Unless you win the lottery, no financial plan is going to deliver massive, overnight results that change your life. Even windfall events like getting a major promotion or achieving a big exit from the company you started are all the end result of smaller achievements that gather and sustain momentum towards your ultimate goal.
Whether you want to save more, improve your health, or spend more quality time with your family, this simple three-step process can help you build momentum that will improve your Return on Life in the areas that matter the most to you.
1. Enjoy the View From Your Plateau.
When we feel like we've stalled in our progress towards a goal, we often start looking for quick fixes. These are the kinds of impulses that lead to basements full of unused exercise equipment, kitchen cabinets stuffed with bottles of miracle supplements, boats, sports cars, and a sudden spike in credit card debt.
Rather than feeling stuck, try to use mindfulness and gratitude to appreciate all the good things about where you are right now. Embracing the progress you've made, rather than dwelling on the frustrations you might be feeling in the moment, will get you back in touch with the momentum that brought you this far. That positive mindset will help you make a levelheaded assessment of how to take your next step up the mountain.
2. Aim a Little Lower.
Maybe you can't move into your dream house tomorrow, or vault to the top of your company's ladder before the end of the year. But you can start taking smaller, more incremental steps that will gather momentum towards that long-term goal. Sit down with your spouse and reassess your monthly budget. How much could your financial momentum towards that house increase if you saved 5% more every month? How about 10%? What classes or training could you take to make you a more ideal candidate the next time an executive position opens up?
A healthier you could start tomorrow with your first morning walk. Maybe, by next month, you'll have worked up to a morning jog; in three months, a run. Or, if you feel like your body isn't responding to your usual fitness routine like it once was, work a little harder, faster, or longer. You might try a new sport or exercise, like yoga or tai chi. Pair these fitness improvements with one or two less trips through the drive-thru every week and the accumulation of these improvements will be significant.
3. Hold Yourself Accountable.
The only way for small changes to snowball into a big ROL boost is for you to keep doing them consistently. Integrating your momentum-builders into your daily routine is a great place to start. Exercise first thing in the morning. Pack a lunch so you don't throw off your weekly spending plan. Institute a "No Phones" rule after dinner so your family gets some real face time. Unplug at the end of the night so you can read a chapter for the class you're taking or get some extra sleep so that you hit the ground running tomorrow.
Keeping these activities in your routine requires accountability. Use a blank calendar or a productivity app to keep track of your progress. Share your goals with friends and family who will celebrate wins with you and give you that extra nudge you need on days when you're feeling stuck again. Or work with a coach or a mentor who can provide a more thorough analysis of your planning and your progress.
We’d love to be that kind of motivating and empowering resource for your financial planning goals. If you feel like you’ve lost some forward momentum, make an appointment and let’s work through our interactive Life-Centered Planning tools. Together, we’ll make a plan that can help you start making more progress and getting more ROL from your money.
