.

It’s time for you to WAKE UP to the fact that YOU are the creator of your own experience. That’s powerful enough for you to read it again. You have the ability to create your own experiences. And today, I’m here to tell you how to do that. You can touch, feel, taste, and experience anything you desire. In fact, if it’s a desire, it’s already meant for you. You could go so far as to say, it’s your destiny. You just have to acknowledge it and step out of the way and allow it to perpetuate, materialize, and manifest itself. The truth is that you only need to change one person in your life to improve your life: yourself.

In order to connect to the Source you must program your subconscious mind to accept your conscious thoughts. You must get out of your own way in order to bring about the very changes you seek. Your inherent biases must be effectively dealt with and set aside in order to fully manifest your desires. You must SHIFT the energy of acceptance by removing doubt, fear, and uncertainty. You deserve more.

We’re told to avoid negative thinking “at all costs.” I take that lesson pretty seriously in my own life. However, it’s OK to engage your negative thinking in order to affectively eliminate it. These limiting thoughts are in the way of your desires so they must be dealt with in order to make room for new things that are on their way to you the second you begin to visualize your desires.

Here are some real steps you can take TODAY to affect change in your life, to empower yourself to achieve more. I call it the Empowerment Process. Approach this process with an open mind and an expectation that your desires will come to fruition. The are absolutely no reasons for them not to materialize.

Find a quiet and relaxing place and time to conduct the following simple exercise to connect with your source.

1.       Accept the fact that you’re already in relationship with a higher power.

2.      Relax and visualize. This has a grounding effect through a connection with that which has come before us: earth, minerals, the wisdom of generations, energy. Begin to see yourself firmly “grounded” to the earth beneath your feet.

3.      Radiate: You are an abundant source of energy that radiates from within. Turn up the radiation dial of your energy. Watch as the aura that surrounds you increases its intensity. Bask in the warmth that radiates from your core. This is a precursor to the transitory state of aligning yourself with what you already are: energy.

4.      Transition: Close your eyes, tilt your head back slightly, and look up as if looking into your subconscious mind. Imagine an intense golden beam of light emanating from your body through your forehead, through the ceiling, through the clouds, the stars, and the edge of the universe where everything transitions from blue to black. You notice a speck of light in the distance and project yourself to it instantly. Welcome to the Source. This is the place of limitless possibilities; a place where you can create anything you desire. A place where “more” is automatically assumed and freely granted.

5.      Expression: Silently communicate to the Source. Say these words:

“I don’t know how I’m going to achieve more, I only know I will, and I am grateful.”

As you say these words focus on the very reason you are here. Is it poor health, insufficiency, failing relationships, the need for inspiration? Let go of the burden and allow the solution to find its way to you. It is here where you’ll find it.

6.      Expand: You are in the presence of the Source so why not spend a moment to allow your mind to enjoy the experience. It’s as important to listen as much as it is to communicate. As you absorb the experience of this place, allow your mind to absorb the wisdom that exists here. Be perceptive to any insights or inspiration you may gather. It’s not unrealistic for your desires to begin to materialize even before you return to a fully conscious state of mind. Before you return, silently thank the Source.

7.      Gratitude: Begin to relax your eyes and return your eyes and head to a more natural and comfortable position as you unwind and allow the energy of your experience to find its way into every fiber of your being, every part of your physical, emotional, and intellectual body. Watch with a confident smile as your old limiting beliefs recede to make room for your new empowering insights, thoughts, and inspiration. Become aware of your physical body once again, and when you’re ready, open your eyes once again.

After following these simple but powerful steps you should know with confidence that you have downloaded new programming into your mind. Unlike affirmations, you won’t need to repeat your command because it is now part of you. Pretty cool, huh? Your only responsibility at this point is to know that you are positioned to receive.

Should any doubts emerge, meet them in the moment by declaring an opposing statement that supports your desires. Your doubts and uncertainties will fade as you begin to see the power of this process. In fact, the experience of the empowerment process is typically more joyous than the results it brings. You’ll want to repeat the process often as it is, after all, who we truly are.  

Until next time!

- G -


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Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com
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If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator To get your copy of my novel Dream Operative, visit my website or click here. Be sure to look for my next novel, Key Horizon, coming soon.

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column. You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative. And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.

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Perspective

I met a man last night who had never before flown in an airplane until he had taken the bold step to do so a few days before to attend his sister's retirement. A generally quiet man of fifty-one years, he lives a simple life with his three dogs on the Chesapeake Bay and provides for himself through an honest days work in the construction business in Virginia.

I listened as he described the experience of his first flight. His childlike account of the experience gave me pause as I considered my own life and the many things I take for granted and consider normal or routine.
 
As he spoke, it occurred to me that the perspectives we have of life are as diverse as each and every one of us. Oftentimes, we see only one perspective and begin to consider it to be absolute, at least as it applies to our own lives. But when we take the bold step into the unknown, our eyes are opened to perspectives that reveal life in new and fresh and fascinating ways.

For this man the perspective was literal. For the first time in his life he saw the Earth's landscape from varying altitudes of flight from the window seat he occupied. He told me how amazed he was at the detail of the vast landscape of the eastern seaboard and went on to describe how he pressed his face against the window in childlike astonishment when he would see cars, buildings, trees, and waterways. He watched as the pilot retracted the flaps and set the aircraft aloft as the forces of gravity acted upon his body - physiological experiences he had never before encountered. He was present in a moment of sensory euphoria that allowed him to savor that moment, to capture details most of us take for granted when we fly.

Perspective can be literal, like the first-time experience on an airplane that opens the aperture of the eye and thus the mind. Or it can be figurative, like an attitude or alternative point of view, which also opens the mind. There's a lesson for all of us either way you consider it. The lesson is rather simple actually.

Open your mind to new perspectives!

If we allow but one perspective to dominate our lives, we remain hidden within the confines of our own decisions. The unknown remains hidden, the routine becomes the norm, and we rob ourselves of the fascination of personal growth. Stretch the limits of your imagination, set aside your fears and biases, a consider the freshness and fascination of a new perspective.

Until next time!

 

- G -

You must look within for insight, but look beyond for perspective. 
Dennis Waitley -

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Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative. Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and order your copy today!

Receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column. You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative. And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.

Please visit my All American Warriors! bog at: http://allamericanwarriors.blogspot.com/

Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com

Where Will You be in Five Years!

Where will you be in five years?

Boy, talk about your open-ended questions. When we don’t have any idea where we’ll be next week, much less in five years, most of us feel we’re doing great just to get through today. So where do I get off posing such a thought-provoking question?

If you’re one of the fortunate few who happen to be right where you want to be in life, then this article is less about you and perhaps more about someone you can help. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you that even the most content among us have desires to be someplace other than  we currently are or someone we have not yet become. So let’s assume for a moment that we all have a desire to be something more, even if it’s merely as a higher income earner. OK, point established. Now what?

Well, now we need a clearly defined objective or destination. But before we can realistically expect to establish that, we must first make an honest assessment of where we currently are. Like any good roadmap, it’s only good if you know where you are and know where you’re headed.

First thing’s first–Where am I?

Here’s the great news–wherever you are in life, whatever status or station you occupy...isn’t permanent. For the majority of us, that’s a very good thing. Equally as relevant–for the majority of us, we’ll be in a better place assuming we continue to gain skills and experience

that’ll position us for higher rewards down the line. But it is imperative that we take stock of where we are–good, bad, or indifferent, in order to establish a starting point for our journey.  

So, take a good hard look at your life and be brutally honest about where you are. Take note of all that you like about it inasmuch as what you dislike about it. Each fundamental element contains the nuances of your current stage of life. Now don’t get too comfortable with it because we’re getting ready to leave the station and begin the journey.

Where am I headed?

Now, begin to create a mental picture of what your ideal life looks like and focus on that picture as it develops over time. Use the images as a catalyst that drives you away from where you no longer wish to be, but focus instead on that place you desire to be. Use both positive and negative elements to drive you to take action to do something each day to put one foot ahead of the other.

A great deal of us continually educate ourselves either formally or informally, and in doing so, we continue to enjoy the rewards of that higher education in the form of personal growth, increased responsibility and influence, and higher income. Education is a cornerstone in our quest to get to where we desire to be. Life is a learning process. And it’s fair to mention here that street smarts as sometimes just as important as formal education…just keep looking for ways to learn and grow.

How do I get there?

Once you have a clear picture of where you desire to be, you should continue to develop the images that support it. Place images on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator that personifies the lifestyle you know you can achieve! Look for ways to invigorate your journey and savor the milestones you achieve along the way. Break your timeline into achievable segments and celebrate short-term victories along the way. There are few things sweeter than knowing you’ve taken a significant step closer to your goals and aspirations. The peace of mind and confidence that accompanies it is indescribable.

Break five years down to five months, five weeks, or even five days…or five minutes. The value of your life is worth even the five minutes you take to consider the intent of this article. Look, if you can decide in five minutes do something positive for five days that takes you closer to realizing your dream in five months and then five years out, then I suggest you operate in manageable "bite-sized" increments until you can handle a timeline that works for you. Every incremental effort of progress takes you that much closer to realizing your potential to become that which you desire.

In order to make a significant change in your life down the road it only takes a small effort today. But that effort needs to have consistency and commitment behind it. A one-degree course change in your life today will put you on a different, life-changing path for the future. Make the commitment today to take control of your life and get it done! You have ONE life…no one will magically come along and change it for you!

Five years…five months…five weeks…five days…five minutes…what’ll it be? Don’t be stranded by your own misconceptions. You have what it takes to control the very destiny of your life.

 

Until next time!

 

- G -

"Time has a way of reminding us of its perishable nature in the retrospect of our reflections."

Gary Westfal -

If you enjoyed this article, you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

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Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative. Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and order your copy today!

Receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column. You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative. And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.

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Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com

 

Time Value of Money

If you’re younger than thirty years old, you possess the single most desirable component of the investing universe–time. Time is the one factor that is the most powerful when it comes to your money growth.  If you haven’t yet hit the big 3-0, you have a lot more going for you than you may realize. A little sacrifice now can produce huge rewards for you over the next several years if you follow a few basic rules. So, in essence, you have an investing advantage that a lot of “older” people don’t–time.

 

To make the most of the advantage of time and money during this phase of your life, you should consider these 5 basic truths. Apply them and watch the essence of your financial outlook take shape before your very eyes.

 

1.      Start Now.

There’s no time like the present to radically affect the future, especially when we’re talking about your financial future. When I was twenty-four years old I was fortunate enough to have a friend, a mentor, who stressed the importance of starting early when it came to investing for my financial future. After I had exhausted just about every excuse I could muster on reasons not to invest, he introduced me to the magic of compound interest. It was all I could do to contain my excitement.

I began by reconstructing my finances and my way of thinking. Doing so put my financial future on a very different path than it was on. I started by putting aside $25 per payday. At first, it was one of the toughest things to do. Not so much because I needed the money, but more because I was used to consuming the entirety of my paycheck on things my family and I “needed.” Since then, I’ve learned quite a bit about recognizing a true need from a fleeting desire. What a difference it has made.

I gradually increased the contributions to my savings. My first goal was to be able to save 10% of my income. I managed to hit that goal rather quickly, not because of pay raises (although with every raise since then I have put aside a portion for savings) but because the desire for financial freedom was stronger than the desire for immediate gratification.

As the amount of my savings grew I became even more motivated. I increased to 15% and then to 20% and to a figure that you would likely find difficult to believe today, all while increasing my standard of living.

If you simply cannot see a way to set something aside, keep reading. Perhaps some of the remaining concepts will help you to discover areas that’ll free up money within your personal budget so you too can start now. Remember, nothing begets nothing; while something compounded increases itself. In other words, if you do (or save) nothing, nothing is exactly what you’ll have. Absolutely no one cares about your money like you do. Take control now!

 

2.  Live within your means.

One of the toughest financial concepts to control is the ability to live within our means. Oftentimes, it takes more of a psychologically disciplined approach because of the inevitable competing demands for our money, not to mention our appetite for a quality lifestyle.

As we begin to make money, most of us tend to begin building a lifestyle just beyond what we can afford, effectively living outside our means, because after all, we expect to get raises and grow into a lifestyle. Why not push it a bit to “get ahead?” We begin to rationalize our desires by re-labeling them as needs. What occurred to me over the years as I was saving a significant portion of my income was the fact that I never felt as though I had sacrificed my standard of living. My family and I simply became accustomed to living well within our means while validating the relevancy of desires versus needs. Buying a car, getting married, and purchasing a house are just a few of those needs. Here’s a tip: no one really cares what kind of car you drive. Sure, the BMW hard-top convertible is nice, but is it worth sacrificing your financial future for? Keep in mind that a car is among the biggest obstacles between you and the success of a secure financial. Apply the car example to just about any aspect of the concept of living within your means and you’ll quickly realize the essence of the magic behind this truth. By the way, some people never realize this foundational truth. So master it and watch how you soar past your peers as they wonder just how you’re doing it.

 

3.     Pay down debt.

Every dollar that’s tied up in paying down debt is one less we can use to save for the future. Create a plan to reduce debt by devising a plan and sticking to it, which will, in turn, allow you to allocate more money toward your savings. This concept could not be truer than for credit card liabilities. Find a way to reduce or eliminate your credit card purchases. Few will disagree on the amount of stress credit cards can bring into our lives. Take control as soon as humanly possible. Transfer balances from high-interest cards to those with lower rates. Ideally, find a card with a 0% introductory APR, and pay the balance off in full before the zero-percent interest clock stops. And seriously consider how your next credit card purchase will affect your savings plan the next time you feel compelled to use it.

 

4.     Fund retirement accounts.

Building a solid foundation for retirement right now is critically important. With compound interest rates accumulating over time, until retirement, the principle amount you have to save today to meet your goals pales in comparison to amounts you’ll need if you wait. By starting now, versus the less desirable alternative of waiting, you effectively “automatically” increase your gradual standard of living simply because of the power of time. Should you decide that waiting is your only alternative, it is still a better choice than not investing at all. Realize however, that the time value of money is extremely difficult to recoup and is a rather expensive missed opportunity. The amount of money one must invest in order to compensate for a “late start” increases exponentially over time. Why not act today while you have time on your side along with the advantage of tax-deferred (and in some cases, even tax-free) growth opportunities that comes with retirement accounts?

Put aside as much as possible into your retirement plan at work and at least enough to receive the maximum match your employer offers. Not doing so effectively results in a net loss to your bottom line because you miss out on “reward” money your employer is offering for your commitment to save money for yourself. If you can squeeze out even more money from your budget, contribute to a Roth IRA as long as you qualify for doing so.

Make a promise to yourself and enlist the commitment of your partner to ensure the money you’re saving for retirement won’t be used until then. Sure, you can take money out of a 401(k) or IRA before you retire if you absolutely must, but there’s generally a penalty–and taxes, too–for doing so.

 

5.     Change your financial mindset.

For some of you, retirement may seem like such a distant concept. And, for those fortunate to say that, good for you! Allow it to be a green flag that gives you permission to begin your journey toward a secure financial future. The sooner you get started, the better off you’ll be…the further ahead of your peers you’ll be, the sooner you can claim financial independence, quit your job, spend time with family, play golf, drive what you want to drive, live where you want to live…how you want to live. By adopting sensible money habits, conquering your debts, and saving for retirement early in life, you’ll reap the reward of a secure retirement.

Until next time!

- G -

"Time has a way of reminding us of its perishable nature in the retrospect of our reflections."

Gary Westfal -

 

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