Sometimes it's the small things.
I've challenged myself this week only to spend the cash in my wallet ($8 and change), and so far it is going exceptionally well. The only money I have spent is $2.25 on a slice of pizza.
This challenge has gotten me thinking about how small challenges and short-term goals are incredibly valuable tools as we work towards a larger goal. In this case my larger goal is to reduce my spending so I can save more towards a big trip this summer. That trip is 9 months away, so focusing on the trip to save money isn't very realistic for me. However, since I love challenges, a bunch of small goals along the way could potentially make a big difference in the amount of money I save.
A good example of this is when I go for a run. My ultimate goal may be six miles, but to get there I focus on something closer. First I focus on the weird looking tree, once I get there I decide to focus on getting up the hill, then I just want to enjoy the run down the hill, and so on it goes until I've run six miles.
I also use this method when I have big projects at work. When I'm feeling overwhelmed I make a to do list and start with the quickest and easiest tasks. Before I know it I've checked off half the list and the project doesn't seem so daunting anymore.
Since it works so well for different aspects of my life, it makes sense to use this system for my financial goals. This way, rather than only focusing on the larger goal, I can spend time just challenging myself to see if I can pull off a week on $8 (not so hard to do when you went grocery shopping the week before).
While we should never forget the larger picture, sometimes focusing on the smaller steps can help us get there.
Photo by aldoaldoz
6 comments:
Oooh, you are so right and I am going to jump on the bandwagon with you! Now I just have to come up with some small goals that will gradually help me accomplish my big ones. Thanks for the post!
This is such a great idea!! I always seem to take on too much and then usually fall short of my goals. Maybe if I scale things down a little I'll be able to accomplish them in full with baby steps.
I do the same thing when I go running... I call them my "check points". If I feel tired or if I want to stop, I try to push myself until I reach that bush or that lamp post. It helps me run more, run farther, and stay focused.
Hahaha... I do exactly the same thing when I run. "You can make it to the end of the block..." And once I'm at the end of the block: "You can make it to the tree up there..." And so it goes. =)
Good luck saving for the trip!
I really like your idea of having these smaller, obtainable goals. I'm going to think about how I can use that idea in my life!
Couldn't agree more. Small things do really matter and it add up to make bigger things. It's just that they are too many for most people that they tend to give up on looking and analyzing at them! One of the reason too that there are questions like , "What I have bought this month? Seems that my wallet is full from the last payday and here I am now, almost short till the next payday!". Good luck on saving for your summer trip, by reading your post, I know you can do it!
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