“If only I knew then what I know now. Why didn’t they teach us this at school?”
I hear it all the time. Let’s make sure you’re not the one saying it in twenty years.
Time Is The One Thing You Can’t Get Back
You might think you’re working towards the day you get to do what you really want. But look closely, and a lot of what you’re doing might just be a distraction.
If your money isn’t where you want it, and you keep doing what you’re doing, how are you going to fund your dreams? Or will they just stay dreams?
If you’re doing what most people are doing, it’s time to face it: unless something changes, you may never get to do what you’ve set your heart on. You’ll simply run out of time — and end up relying on the same government payments millions of Australians already depend on.
The Three Stages Of A Learned Life
Here’s one way of looking at it. A little cynical, maybe — but see if it rings true.
- The adventure stage. Everything’s new. Every day’s exciting. You can’t wait for the future and you’re counting your dreams.
- The work stage. Life on autopilot. You drift through your twenties, thirties, forties and fifties doing the familiar. Surviving. If a question pops up about whether there’s more to it, you’re too busy to deal with it.
- The “if only” stage. Society says it doesn’t need you anymore. Life gets measured in regrets and missed chances. “If only I’d known.”
The “if only” stage is about living in the past. And because people live there, they miss the fact that their present could still be different.
No Good Excuse For Giving Up
You’ve heard it. Someone says “if only” — and then does nothing, because they’ve convinced themselves their chance has gone?
“If only” becomes an excuse not to act now. They didn’t know it ten years ago, so it must be too late.
Not Knowing Something Yesterday Isn’t An Excuse Not To Know It Today. It’s Only An Excuse Not To Go Forward.
And not going forward is choosing the rules of convention, and staying in your comfort zone.
Your Move
Take a few minutes and be honest with yourself: which stage are you in right now? And which stage do you want to be living in ten years from now?
Mitch LingardMoney Mentor at Black Belt Results. Former representative rugby league player, martial artist and dad — now putting other people in the room with black belts in wealth. Get In Touch or Book A Call.